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Canada Holds Steady: Interest Rate Pause Signals Cautious Confidence

                      The Bank of Canada also held its policy rate at its last scheduled rate announcement in December. The Bank of Canada has opted to keep its key interest rate at 2.25% , a move that underscores a careful balancing act as the country approaches a pivotal moment in North American trade relations. With CUSMA (the Canada‑United States‑Mexico Agreement) negotiations on the horizon, policymakers appear intent on maintaining stability while assessing potential economic turbulence. The decision reflects a mix of optimism and prudence. Inflation has been easing gradually, giving the central bank some breathing room. At the same time, global economic uncertainty and the high stakes of upcoming trade talks mean officials are reluctant to introduce new variables into the financial system. By holding the rate steady, the Bank of Canada signals confidence in the economy’s underlying resilience while acknowledgin...
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Stock Market Today: Dow Extends Slide as Lackluster Earnings and Rate Fears Weigh on Investors’ Spirits

 

US stocks faced further losses on Thursday, with lingering concerns about higher-for-longer interest rates and a Salesforce sell-off dampening investor spirits. Here are the key points from today’s market:

  1. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI): The Dow sank as much as 1%, shedding roughly 380 points, following Wednesday’s stock market slide. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) dropped about 0.6%, while the broader S&P 500 (GSPC) fell 0.5%.

  2. Interest Rate Worries: Renewed gloom about the odds for rate cuts contributed to the stock market decline. Data showed less cooling in inflation than the Federal Reserve desires, driving US bond yields to their highest levels since early May. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 4.6%.

  3. Salesforce Results: Salesforce (CRM) reported that sales growth would stall to the slowest rate in its history, causing its shares to slide 15%. This sparked concerns about likely losers in the AI boom.

  4. US Economic Growth: The Bureau of Economic Analysis revised the first-quarter US gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate to 1.3%, down from the initial reading of 1.6% in April.

  5. Retail Earnings: Retailers Kohl’s (KSS) and Best Buy (BBY) provided clues to consumer resilience and economic health. Kohl’s shares cratered after a surprise quarterly loss and a cut to its annual sales forecast, while Best Buy posted a bigger drop in comparable sales than expected.

Despite these challenges, investors remain watchful for any signs of economic recovery and potential market shifts. 



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