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TD Bank Settles Spoofing Investigation with $20 Million Payment

  Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank) has agreed to pay over $20 million USD to settle an investigation by U.S. authorities into fraudulent trading practices known as “spoofing.” This settlement resolves allegations that a former TD Bank trader engaged in deceptive tactics to manipulate the U.S. Treasuries market. The investigation revealed that the trader placed large orders with the intent to cancel them before execution, creating a false impression of market demand. This practice, known as spoofing, is illegal under U.S. law as it undermines market integrity and investor confidence. TD Bank’s settlement includes both fines and restitution, reflecting the seriousness of the misconduct. The bank has stated its commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and has taken steps to enhance its compliance and oversight mechanisms to prevent future violations. This case is part of a broader crackdown by U.S. regulators on spoofing and other forms of market manipulation, aiming to ensure fair
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Anticipation and Reaction to Fed’s Rate Decision

 


As investors braced for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision, North American stock markets experienced a mixed close. The Fed maintained its key interest rate at 5.25%-5.50%, leaving the future of rate cuts uncertain. Despite this, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dipped, while the Dow Jones and S&P/TSX Composite saw modest gains.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference offered a glimmer of hope as he dismissed the likelihood of an immediate rate hike, causing a surge in market optimism. He acknowledged the persistent issue of inflation but expressed confidence in the progress towards the 2% target.

The labor market showed signs of normalization, with job openings at a three-year low2. Meanwhile, the earnings season is more than halfway through, with a majority of S&P 500 companies surpassing consensus expectations.

In the corporate landscape, AMD’s AI chip sales forecast led to a 9% drop in its shares, while Amazon’s AI-driven cloud growth pushed its stock up by 2.2%. Johnson & Johnson plans to proceed with a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit settlement, and Starbucks faced a significant sales forecast cut.

The energy sector took a hit due to falling oil prices and a potential Middle East ceasefire, while uranium miners saw a boost from a U.S. ban on Russian imports. Canadian manufacturing activity continued to contract, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.

In summary, the market’s response to the Fed’s decision was a complex interplay of anticipation, relief, and sector-specific movements, highlighting the intricate dynamics of financial markets.

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