U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland Resigns Amid Budget Deficit Blowout
In a shocking turn of events, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet on Monday. The announcement came just hours before the release of the government's fall economic statement, which revealed a staggering budget deficit of C$61.9 billion, overshooting the target by C$20 billion.
Freeland cited disagreements with Trudeau over the government's economic policies as the primary reason for her departure. She expressed concerns about the "costly political gimmicks" and urged the Prime Minister to collaborate more closely with the country's premiers to address economic challenges.
The fall economic statement, tabled by Government House Leader Karina Gould in Freeland's absence, included over C$20 billion in new spending and highlighted the growing fiscal deficit. The government also pledged C$1.3 billion for border security measures in response to threats of steep tariffs from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Freeland's resignation has thrown the government into disarray, raising questions about the future direction of Canada's economic policies and the potential impact on the upcoming general elections.
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