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5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...

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S&P 500 and Nasdaq Set to Jump as Nvidia Surge Continues


US stock indexes are poised for gains early today as Nvidia’s record-breaking surge continues. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite futures lead the way, up about 0.7%, while S&P 500 futures point up around 0.4%. This follows the S&P 500’s 31st record close of the year on Tuesday.

Nvidia’s meteoric rise has captured investors’ attention, with its stock up more than 170% so far this year. Just two weeks after dethroning Apple as the No. 2 most valuable company, Nvidia now claims the title of the world’s most valuable public company, surpassing Microsoft.

Elsewhere, global central banks are in focus, with the Swiss National Bank cutting rates for the second time this year. The Bank of England maintains its benchmark rate at a 16-year high but signals a potential rate cut in the summer. In the US, traders continue to bet on a Fed rate cut by September.

Keep an eye on weekly jobless claims data today for further insights into the macroeconomic landscape.


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