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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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Market Gains Amid Anticipation of Key Data and Big Tech Earnings

 

U.S. stock markets saw gains today as investors eagerly await crucial economic data and earnings reports from major technology companies. The Nasdaq Composite rose by approximately 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average each increased by about 0.5%.

The market’s positive movement was partly driven by relief over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Israel’s limited retaliatory strikes on Iran focusing solely on military targets. This development led to a significant drop in oil prices, with Brent crude falling nearly 6% to around $71 a barrel.

Investors are particularly focused on the upcoming earnings reports from five of the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants: Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. These reports are expected to provide insights into whether investments in artificial intelligence are translating into profits. Additionally, the market is bracing for key economic indicators, including the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge and the October jobs report, which could influence future interest rate decisions.

Overall, the anticipation of Big Tech earnings and critical economic data has set the stage for a potentially volatile week in the stock market.


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