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5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...

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Wall Street's Balancing Act: Tariff Talks and Market Movements

U.S. stock futures dipped slightly today as investors assessed the implications of easing tariff tensions between the United States and China. This comes after President Trump hinted at scaling back the hefty tariffs on Chinese imports, which have been a major point of contention in global trade relations.

While optimism surrounding trade negotiations has buoyed the market in recent sessions, mixed signals from both nations have left investors cautious. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell by 0.4%, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures also showed minor declines. Tech stocks, which had rallied earlier in the week, are now facing a more subdued outlook as the market awaits further clarity on trade policies.

In addition to trade developments, corporate earnings reports are adding another layer of complexity to market dynamics. Companies like Alphabet and Intel have reported contrasting results, influencing sector-specific movements.

As Wall Street navigates these uncertainties, the focus remains on how easing tariff tensions and corporate performance will shape the broader economic landscape. 


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