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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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Market Resilience Amid Rising Yields and Positive Earnings

 

In a display of resilience, the S&P 500 closed marginally higher after a session marked by volatility, as investors navigated the dual forces of climbing Treasury yields and encouraging corporate earnings, particularly from tech behemoths.

  • Treasury Yields Climb: An auction of $70 billion in five-year U.S. Treasury notes drove yields higher, influencing equity markets. The 10-year Treasury note rose to 4.6459%.
  • Tech Giants’ Earnings: Investors’ attention was captured by earnings reports from major technology companies. Meta Platforms saw a dip in after-hours trading, while Microsoft and Alphabet are poised to report later in the week.
  • Tesla’s Surge: Tesla’s stock leapt by 12% as plans to increase production and introduce more affordable models outweighed its weaker quarterly results.
  • Economic Indicators Awaited: Markets are now looking ahead to the first quarter GDP data and March’s personal consumption expenditures, which could signal the Fed’s interest rate trajectory.

Investors remain cautious yet optimistic as they parse through the latest financial data, seeking signs of stability in a fluctuating economic landscape.

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