Skip to main content

Featured

Canada’s Jobless Rate Rises to 6.8% Despite December Hiring

          A employee sorts batteries on a conveyor belt at a recycling facility in Port Colborne, Ontario. Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.8% in December , even though the economy added 8,200 jobs during the month. The increase in unemployment wasn’t driven by widespread layoffs but by a surge in the number of people entering the labour force and actively looking for work. December Highlights Unemployment rate: Up from 6.5% to 6.8% Employment: Net gain of 8,200 jobs Labour force: Expanded significantly, outpacing job creation Full-time work: Increased Part-time work: Declined Why the Rate Rose Economists point out that the rise in unemployment reflects renewed labour market participation , not a weakening economy. More Canadians felt confident enough to start job hunting, but hiring didn’t keep pace with the influx of job seekers. This marks the fourth straight month of employment growth , yet December also saw the largest increas...

article

How Enbridge, Open Text and other stocks moved on Wednesday


The stock market saw some notable movements on Wednesday, as several companies reported their earnings or made strategic announcements. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Enbridge (ENB-T) rose 1.2 per cent after it forecast higher core earnings and raised its dividend for 2024. The pipeline operator expects higher demand and volumes across its network, as well as lower costs and capital spending. The company also said it had secured funding for over 75 per cent of its US$9.4-billion bid to buy three utilities from Dominion Energy.
  • Open Text (OTEX-T) increased 1 per cent after it sold off a mainframe-computer business it acquired earlier this year from Micro Focus for US$2.275-billion. The company said it would use the proceeds to improve its financial position and focus on its cloud and artificial intelligence businesses. Analysts said the divestiture would enhance Open Text’s valuation and profitability.
  • Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD-T) slid 3.2 per cent despite reporting stronger-than-expected second-quarter results The convenience store and gas station operator saw solid fuel margins and cost control, but also faced softening in U.S. same-store sales due to lower cigarette sales and consumer spending. The company tightened its full-year profit outlook.
  • First Quantum Minerals (FM-T) sustained further declines after Panama’s president said its copper mine Cobre Panama would be shut down, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared its contract unconstitutional The company said it had suspended commercial production at the mine and was putting it into care and maintenance. The ruling puts the company on the long and unpredictable road of international arbitration.

Comments