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5 Things to Know Today: 68,000 Jobs Lost, a Weaker Loonie and the Oct. 28 BoC Decision

  Oct 12, 2026   Happy Thanksgiving. Canadian markets are closed today, but the numbers that shape your wallet aren't taking the day off. Here are five things to know on Monday, October 12. 1. Canada lost about 68,000 jobs in September, wiping out 2026's gains Statistics Canada reported that employment fell by roughly 68,000 in September, following a 41,700-job drop in August. The unemployment rate edged up to 6.5% from 6.4%. Economists had forecast a small gain. Put the two months together and Canada has lost about 41,200 jobs so far this year, compared with a gain of 211,300 over the same stretch of 2025, according to Reuters. The losses were spread almost evenly between full-time and part-time work and were concentrated in the public sector. Workers aged 15 to 24 lost 48,000 jobs, Quebec shed 49,000, and Ontario's unemployment rate sits at 7.0%, the highest among the large provinces. Average hourly wages were up 2.3% from a year ago. What it means for you: A softening j...

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Futures Slip as Wall Street Awaits Jobs Data and Defense Stocks Bounce Back

US stock futures drifted lower Thursday morning as investors positioned themselves ahead of fresh labor‑market data and monitored a sharp rebound in major defense stocks. The cautious tone follows a stretch of record‑setting gains, prompting traders to reassess risk amid shifting expectations for Federal Reserve policy and rising geopolitical tensions.

Nasdaq 100 futures dipped around 0.3%, while S&P 500 futures slipped roughly 0.2%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell about 0.4%, extending the previous session’s uneven trading. Investors are watching closely for weekly jobless‑claims figures and Friday’s broader employment report, both of which could influence the Fed’s next interest‑rate decision.

Defense stocks, which tumbled a day earlier after criticism from President Trump, surged in premarket trading. Trump signaled support for dramatically higher military spending—potentially reaching $1.5 trillion annually—lifting shares of major contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

Markets are also digesting heightened geopolitical risks, including US actions involving Venezuelan oil shipments, adding another layer of uncertainty for global investors.

With equities still hovering near historic highs, Thursday’s labor data may determine whether the recent rally regains momentum or pauses for a deeper cooldown.

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