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The U.S. Alcohol Ban Is Now Live: Who's Exempt, Who's Shut Out, and What It Means for Your Wallet

  At 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 29, the United States stopped letting most packaged Canadian beer, wine, cider and spirits through the border. Not taxed. Blocked. It's the sharpest step yet in the alcohol front of the trade war, and it lands on a very uneven set of shoulders. Two weeks ago we walked through what was coming. Now that it's live, here's what the ban actually covers, who slips through, and what it does (and doesn't) mean for your own budget. What took effect The White House announced the measures on Sept. 8, after Canada's own retaliation tariffs kicked in. The U.S. framed them as a response to Canada's treatment of American dairy, autos and alcohol, and to provinces pulling U.S. liquor from their shelves. The ban covers packaged Canadian beer (including non-alcoholic), wine, cider and spirits, plus whey products, molasses and motorcycles over 800cc. Many of the alcohol products were already facing a 50% U.S. tariff imposed in August; the ban ...

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Wall Street Nears 5,000 Milestone

 

U.S. stocks continued their upward trajectory, setting more records as evidence mounted of a remarkably solid job market. Here’s a snapshot of today’s market activity:

  • The S&P 500 inched up by 2.85 points, reaching 4,997.91.
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average also achieved an all-time high, edging up by 48.97 points to 38,726.33.
  • The Nasdaq composite gained 37.07 points, closing at 15,793.71.

During the day, the S&P 500 even briefly surpassed the 5,000 level for the first time. While such milestones may seem arbitrary in a market driven by math and financial data, they can offer a psychological boost. Remember, not long ago, experts were predicting a near-certain bear market and recession. Yet, the U.S. economy has defied expectations, and the latest report indicates fewer workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than anticipated.

Investors are increasingly recognizing that positive economic news translates to higher corporate profits, which ultimately benefit stocks. Earnings reports from major U.S. companies have been mixed, with some notable winners:

  • The Walt Disney Co. reported stronger-than-expected profits, benefiting from cost cuts and growth at its theme parks.
  • Ralph Lauren saw robust holiday sales worldwide, particularly in Asia.
  • Arm Holdings, a U.K.-based semiconductor company, exceeded analysts’ expectations.
  • However, PayPal fell short of profit forecasts for 2024, and S&P Global reported weaker profits for the latest quarter.

As Wall Street approaches the 5,000 milestone, it serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come. Amid the market’s emotional swings, staying grounded in data and fundamentals remains crucial. 

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