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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...

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Stock Futures Point to Continued Record-Setting Run on Wall Street

                                        

In a bullish start to the day, US stock futures are indicating a higher open as Wall Street aims to extend its record-setting run. Here are the key points:

  1. Futures on the S&P 500 (symbol: ^GSPC) have risen nearly 0.4%.
  2. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (symbol: ^DJI) are up by about 0.2%.
  3. Nasdaq Composite futures (symbol: ^IXIC) lead the way, rising approximately 0.5%.

Despite a brief pause in the rally on Monday, where all three major indexes dipped slightly, the overall mood remains bullish. Notably, Oppenheimer Asset Management strategist John Stoltzfus has raised his 2024 S&P 500 price target to a Street-high 5,500.

Economic data is in focus today, with readings on durable goods orders and US consumer confidence due. Additionally, the Case-Shiller home price index will be released. However, the main event awaits us on Friday when the government will publish the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (core PCE growth)—the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of inflation pace.

In company news, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (symbol: DJT) is making its Wall Street debut after merging with Digital World Acquisition Corp. Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. have surged as much as 20% in premarket trading.

Stay tuned for more market updates as the week unfolds.

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