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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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Tech Stocks Lead Market Rally as Fed Signals Potential Rate Cut

 

In a significant market rally today, stocks soared, driven by a resurgence in tech shares. Nvidia led the charge, surging 12% after a positive earnings report and favorable analyst comments. The broader market also benefited from the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinting that a rate cut could be on the table for September.

The S&P 500 rose nearly 1.6%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite surged more than 2.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a more modest gain of 0.2%. Powell’s comments provided a boost to investor sentiment, as he noted that the economy is moving closer to the point where a rate reduction might be appropriate.

Tech stocks, which had been under pressure recently, rebounded strongly. Nvidia’s impressive performance was a highlight, with the company’s shares regaining ground lost earlier in the week. Other tech giants also saw gains, contributing to the overall positive market sentiment.

In commodities, oil prices jumped following geopolitical tensions, with Brent crude rising over 4% to top $81 a barrel. Meanwhile, Meta’s stock rose more than 4% after reporting better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter,

Overall, today’s market action reflects growing optimism among investors, buoyed by the potential for a more accommodative monetary policy and strong performances from key tech companies.


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