Core Insights - The Canadian labor market showed positive changes in June 2025, with employment increasing by 83,000 (+0.4%), leading to an employment rate of 60.9% and a decrease in the unemployment rate to 6.9% [1] - The growth in employment was primarily driven by the core age group of 25-54 years, with male employment rising by 62,000 (+0.8%) and female employment by 29,000 (+0.4%) [1] - The youth and 55+ age groups showed little change in employment, indicating stable employment willingness and market demand in these demographics [1] Industry Analysis - The wholesale and retail sector saw a significant increase in employment by 34,000 (+1.1%), reflecting a vibrant consumer market and strong growth potential for related companies [2] - The healthcare and social assistance sector added 17,000 jobs (+0.6%), driven by aging population trends and increased health awareness, indicating long-term investment potential [2] - Conversely, agricultural employment decreased by 6,000 (-2.6%), suggesting potential challenges in the sector that investors should monitor [2] Regional Employment Trends - Employment growth was uneven across regions, with Alberta leading with an increase of 30,000 jobs (+1.2%), followed by Quebec (+23,000, +0.5%), Ontario (+21,000, +0.3%), and Manitoba (+8,500, +1.2%) [2] - The employment growth in these provinces is expected to boost local economic activity, consumption, and investment opportunities [2] Wage and Hour Trends - Total hours worked in June increased by 0.5%, with a year-on-year growth of 1.6%, indicating rising production demand and active business operations [3] - The average hourly wage rose by 3.2% to CAD 36.01, enhancing consumer purchasing power and reflecting a balanced labor supply-demand relationship [3] - Compared to the U.S., Canada has a higher employment rate, suggesting a more favorable environment for labor market participation, which could attract international investment [3]

Group 1: Market Overview - The S&P 500 index rose by 1.5% last week, driven by signs of easing in the US-China trade war[11] - The Nasdaq 100 increased by 2.0%, while the Russell 2000 saw a rise of 3.2%[11] - The trade war has shown signs of thawing, with a meeting between US and Chinese officials being viewed as a significant step towards negotiations[11] Group 2: Economic Indicators - The US consumer confidence index surged from 85.7 in April to 98 in May, marking the first increase since November of the previous year[20] - The April Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose by 0.1% month-on-month, with a year-on-year increase of 2.5%[25] - The unemployment rate slightly increased from 4.187% in April to 4.244% in May, indicating a rise in joblessness despite a modest increase in non-farm payrolls[35] Group 3: Market Risks - There is a persistent trend of de-dollarization in global liquidity, as investors show reduced confidence in US dollar assets[16] - The ISM manufacturing PMI fell to 48.5 in May, indicating a contraction in the manufacturing sector for the third consecutive month[41] - The forecast for S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) has been revised downwards by approximately 4.0% in April and May, reflecting concerns over inflation and tariffs[46]