Economic Indicators

Five forces affecting your client’s portfolio

Soaring debt levels in advanced economies, overheating emerging markets and strict capital controls are among the global economic and financial challenges faced by financial planners, according to Thomas Hockin, executive director, International Monetary Fund, speaking at the CIFPs 9th Annual National Conference-2011, in Ottawa. “We’ve had 22 financial crises since 1945; financial crisis is the […]

By Vikram Barhat |June 8, 2011

3 min read

Recession was easy, recovery will be tough

Canada managed to navigate its way through the Great Recession of 2008 without much damage, but the time for self-congratulation may be over. There are a number of hazards on the horizon, including the withdrawal of government stimulus, rising interest rates and the stubbornly strong loonie is stifling exports. Canada—indeed, the world—still has some challenges […]

By Vikram Barhat |June 8, 2011

4 min read

What will a new budget look like? Have your say

Stephen Harper framed the election campaign as a referendum on Jim Flaherty’s March 22 budget and ran on his economic track record. Having secured a majority government, will the Conservatives table the same budget, or will they tinker with that original plan? Tell us what you think. Will there be additional tax cuts? New spending […]

By Staff |May 3, 2011

1 min read

Fed signals end to QE2

The Federal Reserve is signalling that its $600 billion Treasury bond-buying program will end in June as planned because the economy has strengthened and companies are starting to hire more. Ending a two-day meeting Wednesday, the Fed made no changes to the program. The decision was unanimous. The bond purchases were intended to lower loan […]

By Wire services |April 27, 2011

2 min read