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Wall Street Ends October on a High as Amazon, Tech Giants Drive Market Rally

US stocks closed October with strong gains, capping off a winning month fueled by robust corporate earnings and optimism over easing interest rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% , the S&P 500 gained 0.3% , and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.6% , marking another month of steady growth across Wall Street’s major indexes. The standout performer was Amazon , whose shares surged nearly 10% to an all-time high after reporting third-quarter results that exceeded expectations. The company’s cloud division, Amazon Web Services, showed renewed momentum, easing investor concerns about slowing growth in the tech sector. This rally helped lift the broader technology space, with the Nasdaq notching its seventh consecutive monthly gain. Other members of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” also contributed to the upbeat sentiment, as investors embraced signs that Big Tech’s heavy investments in artificial intelligence and infrastructure are beginning to pay off. The S&P 500 an...

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Trudeau Announces GST Holiday and $250 Cheques to Ease Holiday Costs

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled a series of measures aimed at alleviating financial pressures for Canadians during the holiday season. The announcement includes a two-month GST holiday on select goods and services, as well as $250 cheques for many Canadians.

Starting December 14, 2024, and running through February 15, 2025, the GST holiday will apply to a variety of items, including prepared foods, restaurant meals, snacks, children’s clothing and footwear, toys, books, and Christmas trees. This initiative is designed to provide immediate relief to families and individuals facing high costs during the festive period.

In addition to the GST holiday, the federal government will issue $250 cheques to Canadians who earned up to $150,000 in 2023. These cheques, part of the “Working Canadians Rebate,” are expected to be distributed in early spring 2025.

Trudeau emphasized that these measures are intended to help Canadians manage their expenses during a time of year that can be particularly financially challenging. “For two months, Canadians are going to get a real break on everything they do,” he said at a media event in Newmarket, Ontario.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland added that the GST holiday and rebate are part of the government’s broader efforts to support Canadians as the country continues to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These initiatives are expected to save taxpayers an estimated $1.6 billion over the two-month period, providing significant relief to many households across the country.


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