“Since the April Monetary Policy Report (MPR), economic developments have been broadly in line with expectations. However, the balance of risks to the Bank's April projection for inflation in Canada has shifted slightly to the upside.” With that statement, the Bank of Canada (BoC) left its key rate unchanged at 3 percent, flummoxing economists who forecast a 25-basis-point cut. Read More

Although the outlook for US real estate remains gloomy as economic challenges creep north of the border, Canadian plays are healthier than ever. And, as Canadian banks combat pressure from the south, signs show activity in the sector is picking up. Read More

This month's High Yielders are Newalta Income Fund and Yellow Pages Income Fund. Read More

We've realized large gains in Canadian oil and natural gas trusts so far this year. And despite the market's volatility, there's no end in sight to the energy bull market over the long term. However, it's imperative to keep in mind that no market moves in a straight line. Read More

Last month, Canadian trust averages reached levels not seen since mid-2006. Energy trusts have led the way, thanks to soaring prices for oil and natural gas. Strong energy prices are here to stay, at least for the next few years. But there’s a lot more to trusts’ comeback from the stress tests of the past couple years. Read More

Canadian income trusts have had a rough go through the market volatility. But the good news is, while three cut distributions, 13 raised payouts--a healthy sign for the coming months. Read More

Farther out and deeper in: That’s where the world’s mining industry is increasingly being forced to go to feed voracious global demand for vital resources of all varieties. That means tackling a wide range of political challenges in a rising tide of resource nationalism. In some countries, the problem is simple kleptocracy. In others, it’s a well meaning attempt to jumpstart long moribund economies. Whatever the motivation, however, it means higher production costs and constant uncertainty about how much output a company will be able to bring to market profitably. Read More

Canada’s first quarter GDP number was the worst among the Group of Seven (G-7), trailing the US, the UK, Europe and Japan. Real GDP growth slid into negative territory during the first quarter after expanding at an annualized 0.8 percent during the fourth quarter and 2.3 percent during the third quarter of 2007. Read More

This week, representatives from Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the US are meeting in Ilulissat, Greenland. Their goal: resolve conflicting claims for oil and natural gas under the Arctic Ocean, the world’s last great untapped energy reserve. Read More

Though still in the “touchy-feely” stages, a new Great Game is breaking out up north. Touched off by Russia’s audacious flag-planting maneuver last fall and made even more urgent by the “upside” impact of global warming, countries with designs on the resources underneath the North Pole will gather this week to work out parameters for the resolution of conflicting territory claims.  Read More