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...
Parliament's Last-Minute Decision on $21B Spending Bill
In a dramatic turn of events, Members of Parliament are gearing up for an eleventh-hour vote on a $21.6 billion spending bill. The vote, which is set to take place late tonight, comes just hours before the crucial deadline of December 10th.
The bill, proposed by the Liberals, seeks to allocate funds for various programs, including the First Nations child and family services program and compensation for Quebec's services for asylum seekers. However, the path to this vote has been anything but smooth. Parliament has been in a deadlock for months as Conservatives have been pressing the Liberals to release documents related to alleged misspending on a green-tech fund.
In a surprising move last week, Speaker Greg Fergus ruled to pause the ongoing privilege debate, allowing the spending bill vote to proceed. This decision underscores the urgency and importance of the bill, which includes $561 million for the Department of National Defence's Canadian multi-mission aircraft project.
Government House leader Karina Gould expressed cautious optimism, stating, "I'm looking forward to having the vote. There's a lot of really good things in there for Canadians, and it's important we get this done."
The outcome of this vote will have significant implications for various government programs and services, making it a pivotal moment for Canadian politics.
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