By Glen Hallick
Glacier FarmMedia | MarketsFarm – The following is a glance at the news moving markets in Canada and globally.
- Crude oil prices were sharply higher on Thursday morning, following the televised address by United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening. Trump did not say when the Middle East war could be over, suggesting the conflict could escalate with more U.S. attacks on Iran. The nearby contracts for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude were near or above US$110 per barrel.
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By Glen Hallick Glacier FarmMedia | MarketsFarm – The following is a glance at the news moving markets in Canada…
- Statistics Canada reported on Thursday that the country’s international merchandise trade saw imports in February increase 8.4 per cent while exports rose 6.4 per cent. That pushed Canada’s merchandise trade deficit for February to C$5.7 billion. For services, StatCan said exports were up 1.5 per cent and imports slipped 0.7 per cent, for a surplus of C$400 million.
- Stellantis announced on Wednesday it could partner with Chinese electric vehicle maker Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology to build EVs in Canada. Stellantis said if a deal is reached, the EVs would be made at its Brampton, Ont. car plant which shuttered in 2025.
- United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a virtual conference of 40 countries on Thursday, in seeking ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without resorting to military force. Iranian strikes on vessels in the Strait brought traffic to a halt, except for a select few. Aside from NATO and other European countries, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Nigeria will participate in the conference.
- Artemis II successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, as the first human mission to the Moon in 54 years entered its second day. Four astronauts, including Canadian Jeremy Hansen, continued to orbit the Earth on Thursday before heading to the Moon tomorrow.
