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Markets Brief: Iran Deal Hopes Drive Global Rally — TSX Eyes a Strong Open | May 29, 2026

It's been a week dominated by one headline: the U.S.-Iran war and the fragile hopes of a peace deal. Heading into the long weekend, markets are ending Friday on an optimistic note, with record-setting sessions in Asia and a strong tone across North America. Here's your full wrap. Canada — TSX After a rough patch mid-week, the TSX bounced back Thursday — its first gain since Monday's record close — finishing up around 0.7% to the 34,770s range, driven largely by a blockbuster round of Big Six bank earnings. All six of Canada's largest banks beat analysts' estimates for Q2 (quarter ended April 30), raising dividends and signalling cautious optimism despite the volatile global backdrop. RBC posted a standout quarter, with its Wealth Management division up 28% year-over-year. TD Bank earned $4.25 billion in adjusted net income ($2.38/share), topping expectations, and raised its dividend. CIBC's profit surged 43%, with adjusted EPS of $2.76 beating consensus by a wid...
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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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