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Canada’s Housing Market Faces Headwinds Despite BoC Moves

The Bank of Canada’s 25-basis-point cut in September was at best ignored by the national market, with sales falling 1.7 per cent compared to the month before. The Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate adjustments have done little to revive the country’s housing market, which continues to struggle under the weight of broader economic concerns. In September, the central bank cut its policy rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 2.5%. Yet, instead of sparking renewed activity, national home sales actually fell by 1.7% compared to the previous month.  Economists note that the housing market is no longer moving in lockstep with monetary policy, but is instead being shaped by regional affordability challenges, consumer psychology, and—most critically—job security fears. Uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy has also cast a shadow over Canada’s economic outlook. Businesses remain hesitant to invest, and households are wary of making major financial commitments such as home purchas...

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Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Futures Surge as Investors Await Powell's Remarks

                                     

U.S. stock futures rose on Wednesday, with tech stocks leading the charge towards fresh record highs as investors eagerly await Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's remarks for clues on future interest rates.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures climbed 0.5%, or over 200 points, while S&P 500 futures added 0.3% following an all-time closing high. Contracts on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 led the way with a 0.7% gain.

Salesforce stock surged around 13% in pre-market trading after the software maker's quarterly revenue beat boosted hopes for its AI products. Shares of Okta and Marvell also jumped amid well-received earnings reports, setting a positive tone for tech stocks.

Investors are keen to hear Powell's speech in New York later today, with growing confidence in a potential December rate cut. Fed officials have signaled support for more easing as they prepare for their final meeting of the year.

A reading on private payrolls in November is also in focus after job openings data suggested the labor market is softening but not too much. The ADP report highlights a busy Wednesday of PMIs and other economic releases, leading into the all-important monthly jobs report on Friday.

Political turmoil in France and South Korea is also on investors' radar, with French lawmakers set to vote on a no-confidence motion and South Korea's president facing impeachment after briefly declaring martial law.


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