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Wall Street Futures Rise as Inflation Cools, Boosting Rate-Cut Hopes

US stock futures climbed Friday morning after the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation rising at a slightly slower pace than expected. The data offered investors reassurance that price pressures are easing, strengthening expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained about 0.5% S&P 500 futures rose 0.7% Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 1% The September CPI report revealed annual inflation at 3% , just below forecasts of 3.1%. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.3% , a modest slowdown from August. This cooler-than-expected reading comes after a delay caused by the government shutdown, making it the first major economic release in weeks. With nearly all market bets pointing to a Fed rate cut, investors are increasingly optimistic about a softer monetary policy path ahead.
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Boxing Day Sales See Smaller Crowds Despite GST Break

 

Retailers across the country experienced smaller crowds and cautious spending on Boxing Day this year, despite the federal government's GST holiday. While the tax break, which makes a variety of items GST-free for two months, did attract some shoppers, many consumers remained hesitant due to ongoing cost of living concerns.

Shoppers at Fairview Mall in Toronto, like Nakul Singal, took advantage of the deals but expressed that the tax break alone wasn't enough to offset the high costs of living**. Singal mentioned, "It's good to shop around during this time, but we're still struggling with expenses, especially housing.

Retail Council of Canada's Matt Poirier noted that businesses faced challenges implementing the tax break on short notice, and some older payment systems struggled to adapt.  An RBC Economics report also indicated that retail spending slowed in November, with holiday spending slightly below 2023 levels over the Black Friday weekend.

Despite these challenges, some retailers, like GameStop in north Toronto, saw an influx of customers eager to benefit from the tax holiday. Assistant store manager Joey Comia-Orellano said, "We've been getting shoppers before Boxing Day, and we expect it to get busier as consumers look to save with Boxing Day deals combined with the tax break."

Overall, while the GST break provided some relief, it wasn't enough to fully counteract the economic pressures faced by many Canadians.




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