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How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Hitting Your Wallet Right Now

Published May 17, 2026  |  Category: Oil Prices & Energy  |  By MoneySavings.ca If you've winced lately at the gas pump or noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you're not imagining it. A geopolitical crisis unfolding halfway around the world — at a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman — is directly squeezing Canadian budgets. Here's everything you need to know, and what you can do about it. What Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway just 33 kilometres wide at its tightest point, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Despite its modest size, it is the world's single most critical energy chokepoint. Before this crisis, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through it every single day — about 20% of all the world's seaborne oil supply, plus significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Think of it as the world's energy jugular vein. When it gets blocked, the entire planet feels it. What Happened? On Februa...

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Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Rebound Amid China Tariff Retaliation and New Jobs Data

                                    

US stocks rebounded on Tuesday as investors assessed China's swift retaliation to the latest US tariffs and digested fresh jobs data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.2%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.7%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.2%.

China responded to the new 10% tariffs imposed by the US with tariffs of its own on US coal, liquified natural gas, crude oil, farm equipment, and some autos. Despite the escalating trade tensions, some analysts see China's measured response as a potential opening for compromise.

Meanwhile, job openings in the US declined more than expected in December, adding to concerns about the labor market's cooling trend. Investors are closely watching these developments as the Federal Reserve considers future interest rate cuts amid ongoing inflation concerns.

Tech stocks led the gains, with Alphabet (Google) shares rising nearly 2% ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings report. Vaccine stocks, however, fell after Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department advanced to the Senate.

Overall, the market's positive reaction suggests cautious optimism as traders navigate the complexities of trade relations and economic data.



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