Topic: Canadian Economy

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College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, rather than specific academic institutions. Here are some of the findings:
Stocks plunge: four factors behind investor pessimism

The stock market is tanking. At midday Aug. 4, the Dow had fallen 300 points. The bond market is also beginning to growl like a bear. Investors are buying long-dated bonds while eschewing shorter-term securities to protect their assets, a clear indication that they feel the economy is likely to weaken further. High-profile economists are also turning gloomy. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers put the chances of another recession at 1-in-3; Harvard economist Martin Feldstein put it at 1-in-2. What's behind all the pessimism? Here are four big factors that are weighing on stocks and could determine the course of the global economy in the coming months:
Soft patch? Three reasons economic growth is slowing.

For those hoping that the economy is merely going through a “soft patch” right now, the weight of evidence suggests something more serious. Two years after the Great Recession ended, the economic expansion has slowed to an annual rate of 1.8 percent in the first quarter of 2011 versus 3.1 percent in the final quarter of 2010. Why is the rebound so tepid? Here are three key indicators, which historically help boost recoveries, but stand in the way this time:
2011 predictions: interest rates around the world

Currency analysts pay obsessive attention to economic factors that indicate the direction of interest rates, because interest rates represent the price of a currency. Any price change has a direct impact on the currency’s value. That can mean huge gains or losses for currency traders, but it also has a big impact on what savers earn, borrowers pay, consumers shell out for imported goods, and global companies plan in terms of compensation and hiring. In 2010, the stress on various currencies became clear, causing many central banks to push interest rates to record lows. Here’s a look at how those forces could play out in 2011 in six major regions of the world:
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Is Canada about to face US-style housing meltdown?

Skyrocketing home prices in Canada, particularly in cities like Toronto, are fueling concerns that Canadians are overspending as they assume – as the US did – that real estate prices can only go up.
College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, rather than specific academic institutions. Here are some of the findings:
Stefan Karlsson
Currency: Will Iceland go Loonie?

Iceland is considering adopting the Canadian dollar as its national currency. It's an odd choice, but it could be an improvement.
Stefan Karlsson
Strong September jobs report

Contrary to previous months this year, the September jobs report was unequivocally strong
Emerging markets to Europe: Fix it!

Emerging markets like China and Brazil, as well as US, are urging European ministers to address its sovereign debt woes. But emerging markets, US lack consensus on solution.
Stocks plunge: four factors behind investor pessimism

The stock market is tanking. At midday Aug. 4, the Dow had fallen 300 points. The bond market is also beginning to growl like a bear. Investors are buying long-dated bonds while eschewing shorter-term securities to protect their assets, a clear indication that they feel the economy is likely to weaken further. High-profile economists are also turning gloomy. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers put the chances of another recession at 1-in-3; Harvard economist Martin Feldstein put it at 1-in-2. What's behind all the pessimism? Here are four big factors that are weighing on stocks and could determine the course of the global economy in the coming months:
Soft patch? Three reasons economic growth is slowing.

For those hoping that the economy is merely going through a “soft patch” right now, the weight of evidence suggests something more serious. Two years after the Great Recession ended, the economic expansion has slowed to an annual rate of 1.8 percent in the first quarter of 2011 versus 3.1 percent in the final quarter of 2010. Why is the rebound so tepid? Here are three key indicators, which historically help boost recoveries, but stand in the way this time:
The New Economy
If Canada's so strong, why isn't it buying more US goods?

US-Canada trade is back to prerecession levels. But the real growth in US – and Canadian – exports is coming from elsewhere.
Global News Blog
G20 mayhem in Toronto's streets puts a new site on tourists' maps

The protests against last June's G20 summit in Toronto led to the largest mass arrest in Canadian history. Walking tours now include a stop on those streets.
Editorial Board Blog
'Til debt do us part

As Congress heads for a showdown on the debt ceiling, it should note a study that shows industrialized nations with lower debt did better during the Great Recession. The winner? Canada.
Stefan Karlsson
The total cost of the Libya intervention

As the civil war is prolonged, the price of oil goes up. The US alone imports 9.5 million barrels of oil each day.
Stefan Karlsson
Dollar value falls down on currency list

The US dollar ranks behind the British pound, the euro, the Swiss franc, the Canadian dollar, and the Australian dollar.
2011 predictions: interest rates around the world

Currency analysts pay obsessive attention to economic factors that indicate the direction of interest rates, because interest rates represent the price of a currency. Any price change has a direct impact on the currency’s value. That can mean huge gains or losses for currency traders, but it also has a big impact on what savers earn, borrowers pay, consumers shell out for imported goods, and global companies plan in terms of compensation and hiring. In 2010, the stress on various currencies became clear, causing many central banks to push interest rates to record lows. Here’s a look at how those forces could play out in 2011 in six major regions of the world:
The Entrepreneurial Mind
Small businesses still hunkering down

Some business owners retain a glimmer of hope that the worst of the recession has passed, but most are braced against another downturn, with little debt and minimal investment.
Paper Economy
Canadian real estate avoided US boom-bust. Now what?

Canada has had a stronger rebound,. But, as in the US, real estate appreciation is slowing.
Stefan Karlsson
Who's got the strongest dollar in the world?

For the first time since 1982, the Australian dollar is the highest-valued dollar in the world.
Stefan Karlsson
Three dollars, one value

The US dollar, the Canadian dollar, and the Australian dollar are all within a penny of the same value.
Labor Day quiz: What are the hot spots in a cool jobs market?

The US job market is in rough shape, but there are some signs of progress as well. Here's a Labor Day quiz that sheds some light on where opportunities lie within a mostly tepid job market.
Green Economics
Canada makes census voluntary. Geek statisticians revolt.

Canada's move to make its census voluntary will make it tough to get an accurate picture of the population.
America's best (and most boring) neighbor: Canada

Canadians have much to be grateful for, including little attention from the US.
The Daily Reckoning
G20 Summit: Welcoming the failure of the economic recovery team

Are Obama and his economic team rebuilding the system that got us where we are today and selling it to the world?
G20: Paving the way for a new Great Depression?

At the G20 summit in Toronto, world leaders agreed to halve deficits in three years. At least one prominent economist says spending, not cuts, is what's needed.
Terrorism & Security
Black Bloc tactics mar Canada's G-20 summit

At this weekend's G-20 summit, small bands of protesters wearing black clothes broke off from the main protests to rampage violently in what is known as Black Bloc tactics.
Wall Street financial reform one step closer to becoming law

Wall Street financial reform took another step early Friday to reaching the President's desk when a House and Senate conference committee reached agreement on financial overhaul regulations.
G20 summit dilemma: Stimulate economic growth or rein in deficits?

The chief question at this weekend's G20 summit will be how to keep the world economy growing. The Europeans are cutting government spending, ignoring President Obama's call for more stimulus.