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How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Hitting Your Wallet Right Now

Published May 17, 2026  |  Category: Oil Prices & Energy  |  By MoneySavings.ca If you've winced lately at the gas pump or noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you're not imagining it. A geopolitical crisis unfolding halfway around the world — at a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman — is directly squeezing Canadian budgets. Here's everything you need to know, and what you can do about it. What Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway just 33 kilometres wide at its tightest point, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Despite its modest size, it is the world's single most critical energy chokepoint. Before this crisis, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through it every single day — about 20% of all the world's seaborne oil supply, plus significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Think of it as the world's energy jugular vein. When it gets blocked, the entire planet feels it. What Happened? On Februa...

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U.S. Stock Market Rallies as Dow Streaks and S&P 500 Surges


The U.S. stock market experienced a significant upswing today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average extending its winning streak to seven consecutive trading sessions. The S&P 500 also made a notable climb, moving back above the 5,200 mark for the first time since early April. This positive momentum is largely attributed to signs of a cooling labor market, which has fueled investor optimism for a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve in the coming months.

  • Dow’s Winning Streak: The Dow rose by approximately 0.9%, marking its seventh day of gains.
  • S&P 500’s Climb: The S&P 500 gained 0.5%, breaching the 5,200 level once again.
  • Labor Market’s Influence: Initial weekly jobless claims increased, suggesting a slowing job market and raising hopes for a Fed rate cut.
  • Sector Performance: Real Estate and Utilities led the sectors, while Technology and Communications Services lagged behind.

Investors are closely monitoring the labor market and other economic indicators to gauge the Federal Reserve’s next moves, which could have significant implications for the stock market’s trajectory in the near future.

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