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5 Things to Know Today: Canada’s Money Headlines

1. Bank of Canada expected to hold rates amid Iran‑war price pressures The Bank of Canada is preparing its next rate decision, with policymakers weighing inflation risks tied to the Iran conflict. Markets expect a hold as the Bank releases its new monetary policy report this week.  2. Oil & energy costs rise as global uncertainty persists Oil prices climbed more than US$2.50 as geopolitical tensions continue to influence global supply expectations. Canadian producers are also facing scrutiny, including Cenovus’s Newfoundland oilfield extension, which is projected to increase emissions by 21%. 3. Inflation pressures remain elevated for Canadian households Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.4% in March , driven largely by higher gas prices. Rising costs continue to squeeze consumers, with food and essentials remaining stubbornly expensive.  4. Retail sales slow as Canadians pull back New data shows retail sales growth is losing momentum as households tighten bu...

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Stock Market Today: Tokyo’s Nikkei Leads Asian Gains Following Wall Street Rally

 


World shares advanced today, with Asian markets tracking Wall Street’s rally. The standout performer was Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index, which surged 2.4%. This impressive gain was powered by strong performances from semiconductor makers. Here are the key highlights:

  1. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225: The Japanese stock market index gained more than 900 points, closing at 38,460.08, its highest level in a month. Notably, shares in computer chip companies like Renesas Electronics Corp. (up 10.5%) and Tokyo Electronic (up 7.1%) contributed significantly to this rally.

  2. Greater China: Shares in Greater China also rallied. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 2%, while the Hang Seng Tech Index gained 3.1%. Chinese artificial intelligence company Sensetime Group saw its shares surge by 31.2% after releasing the latest version of its SenseNova generative AI model.

  3. South Korea: The Kospi index in South Korea rose by 1.9%, led by a 3.4% gain in heavyweight Samsung Electronics.

  4. Australia: Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index edged up by 0.1% following the release of a fifth consecutive quarter of decelerating inflation. The consumer price index for the first quarter eased to 3.6% from the previous 4.1%.

  5. U.S. Markets: On Tuesday, the S&P 500 climbed 1.2% to 5,070.55, pulling further out of the hole created by a six-day losing streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7% to 38,503.69, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.6% to 15,696.64. A weaker-than-expected report on U.S. business activity helped support the market, which remains in an awkward phase.

The hope on Wall Street is for the economy to avoid a severe recession but not to stay so hot that it keeps upward pressure on inflation. A preliminary report from S&P Global seemed to hit that sweet spot, and Treasury yields eased in the bond market Earnings reports also played a significant role in trading, with several companies exceeding analysts’ expectations. For instance, GE Aerospace saw an 8.3% increase after raising its profit forecast for the full year and beating first-quarter earnings expectations.

In summary, global shares are riding the momentum of Wall Street’s rally, and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stands out as a key driver in today’s market surge.

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