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Markets Rebound as U.S. Ceasefire Proposal to Iran Sparks Investor Optimism

  U.S. stock futures surged early Wednesday as reports of a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal to Iran boosted market sentiment and pushed oil prices sharply lower. Investors reacted positively to signs of potential de‑escalation in the Middle East, lifting Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures after a volatile week. U.S. stock futures climbed on Wednesday following reports that Washington sent Iran a 15‑point ceasefire plan aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The development injected cautious optimism into global markets, which have been rattled by geopolitical tensions in recent weeks.  Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 rose around 1% , while Nasdaq 100 futures jumped more than 1% , reversing some of the previous session’s losses. The shift in sentiment was amplified by a sharp retreat in oil prices— WTI crude fell over 5% , easing inflation concerns and improving the outlook for corporate margins.  The reported ceasef...

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Canada’s Job Market Remains Steady in December 2023



Canada’s economy added just 100 jobs in December and the unemployment rate held steady at 5.8 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Employment growth slowed in the second half of 2023, averaging 23,000 per month, compared with the first six months of 2023, when it averaged 48,000 per month. At the same time, average hourly wages increased 5.4 per cent year-over-year, following a rise of 4.8 per cent in November.

Canada’s job market remained steady in December 2023, with the economy adding just 100 jobs and the unemployment rate holding steady at 5.8 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. The data agency said that employment was virtually unchanged from November, following an increase of 25,000 jobs the previous month. Employment growth slowed in the second half of 2023, averaging 23,000 per month, compared with the first six months of 2023, when it averaged 48,000 per month. At the same time, average hourly wages increased 5.4 per cent year-over-year, following a rise of 4.8 per cent in November. This is a significant increase in wages, which could help to offset the slower employment growth in the second half of the year.


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