The Bank of Canada (BoC) surprised many observers June 10 by holding interest rates steady rather than cutting in the face of slowing US and global economic conditions. Read More

Steadily rising demand for electricity has translated into rising sales for Canadian power companies. Coupled with abundant natural resources, that adds up to increasing cash flow for providers and higher yields for the income trusts that produce power. Read More

Five more oil and gas producer trusts boosted dividends at double-digit rates last month. For ARC Energy Trust  (TSX: AET.UN, OTC: AETUF), that makes a total of 40 percent in two months, extraordinary for a trust run for long-term sustainability and stability. Read More

This month's High Yielders are Atlantic Power Corp and Provident Energy Trust. Read More

Although some Canadian trusts continue to outperform, business trusts have been below par of late. Former highfliers have retreated into the red, losing ground seemingly daily. However, all hope isn't lost as our winners outnumber the laggards overall. Read More

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

Two trusts have been added to the Dividend Watch List, Yellow Pages continues to prove why it's a solid buy, and we provide an introduction to the wireless spectrum auction up north. Read More

Markets north of the border are closed Tuesday in observance of Canada Day, a federal holiday marking the joining of the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867 Read More

Once upon a time, BCE reluctantly assumed the lead role in the largest potential income trust conversion ever. Now, in a demonstration of ubiquity redolent of Woody Allen’s Zelig, it’s the star of the biggest potential leveraged buyout (LBO) in history. Read More

The relationship between the US and Canada is the closest and most extensive in the world, reflected in the volume of bilateral trade: the equivalent of USD1.5 billion a day in cross-border exchange of goods. And about 300,000 people cross the shared border every day. Read More

“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

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

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

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

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

Headline-grabbing food shortages have bolstered demand for potash, pushed per-ton prices soaring and the stocks of those companies that produce it to the moon. But another major player sees more value in companies that produce fertilizer components. Read More