Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
According to Statistics Canada's preliminary estimate, retail sales increased by a strong 0.4% month-over-month (m/m) in September. When inflation was taken into account, the gain was even more noticeable, with retail sales volume increasing by 0.8% month over month.
Sales at auto and parts dealers were a weaker sector, declining by 0.7% month over month following two months of improvement. Additionally, overall retail sales were impacted by decreasing gas costs. Although they climbed by 3.2% m/m in real terms, gas station and fuel vendor receipts decreased by 2.3% m/m in nominal terms.
Core retail sales up 1.4% month over month in September, excluding sales of cars and receipts from petrol stations. Strong results in food and beverage stores (+3.0% m/m) and building material and garden equipment stores (+3.0% m/m) were the main drivers of this expansion. Additionally, e-commerce revenues increased by 3.3% month over month after declining by 1.5% the month before.
As the third quarter came to a close, retail sales picked up steam, increasing 3.5% on a quarterly (q/q) annualized basis. Real consumption spending is expected to increase by 1.5–2.0% in the third quarter as a result of this strong finish.
