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5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...

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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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