Economy

Equity markets to climb higher in 2013

The recent uptick seen in the equity market will remain steady and may even get stronger in the second half of the year, according to the country’s economists. They put in their two cents at the annual economic outlook presented Friday by the Economic Club of Canada. Here’s a look at the effects in Canada, […]

By Brooke Smith |January 14, 2013

3 min read

Low margins worry U.S. banks

The profit margins for U.S. banks have become wafer thin as the spread between their borrowing and lending rates has shrunk to the levels once seen in the 1950s. With the Federal Reserve’s keeping the interest rate at a historic low, banks are struggling to stay profitable, says a report in the Financial Times. Wells […]

By Staff |January 14, 2013

1 min read

U.S. lumber prices rise

U.S. lumber prices are rising, thanks to an increase in home building. Futures contracts for the resource for a March delivery are $380 per 1,000 board ft, after nearing $400 in late December, reports ft.com. This is the highest since mid-2005, before the housing downturn. Read more. For Canada, an increase in U.S. home building […]

By Wire services |January 14, 2013

1 min read

Small business hiring lags

Small businesses cut their payrolls less sharply than medium or large firms during the economic downturn, but they have been slower to ramp up hiring again, according to a Scotiabank Global Economic Research Special Report.

By Staff |January 11, 2013

1 min read