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Canadian Money Brief – June 1, 2026: Markets Kick Off June on a High Note

  Markets Kick Off June on a High Note A strong finish to May carries momentum into the first trading session of June, with tech leading the charge and a major Berkshire deal grabbing headlines. At a Glance — Friday May 29 Close (Most Recent Confirmed) Index / Asset Level Change S&P/TSX Composite 34,769 +0.73% S&P 500 7,580 +0.22% Dow Jones 51,032 +0.72% Nasdaq Composite 26,973 +0.20% CAD/USD 0.7249 –0.06% WTI Crude Oil US$87.36/bbl –1.73% Gold US$4,574/oz –0.42% Sources: Yahoo Finance, Trading Economics. Closing data as of May 29, 2026. June 1 intraday data referenced in body. May Goes Out on a High North American markets wrapped up May in fine form. All three major U.S. indexes — the S&P 500, the Dow, and the Nasdaq — finished Friday at record closing highs, capping a month that saw the tech-heavy Nasdaq surge roughly 8% and the S&P 500 gain around 5%. The TSX also had a solid run, closing above the 34,700 mark on Friday, supported by a rebound in financials and ...

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Inflation Eases in May as Consumer Prices Rise at Slower Pace

 

A closely-watched report on U.S. inflation showed consumer prices cooled during the month of May, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Wednesday morning. Here are the key points:

  1. Consumer Price Index (CPI) Trends:

    • The CPI remained flat over the previous month.
    • Prices rose 3.3% over the prior year in May, which is a deceleration from April’s 0.3% month-over-month increase and 3.4% annual gain in prices.
    • Both measures beat economist expectations.
  2. Factors Contributing to the Slowdown:

    • A decline in energy prices, led by a drop in gas prices, contributed to further downward pressure on headline CPI.
    • On a “core” basis (excluding volatile food and gas costs), prices in May climbed 0.2% over the prior month and 3.4% over last year — cooler than April’s data.
    • Again, both core measures exceeded economist estimates.
  3. Federal Reserve Implications:

    • The inflation report arrives just ahead of the central bank’s policy decision at 2 p.m. ET.
    • Investors are closely watching this data point to shape future Federal Reserve interest rate policy.

In summary, while inflation remains a concern, the May data suggests a moderation in price increases. The Federal Reserve’s response will be crucial in navigating the economic landscape.


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