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5 Things to Know Today: 68,000 Jobs Lost, a Weaker Loonie and the Oct. 28 BoC Decision

  Oct 12, 2026   Happy Thanksgiving. Canadian markets are closed today, but the numbers that shape your wallet aren't taking the day off. Here are five things to know on Monday, October 12. 1. Canada lost about 68,000 jobs in September, wiping out 2026's gains Statistics Canada reported that employment fell by roughly 68,000 in September, following a 41,700-job drop in August. The unemployment rate edged up to 6.5% from 6.4%. Economists had forecast a small gain. Put the two months together and Canada has lost about 41,200 jobs so far this year, compared with a gain of 211,300 over the same stretch of 2025, according to Reuters. The losses were spread almost evenly between full-time and part-time work and were concentrated in the public sector. Workers aged 15 to 24 lost 48,000 jobs, Quebec shed 49,000, and Ontario's unemployment rate sits at 7.0%, the highest among the large provinces. Average hourly wages were up 2.3% from a year ago. What it means for you: A softening j...

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Dow Jones Industrial Average Closes Above 40,000 for the First Time

 


In a historic milestone, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) achieved a significant feat by closing above 40,000 points for the first time ever. This remarkable achievement capped off a winning week for stocks, as major indices notched weekly gains.

Record Highs and Weekly Wins

  • The Dow rose 0.3% on Friday, reaching a record high of 40,003.59 points.
  • The broader market also performed well:
    • The S&P 500 ticked up 0.1%.
    • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.1% but still secured a weekly win.

Fed Officials and Inflation Concerns

The stock market rally faced a minor setback due to comments from Federal Reserve officials. They warned that interest rates are likely to remain at historic highs for some time. Encouraging inflation data earlier in the week had raised hopes of a September rate cut, but these remarks tempered expectations.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Pre-Recorded Remarks

  • Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, delivered his remarks through a pre-recorded video. He emphasized the central bank’s commitment to monitoring inflation and adjusting rates as needed.
  • US Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman reiterated her view that the central bank has not made sufficient progress in curbing inflation this year. She expressed readiness to raise rates if incoming data indicates further inflationary pressures.

Individual Movers

  • Reddit (RDDT) shares surged 10% after the social media platform announced a partnership with OpenAI. This collaboration will integrate content from Reddit forums into ChatGPT.
  • GameStop (GME) shares, on the other hand, declined over 19%. The games retailer expects first-quarter sales to drop as shoppers shift to online outlets. Despite an initial rally reminiscent of the 2021 frenzy, the stock has faced recent downward pressure.

Looking Ahead

As corporate earnings season winds down, several key players are set to report next week. Notable names include Zoom, Lowe’s, Target, and Nvidia—the latter capitalizing on the growing demand for AI technology.

In summary, the Dow’s breakthrough above 40,000 points reflects both market optimism and cautious attention to inflation dynamics. Investors will closely monitor future developments as the economy continues to recover and adapt to changing circumstances.

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