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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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Wall Street Ends a Volatile Week Almost Where It Started

 

After a tumultuous week that saw sharp swings and market uncertainty, Wall Street managed to claw back some losses and finish almost where it began. Here are the key takeaways:

  1. Steady Recovery: The S&P 500 index showed resilience, gaining 0.3% on Friday. This followed its best day since 2022, and it’s now close to erasing the brutal losses suffered earlier in the week.

  2. Mixed Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average also edged up by 25 points (0.1%), while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Both indexes are still on track for slight weekly losses.

  3. Market Factors: The Japanese yen’s sudden strengthening caused turbulence as traders scrambled out of a popular trade. Additionally, concerns about a slowing U.S. economy weighed on investor sentiment.

  4. Upcoming Reports: Next week, investors will closely watch updates on consumer spending at U.S. retailers. These reports could drive further market swings.

In summary, Wall Street weathered a stormy week, and while uncertainties remain, it’s poised for stability as we head into the next trading days. 


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