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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 Optimism: U.S. Stock Futures Climb Amid China Trade Talks and Fed Decision

U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday as investors reacted positively to news of upcoming trade discussions between the U.S. and China. Washington announced that representatives from both nations would meet in Switzerland over the weekend, marking a potential step toward de-escalating trade tensions that have rattled global markets.

The Federal Reserve is also in focus, with its policy decision expected later in the day. While the central bank is widely anticipated to hold interest rates steady, traders are closely watching for signals on future monetary policy moves. Market participants are pricing in a possible rate cut by July, following mixed economic data that suggests slowing growth alongside a resilient labor market.

At 07:05 a.m. ET, S&P 500 E-minis were up 0.66%, Nasdaq 100 E-minis gained 0.67%, and Dow E-minis rose 0.73%. Investors are also keeping an eye on corporate earnings, with companies like Walt Disney and Uber Technologies reporting results that could influence market sentiment.

As Wall Street navigates uncertainty, the combination of trade negotiations and Federal Reserve guidance will likely shape market movements in the coming days. Traders remain cautiously optimistic, hoping for clarity on both fronts.

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