April 15-30, 2026

2026-04-30

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: Slow growth for Canadian economy: The Canadian economy continues to show tepid growth. Gross domestic product rose by just 0.2 per cent in February after rising 0.1 per cent in the month prior. StatCan estimates the economy showed no growth at all in March. Output rose in eight of 20 industrial sectors in February, with manufacturing leading the way, rising 1.8 per cent month over month, the largest increase since January 2023.

Mixed results from big tech: The latest earnings results from the big U.S. tech companies are the big story for investors today. Shares of Alphabet surged in the premarket. The Google parent beat expectations on both revenue and profit, with particular strength in its cloud business. Amazon also traded higher as results point to improving momentum in its cloud business as well. On the downside, Microsoft shares lost ground as growth in its Azure business disappointed some investors, while shares of Meta fell sharply amid concerns about higher spending tied to its AI plans.

Services business drives Bombardier cash flow: Bombardier posted stronger first-quarter results, with both profit and revenue up from a year ago. Profit jumped by 20 per cent; revenue also rose, driven by the services side of its business. Bombardier says its order backlog has topped twenty billion dollars, and it now expects full-year free cash flow to be US$1 billion, which is at the upper end of its guidance range.

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2026-04-29

[Update] The Bank of Canada said Wednesday that it is holding the key interest rate at 2.25 per cent.

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: The Bank of Canada is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2. 25 % today, as it weighs multiple factors that have clouded the outlook for inflation and the economy. In addition to trade uncertainty, the war in the middle east – and its impact on oil prices and inflation - has added more ambiguity to economic outlooks. We will break the news live on BNN Bloomberg at 9:45 am eastern time, with expert analysis … then bring you Tiff Macklem’s news conference at 10:30 et

Fed expected to hold on rates

The U.S. Federal Reserve will make a policy announcement as well today. The Fed is also expected to keep rates on hold, in what could be Jerome Powell’s final meeting as Fed chair. Despite pressure from U.S. President Trump, stubborn inflation and a resilient labour market leaves little room for interest rate cuts at this time. That announcement comes at 2pm et.

Ottawa’s fiscal plan

Late yesterday afternoon the federal government’s spring economic update included a lower projected deficit by almost $12 billion. However, the figure is tracking to decline only nominally in the years ahead. The update also included investing plans for billions on training and recruiting skilled trade workers; millions on Canadian athletes and sporting events, and reducing the Canada Pension Plan contribution rate.

Oil rises on new Trump threats

Oil prices moved higher again this morning as traders balanced the United Arab Emirates’ shock departure from OPEC with indications that a near-term conclusion to the Iran war is unlikely. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by more than 3%, topping US$103 per barrel. U.S. President Trump threatened Iran in a social media post, saying the country “better get smart soon!” and accusing Tehran’s leadership of failing to “get their act together.”

Generic Ozempic coming to Canada

For the first time, Health Canada has approved a generic version of Ozempic. This paves the way for cheaper access to popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs. The federal department says it is currently reviewing eight other submissions for generic semaglitude by different companies. Semaglitude is the main ingredient in Ozempic. Launch preparations are underway but a timeframe has not been provided.

[Investopedia, USA]: Four of America's most valuable companies are set to report earnings after the closing bell Wednesday, in what could potentially be the biggest event of this earnings season.

The lineup includes results from "Magnificent Seven" members Amazon (AMZN), Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOGL), and traders anticipate big moves in the companies' share prices following the releases. Apple (AAPL), another member of the group of major tech companies, is scheduled to report its results on Thursday.

Key Takeaways

Gas prices have jumped to $4.18 a gallon—the highest level since August 2022—after a brief dip earlier this month.

Prices are up $1.20 per gallon since the end of February, when the Iran conflict began and oil markets started surging.

Gas prices vary widely by state, with only a few holding below $3.70 while several top $5 a gallon.

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2026-04-28

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: The federal government is set to announce its fiscal update this afternoon. According to recent data, Canada ran a budget deficit of close to $26 billion between April and February, much better than the $78 billion deficit projected in the annual budget plan. Prime Minister Mark carney yesterday said the update will deliver encouraging news on the country’s public finances. BNN Bloomberg will have live coverage of the federal government’s economic update beginning at 4PM eastern time, including interviews with former finance ministers John Manley and Joe Oliver.

