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Weekly Market Snapshot: Records Everywhere as a Blowout Canadian Jobs Report Meets a Shock U.S. Loss

  August 8, 2026 A short, holiday-shortened week still managed to deliver record after record. The TSX, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq, and Europe's major indices all closed the week at or near all-time highs — even as Friday's jobs numbers told two very different stories on either side of the border. Here's everything that moved your money this week, and what to watch next. The Bottom Line The TSX capped its biggest weekly advance in about four months, closing Friday at a record 36,381.23 after Canada added a blowout 75,100 jobs in July (versus 17,800 expected). Wall Street also hit fresh records — but for the opposite reason: US employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs, which markets read as reducing the odds of any further Fed rate hikes. Add in a fourth straight record close for European stocks, a wild swing in oil, and gold pushing toward US$4,400/oz, and it was a week where almost every major asset class ended up higher. 🇨🇦 Canada: TSX's Best Week Since April Canadia...

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Macron Faces Farmer Fury: Protests Erupt at Paris Agricultural Fair

 


French President Emmanuel Macron encountered a chorus of boos and whistles as he stepped onto the stage at the Paris Agricultural Fair. The disgruntled farmers, their frustrations simmering, squarely pointed fingers at Macron, accusing him of insufficient support for their struggling industry.

For months, farmers across France have raised their voices in protest. Their grievances echo through the rolling fields and bustling markets. They demand better living conditions, streamlined regulations, and robust protection against what they perceive as unfair foreign competition. The stakes are high, and the agricultural sector’s survival hangs in the balance.

As the fair gates swung open, several dozen protesters breached security barriers, their anger palpable. Macron, scheduled to address the crowd, faced a sea of discontent. Riot-clad police formed a human shield, preventing the demonstrators from reaching the president. Whistles pierced the air, and slogans called for his resignation.

In a separate room, Macron met with representatives from France’s main farmers’ unions. He acknowledged their plight, promising “floor prices” for agricultural products to stabilize incomes. An emergency relief plan for struggling farms would kick off imminently. But the farmers pressed him further. “Give oxygen to the farmers,” one implored. Macron defended his administration’s efforts, emphasizing that progress had been made.

The Paris Agricultural Fair, delayed by hours due to the protests, eventually commenced. Macron, surrounded by Normandy cows and wheels of camembert cheese, navigated the exhibition. Whistles persisted, punctuating his interactions with farmers. Meanwhile, across Europe, agricultural communities rallied against bureaucratic hurdles and restrictive environmental rules.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the fairgrounds buzzed with tension. Macron’s promise of change hung in the air, a delicate balance between political resolve and farmer fury.


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