Payroll employment in Canada rose modestly in April, up 22,000 (0.1%) after little change in March, Statistics Canada said. Employed persons were 78,100 higher YoY (0.4%). Job vacancies were 490,500 in April, broadly unchanged for a fourth consecutive month and down 3.4% YoY. A more timely labour survey showed hiring rebounded in May with a gain of 87,800 jobs after an April decline of 17,700; employment over the first five months of 2026 is down 49,300.

US large banks raised dividends after passing the Federal Reserve's annual stress tests, following gradual regulatory adjustments that have eased the test hurdle. JP Morgan raised its quarterly dividend to $1.65 from $1.50 and approved a $50 billion share buyback effective July 1. Wells Fargo raised its dividend to $0.50 from $0.45. Morgan Stanley raised its dividend to $1.15 from $1.00. Goldman Sachs raised its dividend to $5.00 from $4.50.

June 25 — Guo Lanfeng, chair of the China Economic System Reform Research Association, said at the 2026 Summer Davos Forum that expanding consumption and domestic demand first requires consumers’ capacity to spend. Beyond high-quality employment, raising that capacity requires income-distribution reform because labour currently holds a disadvantaged share; ordinary workers account for most consumption, so reforms should progressively let labour’s value be more fully reflected in the economic cycle.