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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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Stock Market Update: Earnings Season Sparks Volatility

 

As the trading week kicks off, US stock futures are on a slippery slope, with investors closely monitoring corporate earnings reports. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening in the financial world:

1. Earnings in Focus

Investors are keeping a keen eye on earnings announcements from major US retailers. Walmart and Home Depot are stepping into the spotlight. Walmart, often considered a bellwether for consumer spending, will provide valuable insights into the health of the US economy. Meanwhile, Home Depot’s results hint at consumer demand amid persistent inflation concerns. The recent data has challenged the notion of a smooth economic recovery, leading to cautious optimism.

2. Nvidia’s Turning Point

Wednesday’s earnings report from Nvidia, a tech giant specializing in AI-focused chips, looms large. As one of the market’s megacap stocks, Nvidia’s performance could sway overall sentiment. Investors are hoping for positive news, but any shortfall might trigger broader stock market pullbacks.

3. Discover Financial Services Acquisition

Discover Financial Services shares surged nearly 13% in premarket trading after news broke that Warren Buffett-backed Capital One plans to acquire the credit card issuer in a $35 billion deal. If successful, this merger would create the sixth-largest US bank by assets.

4. China’s Property Crisis and Rate Cuts

China’s central bank made a record cut to its key mortgage rate in an effort to address a worsening property crisis. The move adds to the muted mood in global markets.

Market Indices

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA): 38,627.99 (-0.37%)
  • S&P 500 (S&P): 5,005.57 (-0.48%)
  • NASDAQ Composite (NASDAQ): 15,775.65 (-0.82%)


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