Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...

article

Stock Market Update: Record Highs Driven by Nvidia’s Earnings Surge

 

The stock market witnessed a whirlwind week, fueled by the remarkable performance of AI chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA). As the week drew to a close, both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved fresh record highs.

  • S&P 500: The broad market index inched higher, closing at 5,088.80, surpassing the 5,100 mark for the first time.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: The Dow added 62.42 points, reaching an all-time high of 39,131.53.
  • Nasdaq Composite: Although the Nasdaq Composite retreated slightly, closing down 0.3%, it had already notched a fresh 52-week high earlier in the session.

Nvidia’s blowout earnings sent shockwaves through the market, adding approximately $277 billion to the company’s market value. This surge marked the largest single-day gain in Wall Street history. The chipmaker’s shares continued their ascent, bringing the company tantalizingly close to a $2 trillion valuation.

Amidst the AI frenzy, investors are also contemplating the possibility of a US interest rate cut. Federal Reserve officials have hinted at impending cuts, although the timing remains uncertain.

As the solid fourth-quarter earnings season winds down, several companies have impressed Wall Street:

  • Block (SQ): An upbeat earnings forecast from Square led to a 16% jump in the fintech company’s shares.
  • Carvana (CVNA): Investors welcomed the used-car seller’s first annual profit, resulting in a 30% surge in Carvana’s stock.

In summary, Wall Street’s record-breaking week was driven by Nvidia’s stellar performance, and investors are keeping a close eye on interest rate developments. As the market continues to evolve, stay tuned for further updates.


Comments