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Winter Storm Near Miss: Southern Ontario Could Still See Heavy Snow

  A major winter storm developing across the central United States is expected to track close enough to southern Ontario this weekend to bring the risk of significant snowfall. While the core of the system is projected to remain south of the border, its northern edge may still sweep across regions from Windsor to the Greater Toronto Area. Forecasters say the exact path remains uncertain, but current projections suggest that areas along and south of Highway 401 could see notable accumulations if the storm shifts even slightly north. Some models indicate the potential for 10–20 centimetres of snow, with locally higher amounts possible if lake‑enhanced bands develop. The storm threat comes as southern Ontario braces for a surge of bitter cold. Wind chills dipping into the minus twenties may precede the system, creating conditions that could intensify snowfall rates and make travel more difficult. Meteorologists continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory closely. Residents are enco...

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S&P 500 Plummets Amid Weak Jobs Report

 


The S&P 500 experienced its worst jobs day since October 2022, as a weak jobs report fueled concerns about the health of the U.S. economy. The index fell by 1.8%, while the Nasdaq 100 and Russell 2000 also saw significant declines, dropping 2.4% and 3.5% respectively.

The disappointing jobs data has intensified fears that the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at a two-decade high could lead to a more pronounced economic slowdown. This sentiment was echoed by Wall Street giants like Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., who are now calling for more aggressive Fed action.

The selloff was further exacerbated by a plunge in key technology companies, with Intel Corp. experiencing a 26% drop due to a grim growth forecast. The volatility index, often referred to as Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” hit its highest level since March 2023.

As traders project that the Fed will cut rates by more than a full percentage point in 2024, the market’s focus has shifted from “when and how much will the Fed ease” to concerns about a potential economic downturn. This shift in sentiment has led to increased volatility and a flight from riskier assets.

The latest jobs figures suggest that the Fed’s policies may be cooling the labor market too much, raising questions about whether the central bank has been too slow to act. As the market grapples with these uncertainties, investors are taking money off the table and booking profits, leading to continued near-term volatility.


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