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Market Volatility: Stocks Flatten as Powell's Remarks Weigh on Gains

The stock market experienced a turbulent session on Wednesday, ultimately closing near flat after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments on monetary policy and inflation concerns. The S&P 500 ended nearly unchanged , giving back earlier gains as investors digested Powell’s remarks on the Fed’s stance regarding interest rates and economic restraint. Powell reiterated that the central bank remains cautious about inflation, particularly in light of tariff-driven price increases expected over the summer. While the Fed signaled that borrowing costs are likely to decline this year, the pace of future rate cuts appears to be slowing.  Following Powell’s speech, U.S. Treasury yields reversed their earlier declines , influencing market sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 43.83 points (0.10%) , while the Nasdaq Composite managed a slight gain of 23.66 points (0.12%).  Investors also kept a close eye on geopolitical developments, particularly tensions in the Midd...

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Canada’s Inflation Rate Falls to 1.7% in April Amid Energy Price Decline, but Core Inflation Persists

Canada’s annual inflation rate eased to 1.7% in April, marking a notable decline from 2.3% in March. The drop was largely driven by lower energy prices, particularly gasoline, which fell 18.1% year-over-year following the removal of the consumer carbon price. However, core inflation measures—which exclude volatile items like energy—continued to rise, reflecting persistent price pressures in other sectors.

Despite the overall slowdown, food prices remained elevated, with fresh vegetables, beef, and coffee among the items seeing price increases. Additionally, travel tour costs surged 6.7%, contributing to inflationary pressures outside the energy sector.

The latest inflation figures come just weeks before the Bank of Canada’s next interest rate decision on June 4, raising questions about whether policymakers will adjust rates in response to the mixed inflation signals. While lower energy costs have provided relief to consumers, the continued rise in core inflation suggests that underlying price pressures remain a concern.


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