Manufacturing data from China released over the weekend lifted market sentiments as the week starts and sent Asian equities generally higher as well as European and North American markets. The official manufacturing PMI improved to a seven-month high of 50.6 in November. While the figure was slightly below expectation of 50.8, it does suggest that...

More than 200,000 Egyptian protesters packed Tahrir Square for a massive evening rally organized by opponents of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, demanding that he rescind decrees granting him near-absolute powers. Last year’s uprising that drove Hosni Mubarak from office; the same chants were used again against Egypt’s first freely elected leader. “The people want to...

Hopeful of a compromise to avert the ‘financial cliff’, American Politicians provided some positive optimism toward the markets as the week commences. Global indices surged ahead after getting pummeled for  days after the re-election of President Obama. The Super-rich fearing a potential tax hike, sent the Dow down almost 4% erasing billions in paper assets....

The Israeli Military will enter Gaza to engage Hamas as they continue to launch rockets into Israel. This aggression needs to be thwarted. The actions of militants continue to bring pain and suffering to the innocent. This hatred embedded so deeply within core values will never disappear unless education prevails and these bullies are put...

After weeks of muted trade, markets waited for this long drawn out American election to finally end; end it did with the re-election of Barack Obama to a second term. This was over before it started as the Republican Party and supporters continuously kept putting their foot in their mouths. The straw that broke the...

Retail Sales were up slightly in May to $38.9 Billion. Sales rose 0.3% after being flat since Nov. 2011. Sales rose in six provinces with Alberta leading the way. Sales in the car industry, electronics and appliance stores were down overall. Prime Minister Harper will be in Toronto today for the ‘Gun Summit’. Politicians attempt...

Syria continues to be a hotbed of International condemnation with news of the government continuing to fire upon and kill its’ own citizens. The Assad Regime claims there is a deliberate campaign by foreign entities or governments interfering with their sovereignty in order to bring change. On the other hand the Russians and Chinese support...

The week gets off to a slow start as Chinese non manufacturing industries expanded at a slower pace for a second month in a row. As a result the Asian stock index carried the negative sentiment into European and North American trade. On Friday the unemployment rate in the USA rose to 8.2%, climbing one...

  Canada GDP surprises the market as the economy actually shrank in February. Therefore an argument for higher interest rates may be muted for now. With the first drop in manufacturing in six months and mining shutdowns, the  Canadian dollar took it on the chin falling against most currencies across the board. Anti Austerity calls...

More Americans than expected filed for unemployment benefits. A sign the labour market is struggling to improve. Market expected 375,000, actual 388,000. Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke, mentioned further easing would not be likely, yet  if necessary the Fed will be ready to inject more liquidity if needed. Coupled with strong corporate earnings from Apple, the...

The race for the Whitehouse begins; Democrat Barrack Obama vs. Republican Mitt Romney. It will be a long drawn out campaign in which the Presidency becomes a race of personalities rather than policies. It seems whoever wins enjoys the lifestyle more than the responsibilities. Talk is cheap unless it is backed by action. Millions of...

Today the Federal Government announces its’ budget. Canadians will see approximately $8 Billion in spending reduced; Old Age Security moving mandatory retirement from 65 to 67 years of age. Anyone 55 years and younger will need to give more blood, sweat and tears. Research and Development; Defence-no more Afghanistan; Foreign Affairs; Public Service; Aboriginal Funding;...