Monday Morning Java

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for the last week of October, that's right, we have just over two months to end off 2025.  This past weekend, I enjoyed both attending and being part of the host Club for Kinsmen's Fall Leadership Conference.  It's an event that brings Kinsmen from across the province together and strikes a great balance between seriousness, fun, and fellowship.  But enough about that, let's get to your Java...

A Cup of Coffee

US inflation is still hot; the data is still late. After weeks of silence during the shutdown, the CPI finally landed: Prices rose 0.3% in September, energy costs jumped, and Trump’s tariffs are still doing what tariffs do best.

The Fed may be flying blind again. With the BLS shuttered by the shutdown, next month’s inflation report may never arrive — leaving markets and policymakers to navigate the economy by rumour and regression.

Retro is getting rung up again. From Toys “R” Us to Abercrombie & Fitch, mall icons of the ’90s are back, and this time, they’re selling nostalgia alongside new logos, TikTok-ready stores, and a touch of corporate amnesia.

The Great Inheritance is a mess. An $84 trillion inheritance wave is coming, but with most unprepared, estate lawyers are bracing for battles that could turn generational wealth into generational conflict.

A Cup of Tea

On October 27, 1980, Canada’s Parliament passed the motion to adopt “O Canada” as the official national anthem, cementing its place in Canadian identity. The anthem, originally composed in 1880, became a unifying symbol for Canadians coast to coast. This historic decision reflected Canada’s growing sense of national pride and cultural unity.

A Little Snack

Stocks closed higher as CPI inflation came in cooler than expected, easing rate concerns.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs, led by strong gains in technology and communication services.

Trade tensions resurfaced after President Trump ended negotiations with Canada following a tariff dispute, though Ontario’s government pledged to pause the offending ads.

Bond yields fell, with the 10-year Treasury at 4.00%.

Oil prices rose after new U.S. sanctions on Russian energy firms, while Europe’s PMI data signalled the fastest growth since May 2023.

Movers and Shakers

(+) Ford Motor ($F) +12% after the automaker beat earnings.

(+) IBM ($IBM) +8% after Bank of America increased its price target; the company will use AMD chips for quantum.

(–) Beyond Meat ($BYND) -23% after a price cut by Mizuho.

Have a fun and productive week!