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Canada’s Jobless Rate Rises to 6.8% Despite December Hiring

          A employee sorts batteries on a conveyor belt at a recycling facility in Port Colborne, Ontario. Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.8% in December , even though the economy added 8,200 jobs during the month. The increase in unemployment wasn’t driven by widespread layoffs but by a surge in the number of people entering the labour force and actively looking for work. December Highlights Unemployment rate: Up from 6.5% to 6.8% Employment: Net gain of 8,200 jobs Labour force: Expanded significantly, outpacing job creation Full-time work: Increased Part-time work: Declined Why the Rate Rose Economists point out that the rise in unemployment reflects renewed labour market participation , not a weakening economy. More Canadians felt confident enough to start job hunting, but hiring didn’t keep pace with the influx of job seekers. This marks the fourth straight month of employment growth , yet December also saw the largest increas...
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Stock Market Update: Stocks Find Footing as Powell Chills Rate Cut Hopes



US stocks rose on Friday after a stellar month, as investors awaited Fed Chair Powell’s remarks on monetary policy. The S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq all gained around 0.5% or more.

Powell warned that it would be “premature” to conclude that the Fed was done with rate hikes or to speculate when rate cuts could begin. He said the Fed would be guided by data and not by market expectations. He also said inflation had cooled to its lowest levels since 2021.

Oil prices steadied after falling on Thursday, when OPEC+ agreed to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day. However, investors remained skeptical about the effectiveness of the deal to balance the oil market and support prices. WTI crude traded around $76 a barrel, while Brent was below $83.


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