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Market Futures Slip as Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment

  U.S. stock futures edged lower early Thursday as investors attempted to extend Wednesday’s rebound but remained cautious amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell about 0.4%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures slipped roughly 0.2% each. The pullback followed a strong regular session in which all three major indexes posted gains, with the Dow snapping a three‑day losing streak.  The overnight weakness reflects persistent market sensitivity to geopolitical developments. Escalating tensions involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran continue to drive volatility across asset classes, with traders closely watching oil prices and inflation implications. Recent sessions have seen markets swing sharply as headlines shift, underscoring the fragile balance between economic fundamentals and geopolitical risk.  Despite the cautious tone, Wednesday’s rally showed that investors are still willing to buy into dips—particularl...
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Canadian Retail Sales Rebound in December, Boosting Consumer Confidence

 

Canadian consumers went on a holiday shopping spree at the end of last year, after reining in their spending just a month earlier. Receipts for retailers jumped 0.8% in December, the biggest increase since April. This followed a 0.2% decrease in November, which missed the median estimate of a flat reading in a Bloomberg survey. In volume terms, retail sales also edged down 0.2% that month. The early estimate for December suggests sales increased 0.8% that month, but warned the figure is subject to revision.

The rebound in retail sales in December is a positive sign for the Canadian economy. The holiday season is a crucial period for retailers, and the increase in sales indicates that consumer confidence is on the rise. The report also highlights that the pullback in November still highlights some spending weakness for consumers, who are facing higher interest rates and many of whom are due to renew their mortgages this year.


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