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Wall Street Stumbles as Trump’s Tariff Threats Rattle Global Markets

U.S. stock markets kicked off the week in the red as renewed trade tensions sparked by former President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled over 400 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.8% and 0.9% respectively. The sell-off followed Trump’s announcement of sweeping new tariffs set to take effect on August 1. In a series of public letters posted to social media, Trump warned that countries including Japan, South Korea, South Africa, and Malaysia would face levies ranging from 25% to 40% unless trade agreements are finalized by a self-imposed July 9 deadline. Adding to the market jitters, Trump declared that any nation aligning with the “Anti-American policies of BRICS” would be hit with an additional 10% tariff, escalating tensions with key trading partners like China and India. The tech sector bore the brunt of the downturn, with Tesla shares plunging nearly 7% amid political controversy surrounding CEO Elo...
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Toronto Housing Market: Sales Dip, Prices Climb After Sluggish Period


Toronto’s real estate landscape is showing signs of a turnaround as we transition into spring. After a year of subdued sales activity, the market is witnessing renewed vigor. Here’s a snapshot of the recent developments:

Sales Activity:

  • February Sales Decline: Greater Toronto area home sales dipped in February, breaking a two-month streak of gains. Despite this, the market remains resilient.
  • Buyer Competition: Last month, competition between buyers started to re-emerge. Listings are attracting more attention, and buyers are increasingly competing with each other.
  • Regaining Confidence: Prospective homebuyers are regaining confidence, even as borrowing costs rise due to interest rate hikes by the Bank of Canada. Unlike last year, when the market was sluggish, buyers are now actively participating.

Price Trends:

  • Average Home Price: In March, the average home price in the Toronto area reached $1,108,606, surpassing the average list price for the first time since May 2022.
  • Still Below 2022 Peak: Despite the recent uptick, prices remain far from their 2022 peak. Detached homes, semi-detached properties, townhouses, and condos all saw price adjustments.
  • Composite Benchmark Price: The composite benchmark price for March was $1,118,500, reflecting a 16.2% year-over-year drop but an increase on a month-over-month basis.
  • Sales Volume: March concluded with 6,896 sales, up from 4,765 in February, although still down nearly 37% from March 2020.

The Toronto housing market is in transition. While prices are recovering, buyers are approaching the market more cautiously. As we head into spring, all eyes are on how this delicate balance between supply, demand, and affordability will evolve.


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