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Canada's Inflation Jumps to 2.4% in March — And Your Grocery and Gas Bills Show It

Canada's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.4% in March 2026 , up sharply from 1.8% in February, according to Statistics Canada data released Monday. The jump was driven almost entirely by soaring energy prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict and its disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — and Canadians felt it directly at the gas pump and grocery store. Headline CPI (March) 2.4% ▲ Up from 1.8% in February Gasoline (monthly) +21.2% Largest monthly jump on record Grocery prices (year/year) +4.4% Up from 4.1% in February Core CPI (ex-gas) 2.2% Milder than expected Gas was the main culprit Gasoline prices surged a record 21.2% month over month in March — the largest single-month jump ever recorded in Canada — as the U.S.-Iran conflict choked off roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. On a year-...

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Stock Market Update: S&P 500 Targets 5,000 Amid Earnings Momentum

 

Wall Street is poised to wrap up another week on a positive note, with the S&P 500 aiming for a significant milestone: 5,000 points. If achieved, this would mark the first time the index has closed at such heights. Let’s dive into the key highlights driving the market:

Corporate earnings have been the driving force behind this week’s gains. Notable winners include:

  1. Cloudfare: The cloud services provider surged more than 24% after beating Wall Street’s sales and profit forecasts. Its robust outlook for 2024 propelled the stock to new heights.

  2. Expedia: Despite beating sales and profit targets, the online travel booking company faced a premarket decline of 15.6%. The announcement of CEO Peter Kern’s replacement added to the volatility.

  3. Take-Two Interactive: The publisher of popular video games like “Grand Theft Auto” stumbled, missing sales and profit targets. The company also revised its outlook downward.

Global Market Snapshot

  • Asia: Trading was mixed in Asia due to the Lunar New Year holiday. Tokyo’s market ended slightly higher, touching a 34-year high earlier in the day. The Bank of Japan’s commitment to its monetary policy supported investor sentiment.

  • Europe: Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 remained flat at midday, while Britain’s FTSE 100 ticked up 0.1%.

  • China: Markets in mainland China were closed, and Hong Kong had a half-day session, with the Hang Seng shedding 0.8%. China’s securities regulator took measures to stabilize financial markets.

  • Australia: The S&P/ASX 200 added nearly 0.1%.

Commodities and Currency

  • Crude Oil: Benchmark U.S. crude lost 16 cents to $76.06 a barrel, while Brent crude declined 25 cents to $81.38 a barrel.

  • Currency: The U.S. dollar weakened against the Japanese yen (149.17 JPY) and the euro (1.0789 EUR).

  • Bitcoin: The cryptocurrency surged 4.6%, reaching $47,000 for the first time in nearly two years.

In summary, Wall Street’s upward trajectory continues, fueled by strong earnings reports. As investors keep an eye on the S&P 500’s march toward 5,000, the market remains dynamic and full of opportunities.


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