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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...

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Market Watch: Tech Titans and Economic Data Shape the Week Ahead

The stock market is poised for a pivotal week as futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite edged lower in early trading. Investors are bracing for a flurry of earnings reports from major tech companies, including Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, which are expected to set the tone for market sentiment. 

Adding to the anticipation, key economic data releases, such as the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge—the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index—and the April jobs report, will provide critical insights into the health of the U.S. economy. These indicators are particularly significant as they may influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions in the coming months.

Last week, the market showed resilience, with the S&P 500 achieving its longest daily positive streak since January. However, the cautious mood among investors reflects the uncertainty surrounding both corporate earnings and broader economic trends. 

As the week unfolds, all eyes will be on how these factors interplay to shape the market's trajectory. Will Big Tech deliver the results needed to sustain investor confidence, or will economic data cast a shadow over the optimism? Stay tuned for what promises to be an eventful week in the financial world.

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