Calming Inflationary Fears Is Job Number One

Danielle Park, CFA6.47K FollowersFollow5ShareSavePlay(7min)CommentsSummaryInvestors spent most of the first two months of 2026 stripping out rate-hike expectations - then, over just a few trading sessions, those bets came roaring back as conflict in Iran sparked.Today, we have the weakest labour markets in years. The US unemployment rate is 4.4% as of February 2026, with approximately 7.6 million people unemployed.In Canada, the official unemployment rate is 6.7% as of February 2026, up from 6.5% in January.With consumer sentiment moribund, debt levels high, and President Trump’s approval rating low, there’s little tolerance for rising fuel costs and interest rates. Dragon Claws/iStock via Getty Images Crypto bounced alongside fossil fuel prices since the Iran war broke out on February 28 — though it’s still down 43% since October. Other global markets generally plunged along with metal prices (shown below, courtesy of The Daily Shot).This article was written byDanielle Park, CFA6.47K FollowersFollowPortfolio Manager, financial analyst, attorney, finance author, a regular guest on North American media. Danielle Park is the author of the best selling myth-busting book “Juggling Dynamite: An insider’s wisdom on money management, markets and wealth that lasts,” as well as a popular daily financial blog:www.jugglingdynamite.com Danielle worked as an attorney until 1997 when she was recruited to work for an international securities firm. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), she now helps to manage millions for some of Canada's wealthiest families as a Portfolio Manager and analyst at the independent investment counsel firm she co-founded Venable Park Investment Counsel Inc. www.venablepark.com. For two decades, Danielle has been writing, speaking and educating industry professionals and investors on the risks and realities of investment behaviors. A member of the internationally recognized CFA Institute, Toronto Society of Financial Analysts, and the Law Society of Upper Canada. Danielle is also an avid health and fitness buff.