Canada rebounded from negative GDP growth in the first quarter, posting a 0.4 percent increase for April. And its economy could prove surprisingly resilient in the face of the US slump, as long as global commodity prices remain robust. Read More
David Dittman is no longer with Investing Daily.
Analyst Articles
“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
Canada's top lenders released less-than-impressive second quarter results and failed to meet analysts' estimates. Although the results were below expectations, the country's biggest banks aren't in any danger through 2008. In addition, Canada's low inflation rate is set to bolster domestic consumption and boost economic expansion into 2009. Read More
Even in this unsure market environment, Canada's economy remains fundamentally sound. It's backed by a solid balance sheet and abundant natural resources. In fact, our neighbors to the north rank among the world's top five producers of 14 mineral commodities, which account for nearly half of Canada's exports. Read More
Back in March, the Bank of Canada (BoC) statement announcing a 50-basis-point interest-rate cut told of “clear signs that the US economy is likely to experience a deeper and more prolonged slowdown than had been projected in January.” Read More
The process that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established to settle investments disputes was designed to give investors faster, cheaper paths to quick resolutions. But it hasn't worked out the way it was intended. On average, it takes nearly three years to complete the process, but the end result is worth the effort. Read More
Despite the close ties between the US and Canada, the latter boasts economic characteristics structured to withstand US weakness. The question is whether these challenging market conditions are long term. Read More
The question of whether the US will fall into recession--or how deep the one the world’s largest economy inevitably suffers will be--animates all forms of financial media these days. Read More
Natural gas prices are showing signs of breaking out of nearly two-year trading range. The question is whether the recent price rise is sustainable. Read More
Canada's natural bounty will help the country survive a US downturn, as it now ranks among the world's top five producers of mineral commodities. And as long as Chinese demand keeps commodity prices high, the Canadian economy and the loonie will stay aloft. Read More