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Wall Street Pauses as Fed Meeting Looms: Futures Hold Steady

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Tuesday as investors awaited the start of the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all hovered near flat, reflecting a cautious mood across Wall Street. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but traders are focused on Chair Jerome Powell’s comments and the central bank’s updated economic projections. Markets are looking for clues on when rate cuts might begin in 2024, with inflation cooling but still above the Fed’s long-term target. Recent gains in equities have been fueled by optimism that the Fed’s tightening cycle is over, yet uncertainty remains about how quickly monetary policy will shift toward easing. Until then, investors appear content to hold their positions, waiting for clearer signals from the Fed before making bold moves.

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Canada’s Railways and Union in Critical Talks as Midnight Deadline Looms

 

Canada’s two major freight railroads, Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), are currently embroiled in intense labor negotiations. The stakes are high: if an agreement isn’t reached by midnight, thousands of workers could face a lockout. This would halt the movement of approximately $1 billion worth of goods that traverse these companies’ tracks daily.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged both sides to continue their efforts at the negotiation table. He emphasized that millions of Canadians, workers, farmers, and businesses across the country are counting on a resolution. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Canada, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters have also called on the federal government to take immediate action to keep trains running and goods flowing.

The situation remains tense, and the outcome will have significant implications for the Canadian economy. Let’s hope that a last-minute agreement can be reached to avert a major rail stoppage. 

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