Canadian Economic Outlook

May 16, 2012

U.S. employment rose by a mediocre 115,000 in April

The U.S. economy created 115,000 net new jobs in April, according to the latest labor market report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

May 15, 2012

Among Canada’s cities, labour markets are generally best in the west

Statistics Canada has released its Labour Force Information report for April. Most of Canada’s 33 largest cities with jobless rates higher than the national average are in Eastern Canada. Alberta and Saskatchewan the lowest unemployment rates of all.

May 10, 2012

Stronger investment and exports should quicken B.C.’s economic pulse in 2012/13

At first glance, British Columbia’s economic complexion midway through the first half of 2012

May 9, 2012

Equity markets take stock in April while manufacturing wavers

North America’s stock markets were flat or slightly lower in the latest month. Investors have stepped back to better assess what is going on in the world economy.

May 8, 2012

Canada’s housing starts in April a stunningly high 245,000 units

In April, housing starts for the month, at 244,900 units, were the highest since February, 2008, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) . Toronto is the epicenter of condominium construction. In the international economy, the China’s manufacturing is back on the growth path while Greece and France held elections, taking issue with austerity measures.

May 8, 2012

Canada’s GDP declined 0.2% in February but better news from elsewhere

Canada’s industry-based gross domestic product declined 0.2% in February, according to Statistics Canada.

May 7, 2012

U.S. GDP +2.2% in Q1 2012 and Alberta led Canadian Provinces in 2011

Late April has been a time of gross domestic product (GDP) releases, both for the U.S. (first quarter 2012) and for the provinces in Canada (full year 2011).

May 4, 2012

Retail sales growth in Canada isn’t keeping up with the U.S.

Canadian retail sales in February (-0.2%) recorded their first month-to-month decline since July of last year, according to Statistics Canada. On a year-over-year basis, they were still relatively strong at +4.1%.

May 2, 2012

Canadian Construction Cost Increases are in a Lull (What Does this Mean for the PanAm Games?)

Usually the articles I write feature change of some sort. Most often it’s a statistical series that has moved up or down. Sideways is the exception.

April 30, 2012

U.S. inflation low in March; Canada’s central bank looking to raise rates

The year-over-year performance of the general price level in the U.S. moderated again in March to +2.7% from +2.9% in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The all-items inflation rate had been as high as +3.9% in September of last year.

April 30, 2012

U.S. new homes market continued to stumble along in March

U.S. housing starts in March dropped back to their lowest level in five months, according to a joint press release from the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

April 27, 2012

Canada’s trade surplus in February declined but business is optimistic

In February, Canada’s merchandise trade surplus with the world returned close to zero ($3.5 billion seasonally adjusted and annualized), according to Statistics Canada.

April 26, 2012

Brighter employment picture points to increased commercial office construction

Midway through the first half of 2012 there are some clear signals that prospects for commercial office construction are taking on a rosier hue despite the lingering concern about the potential impact of the European sovereign debt crisis on global financial markets.

April 25, 2012

U.S. employment in March increased at a slower pace than expected

The U.S. and Canada have been out of sync lately when it comes to their monthly jobs reports.

April 23, 2012

Canada’s March leading indicator provided relatively good news

Statistics Canada reported that the composite leading economic indicator index rose 0.4 per cent in March, with the housing index up 0.6 per cent and the average workweek in manufacturing up 0.3 per cent. However, debt problems in Europe are threatening a sunnier outlook, with debt-to-GDP ratios high in Greece and Italy.

April 20, 2012

Construction is the Growing Spine of Canada’s Industrial Structure

Based on applying factors to the data appearing in Statistics Canada’s “Private and Public Investment in Canada, Intentions” (PPI) report, CanaData has updated its put-in-place investment forecasts.

April 18, 2012

A tale of two budgets

“Austerity” has been adopted as the current buzz word by governments.

April 16, 2012

Stock market faith in the North American economy remains gratifying

Three of North America’s major stock market indices had good months again in March. Dow Jones Industrials, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ all recorded new 52-week highs.

April 13, 2012

A strong year for new construction investment intentions in 2012

Statistics Canada’s Private and Public Investment survey is published in February of each year.

April 12, 2012

Auto industry should help drive Ontario economy faster in 2012

The recently-announced provincial budget clearly highlighted the fiscal and economic challenges which the province of Ontario is facing over the next several years. However, despite these challenges there are a number of indicators which suggest that the province’s economic prospects are taking a decided turn for the better.