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Markets Rebound as Trump Softens Stance on Power Plant Shutdown Threat

  Stock futures surged early Monday after President Donald Trump backed away from a threat to shut down certain U.S. power plants, easing investor concerns about potential disruptions to the energy grid and broader economic fallout. Major index futures—including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq—turned sharply higher as traders interpreted the shift as a sign of policy stability after a volatile week. The reversal helped restore confidence across sectors that had been rattled by the possibility of sudden regulatory intervention. Oil prices, meanwhile, tumbled as energy markets recalibrated. Crude had spiked on fears of supply constraints tied to the power plant dispute, but with the threat withdrawn, prices slid back toward recent lows. Analysts noted that the drop reflects both reduced geopolitical tension and ongoing concerns about global demand. Investors will now be watching for additional signals from the administration and regulators to determine whether Monday’s rally mar...

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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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