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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...
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Global Stocks Head for Worst Week Since March Amid Central Bank Rate Hikes and Profit Warnings

Global Stocks Head for Worst Week Since March Amid Central Bank Rate Hikes and Profit Warnings




According to BNN Bloomberg, global stocks are heading for their worst week since March as worries about China and higher global interest rates. This has pushed up bond yields and heightened fears of recession. 

This downturn is reflective of the uncertainty prevailing in financial markets, with a combination of factors contributing to the downward spiral. Anxieties over the resurgence of COVID-19 variants, coupled with potential tapering of central bank stimulus measures and supply chain disruptions, have created a perfect storm of uncertainty, prompting investors to reevaluate their positions and adopt a more cautious approach.

The week's market performance has been characterized by sharp declines and wild swings, with major indices across the world experiencing significant losses. These fluctuations have underscored the delicate balance that currently exists between economic recovery and the challenges posed by ongoing global issues. As central banks grapple with the decision of when and how to reduce their monetary support, and as nations work to manage and mitigate the impact of pandemic-related disruptions, the markets remain in a state of heightened vulnerability. Investors are carefully monitoring economic data, public health developments, and policy decisions, all of which will play crucial roles in determining whether this downward trend will persist or if markets will regain their footing in the weeks to come.


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