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Geopolitical Tensions Rattle Wall Street as Futures Slide on Trump’s Iran Warning

  Markets tumbled Thursday morning as renewed geopolitical uncertainty sent U.S. stock futures sharply lower, with investors reacting to President Trump’s latest remarks that the war with Iran is “not yet over.”   U.S. stock futures stumbled early Thursday after President Trump’s national address failed to signal a clear end to the ongoing U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 600 points , while S&P 500 futures fell 1.5% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 2% , reflecting heightened investor anxiety.  The market’s reaction was driven largely by Trump’s assertion that the conflict is not yet resolved, despite reports that Iran’s president has approached the U.S. about a potential ceasefire. Trump emphasized that any agreement would depend on reopening the Strait of Hormuz , a critical global energy chokepoint. He also warned that U.S. forces would “hit Iran hard” before any withdrawal in the coming weeks.  ...
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Canadian Business Insolvencies Double in January

 

The Canadian business landscape faced a significant upheaval in January as business insolvencies more than doubled compared to the same period last year. This surge in insolvencies also surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the month.

The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy reported 759 business insolvencies in January, marking a 42.4% increase from December and a staggering 129.3% rise from January 2023. To put this into perspective, back in January 2020—before the pandemic began—there were only 308 business insolvencies.

These business insolvencies encompass both bankruptcies and proposals (where some or all of the debt is paid back). The situation was further complicated by the $60,000 Canada Emergency Business Account loans, which were distributed to nearly 900,000 businesses and non-profit organizations to help them weather the pandemic storm. Up to one-third of this loan could be forgiven if the remaining two-thirds were repaid by January 18. Otherwise, the debt transformed into a three-year loan with a five percent annual interest rate. Businesses were also given the option to refinance their loans before the end of March and still qualify for partial forgiveness.

However, many businesses missed the January deadline due to other pandemic-related debts. The impact of these insolvencies extends beyond the numbers reported, as numerous small businesses simply shut their doors without formally filing for insolvency. In the words of Simon Gaudreault, Chief Economist and Vice-President of Research at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), “Insolvencies are just the tip of the iceberg.”

The sectors hit hardest by this surge in insolvencies include accommodation and food services, retail trade, and construction. While business bankruptcies rose significantly year-over-year, proposals also saw an increase. Consumer insolvencies followed suit, growing by 23.5% compared to the previous year but remaining lower than in January 2020.

As the Canadian economy grapples with pandemic debt and higher interest rates, policymakers and business owners alike will closely monitor the situation. The real toll on businesses may be even greater than the reported numbers, emphasizing the need for continued support and vigilance.


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