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Wall Street Pauses as Oil Surges and Tesla Stumbles

  U.S. stocks stalled on Thursday as investors weighed a sharp rise in oil prices against a wave of fresh corporate earnings. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 hovered near the flat line, while the Nasdaq 100 also showed little movement. Energy markets took center stage after oil futures jumped more than 5% following new U.S. sanctions on Russian producers, pushing Brent crude toward $66 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate closer to $62. The surge added pressure to inflation concerns already weighing on Wall Street. On the corporate front, Tesla shares slipped over 3% in premarket trading after the electric vehicle maker posted mixed third-quarter results, disappointing investors and kicking off the “Magnificent Seven” earnings cycle. IBM stock also dropped about 7% , as stronger-than-expected profits were overshadowed by weaker software revenue. Traders are now awaiting results from American Airlines and T-Mobile , with Intel set to ...
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Toronto’s Condo Crisis: A Dire Signal for Housing Affordability and Rental Market

 

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is facing a condo crisis that has significant implications for housing affordability and rental supply. According to a recent report by CIBC and Urbanation, the GTA’s condo market is “clearly in recessionary territory,” and the nationwide housing crisis is at a level not seen in over 30 years. Here are the key points:

  1. Condo Pre-Sales at a 20-Year Low: Toronto-area condo pre-sales are below 50%, marking a more than 20-year low. High costs, high interest rates, and poor investment prospects have left the market in a challenging situation.

  2. Investor Dilemma: Condo investors play a crucial role in rental supply and overall housing affordability. However, recent investors are mostly losing money, and prospective investors are avoiding new projects due to uncertainty.

  3. Developers Struggle: Developers face rising construction costs due to inflation, coupled with dwindling interest in future projects. This slowdown in future supply exacerbates the crisis.

  4. Limited Relief: Falling interest rates, projected population growth slowdown, and stabilized construction costs provide some relief. However, it’s not a magic solution, and a more comprehensive policy response is needed.

  5. Record-High Inventory: Unsold condo inventory in the second quarter of 2024 reached a record high of 25,893 units, more than 60% higher than the 10- and 20-year averages. Sales were the lowest in 20 years outside of the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In summary, Toronto’s condo market woes underscore the urgent need for housing policy reforms and creative solutions to address affordability and rental challenges.


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