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5 Things to Know Today: G7 Oil Release, Pipeline Fast-Track and Ontario's N1 Deadline (Oct. 3)

  Canadian Money Brief • Saturday, October 3, 2026 Markets are closed for the weekend, so here is what moved on Friday and what it means for your wallet as the week turns. Five things worth knowing today. 1. The G7 Is Releasing 100 Million Barrels of Oil and Fuel G7 leaders, Canada included, agreed Friday to release 100 million barrels of crude and refined products from emergency reserves over the next four months, with a front-loaded diesel release in the first 20 days. Washington had been pressing allies to act as fuel prices climbed. Oil barely budged on the news: Brent settled at US$102.25 a barrel and WTI at US$91.11, down US$1.76. Analysts noted it is not yet clear whether the 100 million barrels is new supply or the tail end of the release pledged in March. What it means for you: Diesel comes first, which matters more for freight and grocery costs than for your gas tank. With Brent still around US$100, do not count on a quick drop at the pump. 2. A Weak U.S. Jobs Report Shi...

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S&P 500 Inches Closer to Record High Amid Optimism About Fed’s Policy and Year-End Effect

 

The S&P 500 index closed just shy of a new record high on Thursday, with the broad index gaining 0.04%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.03%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1%. Markets are ending 2023 on a hot streak, with all three indexes on pace for a ninth consecutive weekly gain. For the S&P 500, that would mark the longest streak since January 2004. The index is now within 0.3% of its all-time high, set in January 2022. With one trading session remaining in 2023, the S&P 500 is up 25%.

Investors are optimistic that the Federal Reserve can successfully cool inflation without inducing a major economic slowdown, which has powered the market’s recent advance. Now, some investors say the looming end of the calendar year is giving markets an extra boost. “Nobody who has caught this rally wants to incur a taxable event,” said Michael Green, chief strategist at Simplify Asset Management. “If nobody wants to sell, prices will push higher on low volume”.

The jobless claims data released by the Labor Department on Thursday indicated a gradual cooling of the economy. Initial jobless claims, considered a proxy for layoffs, were 218,000 in the week ending Dec. 23, slightly more than the 215,000 that economists expected.

Bond yields rose as prices fell, reflecting expectations of higher inflation and interest rates. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 3.849%, up from 3.7%.

Some investors are increasing their exposure to energy and industrial stocks, which could benefit from a strong economic recovery. Matt Dmytryszyn, chief investment officer at Telemus Capital, said his fund is boosting its position in shares of energy and industrial firms.


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