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Wall St Futures Slip as Geopolitical Uncertainty and Mixed Earnings Weigh on Sentiment

Wall Street futures slipped early Thursday as investors grew cautious in the absence of clear signals on the U.S.–Iran war, while a wave of mixed earnings added to the uncertainty. Iran’s seizure of two ships in the Strait of Hormuz and its demand that the U.S. lift its naval blockade have heightened geopolitical tensions, even after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely. The standoff continues to keep oil prices above $100 per barrel , raising concerns about a potential inflation flare‑up.  Economists warn that even if the conflict eases, the global economy may take time to normalize after one of the largest oil supply disruptions in decades.  As of early morning trading, Dow E‑minis were down 0.73%, S&P 500 E‑minis slipped 0.50%, and Nasdaq 100 E‑minis fell 0.48% , reflecting a broader pullback in risk appetite.  Earnings added another layer of volatility. Tesla shares fell after the company boosted its annual spending plan to more than $25...

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Canada's Unemployment Rate Hits 6.8% in November: Highest Since January 2017

Canada's unemployment rate surged to 6.8% in November, reaching its highest level since January 2017, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period. This increase comes despite the addition of 51,000 jobs during the month.

Statistics Canada's November labour force survey revealed that the rise in unemployment was driven by a growing number of people entering the job market, which outpaced job creation. The labour force participation rate increased by 0.3 percentage points.

Economists are closely watching these developments as the Bank of Canada prepares for its upcoming interest rate decision. With high interest rates cooling the labour market over the past year, many unemployed Canadians have faced longer periods without work.

The report also highlighted that 46.3% of unemployed Canadians in November had not worked in the last year or had never worked, up from 39.5% a year ago. Meanwhile, average hourly wages were up 4.1% from a year ago, marking a slowdown in annual wage growth.

As the country grapples with these economic challenges, the Bank of Canada's decision on interest rates will be crucial in shaping the future of the job market.



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