Care Services Bolstered

Weekly Economic and Financial Commentary : 30/03/2012 U.S. Review Mixed Signals Housing data released this week were a bit disappointing but also offered some signs of optimism. Pending home sales fell in February but remained near a one-year high. The decline in the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index in January was the smallest since July, although the index did reach a new cyclical low. Personal spending rose in February by the most since July, as consumers dipped into savings to spend more on services. However, consumer confidence slipped in March due to a decline in the expectations index amid rising gas prices, although purchase plans improved. Mixed Signals Housing data released this week were slightly disappointing but also provided some signs of optimism. Pending home ...

The Weekly Bottom Line : 30/03/2012 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK United States February's personal income and spending report revealed some mixed signals about the U.S. economy. Real after-tax incomes declined 0.1%, but real consumer spending managed an impressive 0.5% increase. Even after this solid spending gain, Q1 GDP growth is tracking close to 2%, and growth is unlikely to breakout above the 3% range until the end of 2013. This leaves questions about whether the recent pace of improvement in the job market can be sustained. In a highly publicized speech this week, Bernanke emphasized this theme and made it clear that the Fed is focused on jobs, and stands ready to act if conditions worsen. Canada Equity markets ended the quarter strongly with the S&P/TSX Composite ...

Weekly Economic and Financial Commentary : 28/10/2011 U.S. Review Modest Economic Growth Continues Third-quarter GDP rose 2.5 percent, supported primarily by gains in consumer spending and business investment. State and local spending cuts continued to detract from economic growth. Personal incomes grew a slight 0.1 percent in September, with real disposable income declining by 0.1 percent. Even with the slow pace of income growth, consumers increased their spending for the month by 0.6 percent. Housing data this week continued to reflect the slow pace of recovery for the housing industry. The pace of recovery will continue to vary considerably by region. Broad-Based Economic Growth for Q3 The dominant story of the week was the release of the first look at third-quarter GDP, ...

The first week of a new month is upon us, here comes May and we are now with a new date with the European central banks’ rate decision which will be the focus for all week in Europe after the Feds pledge last week to keep its loose monetary policy. European Central Bank The ECB this month is expected to keep rates steady at 1.25% after the April rate hike despite the heavy hawkishness perceived for the ECB and the euro in the market. The bank last month raised 25 bp for the first move on rates since May 2009 to keep inflation rates anchored as price pressures started to threaten the stability and overall outlook for growth. They also added 25 bp to the Marginal Lending Facility to 2.0% and to the deposit facility to 0.50%. Trichet signaled after the decision was not a one-time move ...

The euro held near a two-month high against the USD during the Asian trading session on Tuesday, with $1.37 firmly in its sight as the market showed only the barest signs of fatigue after a 6% rally in the past two weeks. The EUR was up around 0.3% at 1.3650 against the greenback after climbing as high as 1.3685, its highest since November. Economic News USD - Dollar Declines as Stock Market Rallies The U.S dollar fell against most of its major currencies on Monday, hitting its lowest level in nearly two-months against the EUR, as gains in stocks prompted investors to wade into riskier currency trades. By yesterday's close, the USD fell against the EUR, pushing the oft-traded currency pair to 1.3650. The dollar experienced similar behavior against the CHF and closed at 0.9490. The U. ...

The Weekly Bottom Line HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK United States * A compromise on Federal 2011 tax policy was reached this week between the White House and congressional Republicans * The package surprised markets, and prompted forecasters - including ourselves - to upgrade projections for next year's growth * The plan provides an important source of short-run stimulus * However, one must remain cognizant that the proposals are rather short-term in nature, and do nothing to address the US government's longer-run debt challenges Canada * Optimism surrounding the U.S. economic outlook beginning to materialize. * Near-term U.S. economic growth bolstered by fiscal and monetary measures. * Will be good news for Canada's export sector. * However, this week's ...

(Reuters) - Scott Stevenson was only 10 years old when he first heard grown-ups voice the gloomy words that, in retrospect, predicted the disappointing arc his life has taken. "I remember them actually telling us that our generation would be the first not to be better off than our parents," said the 39-year-old Stevenson. "It was fifth grade and I remember thinking, 'How do you know?'" Three decades later, the pessimistic prognostication he was so quick to dismiss as a boy now seems, as he put it, "like a prophecy." Stevenson is one of the 14.9 million U.S. workers who are officially jobless, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor. More depressingly, he is also among the 6.2 million unfortunate enough to have been that way for 27 weeks or more -- a ...