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Canada’s Jobless Rate Rises to 6.8% Despite December Hiring

          A employee sorts batteries on a conveyor belt at a recycling facility in Port Colborne, Ontario. Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.8% in December , even though the economy added 8,200 jobs during the month. The increase in unemployment wasn’t driven by widespread layoffs but by a surge in the number of people entering the labour force and actively looking for work. December Highlights Unemployment rate: Up from 6.5% to 6.8% Employment: Net gain of 8,200 jobs Labour force: Expanded significantly, outpacing job creation Full-time work: Increased Part-time work: Declined Why the Rate Rose Economists point out that the rise in unemployment reflects renewed labour market participation , not a weakening economy. More Canadians felt confident enough to start job hunting, but hiring didn’t keep pace with the influx of job seekers. This marks the fourth straight month of employment growth , yet December also saw the largest increas...

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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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