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Canada Holds Steady: Interest Rate Pause Signals Cautious Confidence

                      The Bank of Canada also held its policy rate at its last scheduled rate announcement in December. The Bank of Canada has opted to keep its key interest rate at 2.25% , a move that underscores a careful balancing act as the country approaches a pivotal moment in North American trade relations. With CUSMA (the Canada‑United States‑Mexico Agreement) negotiations on the horizon, policymakers appear intent on maintaining stability while assessing potential economic turbulence. The decision reflects a mix of optimism and prudence. Inflation has been easing gradually, giving the central bank some breathing room. At the same time, global economic uncertainty and the high stakes of upcoming trade talks mean officials are reluctant to introduce new variables into the financial system. By holding the rate steady, the Bank of Canada signals confidence in the economy’s underlying resilience while acknowledgin...

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Wall Street and Global Markets Take a Dip After Holiday Weekend

 

Wall Street and global markets started the week on a bearish note, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures down 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively, before the bell. The Hong Kong benchmark index fell more than 2%, and investors were left without cues from overnight trading due to the holiday weekend.

Investors have been betting on the Federal Reserve cutting its main interest rate six or more times through 2024, a much more aggressive track than the Fed itself has hinted at. However, after a roaring start to the year, investors are growing a bit more cautious about how soon the Fed will begin cutting interest rates, how quickly, and by how much.

The first quarter of this year may be marked by the realization that it’s too early for the central banks to cut the interest rates unless something really bad hits the fan.

Microsoft rose about 0.7%, to $391.25 per share, before the bell Tuesday, vaulting past Apple to become the world’s most valuable publicly-traded company with a market capitalization of $2.89 trillion.


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