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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...
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US Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Key Economic Signals

US stock futures are pointing to a slightly higher open today as Wall Street gears up for a week full of crucial economic data signals. Here’s what investors need to know:

  • Futures Performance:

    • Futures tied to the S&P 500 (ES=F) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (NQ=F) both rose around 0.3%.
    • Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) were up about 0.2%.

  • Market Volatility:

    • Last week was a rollercoaster ride for markets, leaving investors “on edge.”
    • Despite ending practically where they started, major indexes experienced significant volatility throughout the week.

  • Upcoming Data:

    • Wednesday: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) will provide fresh insights into inflation.
    • Thursday:
      • July’s retail sales data will offer a glimpse into the state of the US consumer.
      • Walmart (WMT) earnings will also be closely watched.

  • Fed Rate Cut Expectations:

    • Markets are interpreting good news as a positive sign, but volatility may hinge on the data signals.
    • The slowing economy has shifted the debate from whether the Federal Reserve should cut interest rates in September to how much they should cut.
    • Traders expect a 25-basis-point cut next month, while some anticipate a larger 50-basis-point cut.


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