We saw a number of distribution cuts in October, but these trusts are cheap enough to rally following such action. Trusts converting to corporations early are the exceptions. We also provide the latest 2009 domestic economy outlook from the Conference Board of Canada and its indications for our neighbors to the north. Read More

Through all the stress tests--from mid-2006 until now--strong businesses have continued to report steady revenue and cash flows, relying on their own resources to survive. And so far many Canadian trusts have reported decent third quarter earnings, proving their resilience once again. Read More

Early Canadian trust conversions to corporations with no dividend cuts: That’s a very positive trend indeed for these turbulent times. Read More

With the direction of the global economy still unclear, we've enlisted in-house experts to answer questions about the future of the energy sector, the Asian markets and, of course, Canada's ability to bounce back. Read More

Resource-intensive Canadian indexes posted their worst month in 10 years in October, the Standard & Poor’s/TSX Composite Index shedding 17 percent, the biggest monthly decline since August 1998. Read More

Canada’s tighter regulatory system and more cautious approach to banking distinguish it from the US and the rest of the Anglo-Saxon financial system, but that doesn’t mean the crisis gripping the global economy won’t have a serious impact on its domestic economy. It’s important to understand that Canada entered this volatile period from a stronger position than other developed nations and that steps taken by its responsible authorities have been focused on mitigating the impact of external problems and maintaining competitive advantages its long-term conservative practices have made possible. Read More

The Bank of Canada (BoC) lowered its target overnight rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent Tuesday morning, citing severe strains on financial markets, a coming global recession triggered by an ongoing US recession and a sharp decline in commodity prices as its primary concerns going forward. The BoC is the first central bank to follow up the Oct. 8 coordinated rate cuts by global monetary authorities with another cut. Read More

Canada elected another minority Conservative government yesterday, giving Stephen Harper another run in the top slot but denying him the mandate he’s angled for since his first win in January 2006. Read More

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched an early election campaign with dreams of a majority government dancing in his head. He also wanted to blunt the impact of a Democratic victory in November’s US election that would potentially boost liberal-leaning politicians across North America.    Read More

Sustainability is the key to success for Canadian income trusts--as well as other dividend payers--as we ride through this current market crisis. Unfortunately, the turbulent waters are unlikely to calm down in the fourth quarter. But many trusts still have strong underlying characteristics, which is crucial in this challenging environment. Read More

Last month six trusts boosted distributions versus three that cut payouts. Connor Brother Income Fund exited the Dividend Watch List because it signed an agreement to sell itself to a private equity firm. We also provide commentary on the largest leveraged buyout in history. Read More

This month's High Yielders are Consumers Waterheater Income Fund and Peyto Energy Trust. Read More

September was a challenging month for everyone. Some Canadian trusts and corporations have shown weakening in the face of the broader market's stress tests. But despite the third quarter selloff, we're still set for a fourth quarter comeback. And we have a new set of earnings reports forthcoming. Read More

Canada’s long-awaited election is just days away. But if this global market meltdown has shown us anything, it’s that business health—not politics—is the key to investor returns from Canadian trusts. Read More

The global financial system is now a mess, and sorting through it will take quite some time. But we can gain a clearer view by examining the behavior of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and TED spread. Read More

All eyes are back on Washington following the US House of Representatives’ failure to pass a financial rescue package Monday. Optimism about elected officials’ ability to respond efficiently and effectively seems to have buoyed investor sentiment, as Asian markets recovered from early swoons overnight and US indexes posted triple-digit gains off Tuesday’s open. Read More

It’s two Paulson Plans and several less grandiose patches later and we’re still trying to contain the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. The historic decline in real estate values--the destruction of the “forever up” property value dream--is the widely acknowledged source of today’s problems, but right now the focus, properly, is on arresting the contagion before we start talking depression rather than mere recession. Read More

Yesterday, it was widely reported that US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson ruled out the use of government money to rescue troubled financial institutions. But his statement during a press briefing leaves some room for maneuvering. Read More

In August 2006, New York University economist Nouriel Roubini predicted a subprime crisis and subsequent recession. In September of that year, he burdened a gathering of the International Monetary Fund with his bearishness. And Roubini was profiled in a recent New York Times Magazine feature headlined “Dr. Doom.” Read More

In order to keep the profits rolling in before and after 2011, it's crucial to focus on well-run businesses that continue to gain value. The key to success in trusts is to stick with those that succeed regardless of how they're taxed. And this market offers plenty. Read More