UAE leaving OPEC

The United Arab Emirates says it has decided to exit OPEC and OPEC+ as of May 1. The nation says the decision is in-line with its strategic and economic long-term plan. Following the exit, the UAE says it will continue to act responsibly and gradually increase production in a measure manner aligned with demand and market conditions. The UAE had been a longtime member of OPEC, first through its emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1967 and later when the UAE became its own country in 1971. The move had been rumored for some time, with the Emirates unhappy about production restrictions and increasingly difficult relations with neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Rogers offering employee buyouts

Rogers Communications is offering voluntary departure packages to a significant part of its workforce, as the telecom giant moves to cut costs amid slowing industry growth. Depending on the rate of acceptance, the offers could see as many as 10,000 employees leaving the company. The actual number of departures will likely be significantly less than that. Past examples of buyout programs suggest that around 10% apply for an exit package, which would represent about 1,000 employees in this case. Not everyone who applies will be accepted.

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2026-04-27

[Bnn Bloomberg, Canada]: Shell buying ARC Resources for $22 billion: We have a major deal this morning in Canada’s energy sector. ARC Resources is being taken over by Shell, in a deal valued at $22 billion including assumed debt. Shell says the transaction strengthens its integrated gas business and expands its footprint in Canada through ARC’s Montney assets. The offer is a mix of cash and stock, and represents a 27 per cent premium to ARC’s most recent trading price.

Oil rises as peace talks stall: Meanwhile the price of oil traded higher this morning after efforts to resume peace talks over the Iran war stalled. Brent climbed as much as three per cent to US$108.50 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate advanced toward US$97. The standoff has left the Strait of Hormuz almost impassable. There are reports Tehran offered the U.S. a fresh proposal to open the strait. Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip by his top envoys to Pakistan, which is mediating talks, while Iran said it won’t negotiate if it’s being threatened.

Feds to announce sovereign wealth fund: There are multiple reports that Prime Minister Mark Carney will unveil a sovereign wealth fund today. The fund would be used to invest in major projects the federal government has committed to in the coming years. The plan would also allow individual Canadians to contribute. The details are expected to be presented at an event later today in Ottawa.

Ottawa to forecast lower deficit: The Globe and Mail is reporting the federal government will forecast a lower deficit in its upcoming spring economic statement. The update is scheduled to be released Tuesday by finance minister François‑Philippe Champagne. The current fiscal plan projects a deficit of more than $78 billion for 2025-26 and over $65 billion dollars for the fiscal year that began April 1.

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2026-04-24

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: Stunning sales forecast fuels Intel stock: Intel Corp. shares are on track to hit their highest level ever after the chipmaker delivered a blockbuster sales forecast that shattered Wall Street expectations. Revenue will be US$13.8 billion to $14.8 billion in the June quarter, the company said Thursday in a statement. Analysts estimated $13 billion on average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Intel shares soared as much as 31 per cent in premarket trading on Friday, setting up the stock to surpass its last peak about 26 years ago. It had gained 81 per cent this year heading into the report, closing at $66.78. The upbeat outlook suggests that Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan is making progress on a comeback plan that aims to position the chipmaker to benefit from the build out of artificial intelligence computing. After lining up major investments in Intel last year — helping to strengthen the company’s balance sheet — he’s now delivering on a promise to improve operations.

SAP report beats estimates in AI push: SAP SE reported revenue growth from its cloud services that beat analysts’ estimates after Europe’s biggest software company began integrating artificial intelligence agents into the service. Cloud revenue increased to €5.96 billion (US$7 billion) in the first quarter, Walldorf, Germany-based SAP said Thursday in a statement. That compared with an average analyst estimate of €5.9 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The current cloud backlog, a measure of deals growth coming in over the next 12 months, was 25 per cent at constant currencies, SAP said. That was in line with analysts’ estimates. In the company’s January financial report, SAP stock slid after the metric came in at 25 per cent, a level that Chief Executive Officer Christian Klein had previously said would be a “disappointment.” SAP maintained its annual forecast for cloud revenue of €25.8 billion to €26.2 billion. Shares in SAP rose as much as 7.3 per cent in Frankfurt on Friday morning, the most in a year. The shares are down 28 per cent so far this year.

