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Canada’s Jobless Rate Rises to 6.8% Despite December Hiring

          A employee sorts batteries on a conveyor belt at a recycling facility in Port Colborne, Ontario. Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.8% in December , even though the economy added 8,200 jobs during the month. The increase in unemployment wasn’t driven by widespread layoffs but by a surge in the number of people entering the labour force and actively looking for work. December Highlights Unemployment rate: Up from 6.5% to 6.8% Employment: Net gain of 8,200 jobs Labour force: Expanded significantly, outpacing job creation Full-time work: Increased Part-time work: Declined Why the Rate Rose Economists point out that the rise in unemployment reflects renewed labour market participation , not a weakening economy. More Canadians felt confident enough to start job hunting, but hiring didn’t keep pace with the influx of job seekers. This marks the fourth straight month of employment growth , yet December also saw the largest increas...

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Wall Street Edges Down as Retail Earnings Take Center Stage



Wall Street is poised slightly lower, anticipating a week dominated by earnings reports from major retailers. Here are the key highlights:
  1. Market Outlook:

    • Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average have dipped approximately 0.1% before the opening bell.
    • Investors keenly await earnings data, which serves as a crucial indicator for the trajectory of the U.S. and global economies.
  2. Noteworthy Developments:

    • Domino’s, the pizza delivery giant, has surged by 6.5% pre-market after surpassing Wall Street’s sales and profit expectations.
    • Zoom, the video conferencing company, is set to report its earnings later today.
    • Amazon.com officially joins the prestigious Dow Jones industrials, replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance.
    • Uber Technologies Inc. will replace JetBlue Airways Corp. on the Dow Jones Transportation Average, enhancing the index’s tracking of the ride-sharing sector.
  3. Upcoming Retail Earnings:

    • Keep an eye on quarterly financial results from major retailers:
      • Lowe’s: The home improvement retailer.
      • Dollar Tree: The discount retailer.
      • Macy’s: The department store chain.
      • Best Buy: The electronics retailer.
  4. Economic Data:

    • Expect updates on consumer confidence, inflation, and the pace of growth in the U.S. during the October-December quarter.
    • The Federal Reserve’s efforts to manage inflation remain in focus, with expectations of a rate cut in June instead of March.
  5. Global Markets:

    • In Europe, France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.4%, Germany’s DAX edged 0.1% higher, and Britain’s FTSE 100 declined 0.3%.
    • The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo gained 0.4%, reaching 39,233.71.

Stay tuned for a week of market movements driven by earnings revelations and economic indicators. 

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