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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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Wall Street Gains on Anticipation of Inflation Report and Fed Chair’s Event

 

Ahead of crucial inflation data and a public event by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Wall Street saw a rise in premarket trading on Wednesday. Investors are keenly awaiting Friday’s inflation report, which the Fed will closely monitor for its next rate policy decision. Powell’s subsequent webcast discussion at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco is expected to provide insights into potential rate cuts, with speculation of a reduction as early as May.

The U.S. economy has shown resilience despite higher interest rates aimed at controlling inflation, with the S&P 500 on track for its fifth consecutive winning month after a 9% surge this year. However, recent reports suggest a bumpier path in reducing inflation, with some costs exceeding expectations.

Amidst this economic backdrop, Trump Media & Technology Group’s shares soared after its IPO, despite financial losses and limited user growth. Meanwhile, global shares, particularly in Japan, were influenced by the yen’s decline to a 34-year low, prompting discussions among Japan’s monetary authorities.

Investors remain cautious as they consider whether the market has become overvalued after its recent rally, and analysts emphasize the need for broader profit growth to sustain current stock prices.

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