Canadian AI hopes to offer government alternative to U.S. and Chinese sources: Artificial intelligence start-up Cohere will acquire German AI firm Aleph Alpha to offer governments and firms “sovereign” alternatives to huge U.S. and Chinese tech firms, officials said Friday. The dominance of American and Chinese giants in the AI race has raised fears in Europe and other parts of the world about the data security, especially in sensitive areas. “What is being created here is a globally competitive and vertically integrated provider that meets data sovereignty and the highest security standards,” said Germany’s digital minister, Karsten Wildberger. “Germany and Canada fully support this merger politically,” he told a Berlin joint press conference. Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez said the joint company would be built on “shared Canadian-German values where privacy, security and responsible innovation are paramount”. The deal price was not publicly disclosed, but the Financial Times newspaper estimated the total value at US$20 billion, citing sources with knowledge of the terms. Cohere has managed to become “one of the very few non-U.S., non-Chinese AI frontier firms at a global scale”, said Canadian AI Minister Evan Solomon.

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2026-04-23

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: Carney: U.S. will not dictate trade talk terms: Prime Minister Mark Carney says the U.S. does not dictate the terms of trade talks with Canada. Responding to questions about ongoing Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement negotiations with the Americans, Carney told reporters the Canadian delegation is aware of what the U.S. “would call trade irritants,” and that “we have some on our side as well.” There were reports yesterday the Trump administration is demanding concessions from Canada before it will begin serious negotiations on a new trade agreement.

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2026-04-22

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: North American stocks are set to rebound after U.S. President Donald Trump indefinitely extended his ceasefire with Iran. Markets are also getting a boost from earnings reports from major companies including Boeing and AT&T. Brent crude briefly climbed above $100 a barrel as talks earmarked for Islamabad failed to take place, leaving the Strait of Hormuz mostly shut. Iran’s navy says it has seized two container ships in the Strait.

TMX buying CBOE assets

The TMX Group is buying CBOE Global Markets’ Canadian and Australian units in a deal worth about US$300 million. The Toronto Stock Exchange owner says the acquisition will expand its global footprint and support long term growth. TMX says it expects the deal to add to earnings within a year, but the deal is still subject to regulatory approval.

Sports and media boosts Rogers

Rogers Communications posted first quarter revenue above expectations while matching profit estimates. Rogers’ sports and media revenue grew by 82% from a year ago after the company increased its stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Rogers added 28,000 postpaid mobile subscribers during the quarter, more than double what analysts expected.

Strike looms over Metro

Revenue in the latest quarter at Metro beat estimates, even as profit came in short of expectations. The Montreal-based grocer saw sales rise by more than four percent. However, Metro is warning that a strike at its Laval distribution centre could weigh on results in the current quarter. Metro says it has a contingency plan in place for distribution , and its Quebec stores are now generally well stocked.

Boeing cuts loss

Boeing reported a smaller than expected loss for the first quarter, with improvements across its businesses, including its key commercial aircraft unit, as the manufacturer tries to stem years of losses. Sales rose 14% to US$22.22 billion. Boeing says it still expects certification of the long-delayed 737 Max 7 and Max 10, the smallest and largest of the best-selling Max family aircraft, later this year, with deliveries starting in 2027.

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2026-04-21

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple’s CEO after 15 years in the role. John Ternus will be the next CEO. The hardware chief will take office on September 1, as Cook shifts to the role of executive chairman. The iphone maker says Cook will engage with policymakers around the world. Ternus has spent 25 years focused on product development at Apple and has served as the head of hardware engineering since 2021. Apple’s post-Cook future may hinge on how Ternus adapts the company to AI trends and the overall fast-evolving tech landscape.

U.S. Fed chair nominee hearing

U.S. Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh will answer questions from the U.S. Senate Banking Committee today, beginning at 10am et. Warsh will be looking to convince lawmakers he can deal with a push from the White House for lower interest rates while preserving independence and objectivity in setting policy. The former Fed governor will face questioning over a variety of subjects, from monetary policy to banking regulation to his own complicated personal finances.

