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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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Market Turmoil: UnitedHealth's Plunge Sends Dow Spiraling Amid Weekly Losses

The stock market faced another turbulent session as UnitedHealth (UNH) shares plummeted over 22%, dragging the Dow Jones Industrial Average down by more than 500 points. The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 struggled to find footing, with both indexes sputtering after Wednesday’s tech-led sell-off.

UnitedHealth’s sharp decline followed a cut in its full-year profit forecast, making it the worst-performing Dow component of the day. The broader market also felt the weight of uncertainty surrounding trade policies and Federal Reserve decisions, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned of economic challenges ahead  due to tariffs.

Despite a slight rebound in the S&P 500, all three major indexes closed the week lower, with the Dow and Nasdaq falling over 2.5% and the S&P 500 down around 1.5%. Investors now turn their attention to upcoming earnings reports and economic indicators that could shape market sentiment in the coming weeks.


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