U.S. stock markets surged to fresh record highs this week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumping more than 600 points while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq continued their powerful rally. Investor optimism has been fueled by one dominant theme: artificial intelligence. Technology companies linked to AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and cloud computing are once again leading the market higher. Strong
After a period of aggressive rate cuts in 2024 and 2025, the Bank of Canada has entered 2026 with a different approach: wait, watch, and hold steady. The central bank has kept its benchmark interest rate at 2.25%, and most economists now expect that stance to continue for much of the year. But behind that steady decision lies a
Global oil markets have been thrown into turmoil following a sharp escalation in the conflict involving Iran, sending energy prices higher and raising concerns about the broader economic impact. Recent developments — including U.S. strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical oil export hub — have intensified fears of supply disruptions. The island plays a central
In times of global conflict, gold is usually one of the first assets to surge. It’s long been seen as a “safe haven” — something investors turn to when uncertainty rises. But during the current Iran conflict, something unusual is happening: gold prices are not rising the way many expected. Despite escalating tensions, oil shocks, and
The U.S. economy kicked off 2026 with a stronger-than-expected jobs report, surprising economists and investors alike and reshaping expectations for interest rates and economic momentum. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added 130,000 jobs in January 2026, far more than the roughly 70,000 that most economists had forecast. The unemployment rate also edged lower, dipping
Gold, one of the world’s oldest stores of value, is capturing headlines again in 2026 with prices climbing to unprecedented levels. For the first time ever, spot gold has surged above US $4,800 per ounce, driven by rising safe-haven demand and global geopolitical uncertainty. The moves mark the continuation of a historic run — gold has rallied
As 2025 draws to a close, the precious metals market is finishing with one of the most dramatic rallies in decades — and it’s grabbing attention from investors around the world. Gold prices have surged past $4,500 per ounce, reaching levels never seen before and marking one of the strongest annual gains in history. Silver, meanwhile,
ecent data suggest that Canada’s economy is slowly regaining its footing — and this, in turn, is influencing the path of the Canadian dollar. Here’s a breakdown of where things stand and where markets (and everyday Canadians) might be headed. A Mixed but Stabilizing GDP Picture After a sharp drop in the second quarter of
November has been an eventful month for Canada’s economy, with a new federal budget from Prime Minister Mark Carney and another interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada. Both moves are aimed at stimulating growth, but they’ve also raised questions about whether the country is striking the right balance between spending and stability. Carney’s first budget includes
A Sharp Bounce After the Dip Gold has pulled back up after a recent slide—spot prices rebounded to around US$3,989 per ounce as safe-haven demand kicked in following a bout of global equity weakness. The rebound follows a drop of nearly 2% the prior session, during which gold hit its lowest since late October. Why the Fluctuation? There