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Canada Holds Steady: Interest Rate Pause Signals Cautious Confidence

                      The Bank of Canada also held its policy rate at its last scheduled rate announcement in December. The Bank of Canada has opted to keep its key interest rate at 2.25% , a move that underscores a careful balancing act as the country approaches a pivotal moment in North American trade relations. With CUSMA (the Canada‑United States‑Mexico Agreement) negotiations on the horizon, policymakers appear intent on maintaining stability while assessing potential economic turbulence. The decision reflects a mix of optimism and prudence. Inflation has been easing gradually, giving the central bank some breathing room. At the same time, global economic uncertainty and the high stakes of upcoming trade talks mean officials are reluctant to introduce new variables into the financial system. By holding the rate steady, the Bank of Canada signals confidence in the economy’s underlying resilience while acknowledgin...

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Stock Market Today: Futures Slide Amid Government Shutdown Fears and Sticky Inflation

                                         

U.S. stock futures took a hit on Friday as investors braced for a potential government shutdown and digested mixed inflation data. Futures tied to the S&P 500 dropped 1%, while Nasdaq futures plunged 1.3%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell around 0.5%.

The looming government shutdown, driven by the House of Representatives voting against a spending bill, has heightened concerns among investors. Additionally, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, showed a slight month-over-month increase of 0.1% in November, indicating persistent inflationary pressures.

Key companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom faced significant pressure, while Tesla saw a 6% drop following a vehicle recall. Bitcoin prices also retreated nearly 10% amid record ETF outflows.

Investors remain cautious as they await further developments on both the political and economic fronts.



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