Feds mull southern pipeline route

The Globe and Mail is reporting the federal government is leaning towards a southern pipeline route to bring oil from Alberta to British Columbia. According to the report, the route could end at the port of Vancouver. It could also face fewer environmental hurdles and less resistance from indigenous groups. According to one source, Alberta expects Ottawa to designate the pipeline a project of national importance this fall.

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2026-04-20

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: Inflation surges in Canada: Canada’s inflation rate surged to 2.4 per cent in March as the Iran war triggered a record increase in gasoline prices. Gas prices jumped by 21.2 per cent on the month, according to Statistics Canada’s report. The inflation data provides the first glimpse into the Iran war’s impact on prices in Canada. The Bank of Canada has signalled that it plans to look through the short-term impact of the oil shock.

Oil surges, stocks dip on Iran tensions: The price of oil is surging, and North American stock markets were set to open in the red after a turbulent weekend in the Middle East cast doubt on the prospects for peace in the region. Iran halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. seized an Iranian ship, dimming hopes of a breakthrough in efforts to end the war. West Texas Intermediate surged by more than five per cent in early trading

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2026-04-17

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: Stocks rally on Mideast peace optimism: North American stocks are set to open higher again, and the price of oil is falling back, after U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran may be nearing, with a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah boosting hopes for broader peace. Trump says Iran has made new concessions and suggested a renewed truce may not be necessary, though officials say a full agreement could still take months. U.S. stock indices have surged to record highs this week, with the TSX about 400 points from its peak.

Canada presses for wider U.S. trade agreement: Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic Leblanc says Ottawa wants to resolve trade frictions with the Trump administration as part of a comprehensive agreement, rather than through “one-off” deals. Speaking at the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade, Leblanc noted the issues U.S. officials raise privately are the same ones they’ve outlined publicly. A recent report by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office flagged Canada’s dairy system, amongst other long-standing trade concerns.

Netflix under pressure: Netflix shares were tanking in the premarket after the company issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and announced co-founder Reed Hastings will step down from the board. Netflix forecast second quarter profit below expectations, and projected revenue that also missed estimates. The company says it plans to boost spending on content and expand sports programming, even as leadership emphasized discipline following its failed bid for Warner Bros Discovery.

West Fraser taking charge on U.S. duties: West Fraser Timber says it expects to record a $73 million non-cash charge in Q1 due to preliminary softwood lumber duty rates. The anti-dumping and countervailing duties issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce are expected to be finalized and come into effect later this year. West Fraser is set to release its full quarterly results next week.

Feds to hold investment summit: The federal government has announced plans to hold the first-ever Canada Investment Summit this September in Toronto. The summit will convene the world’s largest investors, including top CEOs, entrepreneurs, and prominent global business leaders. The summit is focused on attracting new investment into Canada to advance nation-building projects, create new career opportunities for Canadians, and grow the economy. The summit will be hosted by the federal government in partnership with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board.

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2026-04-16

[Bnn Bloomberg Canada]: Despite war, stocks hit record highs: Despite the war in the Middle East, and the resulting impacts on energy prices and the global economy, stocks continue to move higher. Yesterday the main U.S. index, the S&P 500, closed at a record high, while the TSX composite is less than 400 points from its peak. Stock markets have rebounded as signs of easing tensions in the Middle East combined with a fresh burst of AI optimism and corporate earnings pushed investors to abandon their cautious views. Still, delegates at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Washington have cautioned that markets are underestimating the war’s economic damage.

Canadian real estate still sluggish: Canadian home prices fell for a sixteenth straight month as rising mortgage rates kept buyers on the sidelines. Data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) shows the benchmark price slipped 0.4 per cent in March, the lowest level since 2021. Higher oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict pushed mortgage rates higher, adding pressure during what’s typically the spring buying season. Meanwhile CREA has cut its 2026 housing outlook. The association is now forecasting 474,972 home sales this year, which would be one per cent higher than 2025. In a January forecast, CREA predicted sales would climb 5.1 per cent in 2026.