Analysis

We’re on the ground at the Las Vegas Money Show, enjoying unusually mild, La Jolla-like weather in America’s Playground. Several Canadian trusts--including Penn West Energy Trust, Paramount Energy Trust and Enerplus Resources--are exhibiting in the convention hall, and we’ll be tracking down representatives during our stay; we’ll pass along any insights we’re able to glean. Read More

The biggest challenge for Canada in the coming years will be updating infrastructure, particularly in the populous eastern region of the country. But unlike many other growing nations, it has the balance sheet to easily cover the tab. Read More

Canada’s currency is likely to outperform the US dollar in coming years: That’s the prognosis of none other than the richest man in the world, investor Warren Buffett. 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

We're still riding out the volatility for Canadian income trusts. But only one cut its payout last month, a marked improvement in this market downturn. Evidence of Canadian trusts' rising strength was reflected in a 52-week high for the S&P/Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Trust Index May 6. Read More

We’ve written extensively here and in Canadian Edge about the global resource boom that sustains the economy up north and provides compelling stories for investors. So the headline “Sprott Hedge Fund IPO May Signal Top of Canada Commodity Rally” on a May 5 Bloomberg story caught our attention. Read More

Canaccord Adams analyst Yuri Lynk released a bullish report on Canada-based infrastructure opportunities, naming Bird Construction Income Fund (TSX: BDT.UN, OTC: BIRDF) among his top picks. 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

There’s a mildly instructive dichotomy to draw from the ongoing mess that is the global credit market, and then there’s a useful takeaway for investors. Read More

Global grain inventories have declined significantly during the last seven years on increased consumption, a growing world population, improving diets in developing countries and the advent of biofuels. Read More

Another strong Canadian trust is following the Trinidad Drilling (TSX: TDG, OTC: TDGCF) model. On March 27, TransForce Income Fund (TSX: TIF-U, OTC: TIFUF) announced it would convert to a corporation this year to save cash for acquisitions.  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

The shaky US dollar and equally wavering economy were partly to blame for last month's distribution cuts for five Canadian trusts. And until we an upturn in the overall market, expect more risk as we ride out the volatility. Read More

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's hints at proroguing Parliament and starting over with a throne speech have raised the possibility of an early election. Read More

In early July, 13 Canadian securities dealers polled by Reuters expected a 25-basis-point overnight interest rate hike by the Bank of Canada (BoC) on Sept. 5. Read More

Due to unforeseen circumstances, your regularly scheduled issue of Maple Leaf Memo won’t arrive today but will be published tomorrow, Aug. 22. Read More

Central banks around the world have stepped in to prop up shaky financial markets in recent days, giving some comfort to investors. The subprime meltdown has wiped out huge amounts of equity, but the global economy remains in relatively good shape. Read More

CIBC World Markets senior economist Avery Shenfeld took a Canada-specific look at the subprime mortgage meltdown last week, concluding that recent selling on the Toronto Stock Exchange is driven by “unwarranted fears” the American malady would spread north because of its impact on global growth. Read More