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Wall St Futures Slip as Geopolitical Uncertainty and Mixed Earnings Weigh on Sentiment

Wall Street futures slipped early Thursday as investors grew cautious in the absence of clear signals on the U.S.–Iran war, while a wave of mixed earnings added to the uncertainty. Iran’s seizure of two ships in the Strait of Hormuz and its demand that the U.S. lift its naval blockade have heightened geopolitical tensions, even after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely. The standoff continues to keep oil prices above $100 per barrel , raising concerns about a potential inflation flare‑up.  Economists warn that even if the conflict eases, the global economy may take time to normalize after one of the largest oil supply disruptions in decades.  As of early morning trading, Dow E‑minis were down 0.73%, S&P 500 E‑minis slipped 0.50%, and Nasdaq 100 E‑minis fell 0.48% , reflecting a broader pullback in risk appetite.  Earnings added another layer of volatility. Tesla shares fell after the company boosted its annual spending plan to more than $25...

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GST Holiday Fails to Deliver Economic Lift, Data Shows Minimal Impact

                                               

New figures reveal that Canada's GST/HST holiday yielded little boost in consumer spending, falling short of expectations. Payment processor Moneris reported a 4% decline in overall spending during the tax break period compared to the previous year, with both the number and size of transactions dropping slightly. Similarly, a survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) found that only about 5% of small businesses experienced a noticeable sales increase, while the majority reported no significant change in business activity.

Despite the intended relief, many retailers found the initiative more burdensome than beneficial, citing last-minute adjustments to point-of-sale systems and increased administrative challenges. Although certain sectors, like children's apparel, saw minor gains, these were not enough to offset the overall downturn in consumer spending. The data suggests that the tax holiday may have merely shifted the timing of purchases rather than stimulating additional economic activity.


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