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Your daily horoscope: February 5, 2026

  IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY With both Jupiter and Uranus active on your birthday you won’t be taking the easy path through the year ahead, and that’s a good thing. Whatever the accepted wisdom might be you would be wise to do the opposite. Fortune favours the brave. ARIES (March 21 - April 20): Although Mars, your ruling planet, is well placed in your chart you must keep a sensible balance between your ambitions on the one hand, and what you can realistically hope to accomplish on the other. There are always limits – yes, even for Aries. TAURUS (April 21 - May 21): If someone gives you a hard time today you must stand your ground. The symbol for your sign is the bull and you are one of those people who, when pushed in a direction you don’t want to go, dig in your hooves and refuse to budge! GEMINI (May 22 - June 21): By all means speak freely today but don’t expect everyone to agree with your opinions. With Mercury, your ruler, at odds with Uranus you may be surprised by how radica...

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Loonie Surges After Canada Job Gains Beat Expectations

 

In a surprising turn of events, Canada’s job market outperformed expectations, leading to a surge in the Canadian dollar (often referred to as the “loonie”). Here are the key highlights:

  • Job Gains: Canada added 90,000 jobs in April, surpassing economists’ estimates. The majority of these gains were in part-time positions.

  • Unemployment Rate: Despite the robust job gains, the unemployment rate remained steady at 6.1%.

  • Market Reaction: The loonie strengthened against the US dollar immediately after the release of the employment data. However, it later retraced some of those gains.

  • Rate Cut Speculation: Prior to the report, there were expectations of a potential rate cut by the Bank of Canada. However, the strong job numbers have led traders to pare odds of a June cut back to a coin toss.

While the headline figures are impressive, it’s essential to consider the broader context. Canada’s rapid population growth due to immigration has led to a persistent trend of job creation falling short of new working-age entrants. Additionally, wage growth remains subdued, which the central bank views favorably in terms of easing inflationary pressures.

As policymakers await the upcoming April inflation report, the decision on interest rates will likely hinge on any surprises in inflation data. If inflation remains in check, the Bank of Canada may still proceed with a rate cut in June. However, the overall labor market trend suggests a softening, which could influence their decision-making process.

In summary, while the loonie celebrates the positive employment figures, the central bank’s focus remains on inflation dynamics. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether monetary policy takes a more accommodative turn or maintains its current stance. 

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