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Canada's Inflation Jumps to 2.4% in March — And Your Grocery and Gas Bills Show It

Canada's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.4% in March 2026 , up sharply from 1.8% in February, according to Statistics Canada data released Monday. The jump was driven almost entirely by soaring energy prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict and its disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — and Canadians felt it directly at the gas pump and grocery store. Headline CPI (March) 2.4% ▲ Up from 1.8% in February Gasoline (monthly) +21.2% Largest monthly jump on record Grocery prices (year/year) +4.4% Up from 4.1% in February Core CPI (ex-gas) 2.2% Milder than expected Gas was the main culprit Gasoline prices surged a record 21.2% month over month in March — the largest single-month jump ever recorded in Canada — as the U.S.-Iran conflict choked off roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. On a year-...

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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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