Jul
04
2008
In terms of population growth, Western Canada definitely wins
Despite declining birthrates that have dampened its rate of natural increase, Canada’s population grew by 1.07% year over year in the first quarter of 2008.
Here you will find Candian Articles relating the Market Insights Community.
Jul
03
2008
Most Commodity Prices are still Advancing
Frenzied commodity price increases are being fueled by strong demand for raw materials from China and other emerging nations. At this moment, most commodity prices are still marching upward. For construction, the message is not just one of cost increases. It is also one of opportunity to participate in capacity expansions. The high raw material prices are a tremendous incentive for owners to explore for new reserves, to develop and improve existing operations and to raise investment levels overall.
Jul
02
2008
Following rapid rise, oil prices should fall as demand softens
Based on the assumption that the law of supply and demand has not been repealed, we are going to see two things happen to the energy market generally and to oil prices in particular over the
near term.
Jun
27
2008
British Columbia’s economic outlook remains sunny, but could turn cloudy
As it heads into the second half of 2008, the British Columbia economy clearly has plenty of momentum.
Jun
26
2008
Construction-related Retail Sales Trend Downward
Concerns about the economy are starting to creep into the retail sales numbers. The high price of gasoline is cutting into the amount of money that consumers have left over to spend on other items. Increasing anxiety about job creation, originating in the manufacturing sector, is also making everyone more conservative when it comes to carrying through on major spending commitments. Furthermore, if auto sales and housing starts are trending down, then total retail sales may well be in some jeopardy.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance
Jun
25
2008
New-Housing Equilibrium and What This Means for Home Prices
The monthly-average volume of housing starts (227,600 units annualized) in Canada through May 2008 is almost exactly the same as it was during the same period last year. There are many signs, however, that the pendulum is starting to swing back towards lower volumes in the period ahead. On the subject of prices, 2002 through 2007 was a sellers’ market. Therefore, home prices were bid up to excessive levels in some urban centres. A number of those prices are starting to come off their highs.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Housing
Jun
25
2008
Canada’s productivity performance remains weak in first quarter of 2008
In the first quarter of 2008, strong growth of business employment relative to output pushed labour productivity down 0.8% year over year. This decline follows a marginal 0.1% increase in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance
Jun
24
2008
Canada’s Residential and Commercial Construction Forecasts — Summer 2008
The outlooks for the residential and commercial construction markets in Canada are summarized in this report from CanaData, a product line of Reed Construction Data. Residential activity levels are measured and forecast in terms of housing starts (in number of units). Commercial work is assessed according to the square footage of starts. Both categories of construction are showing signs of moderating, in line with the overall softening in the Canadian economy that is underway.
Jun
23
2008
The Perception of Inflation is one of Quickening In both Canada and the United States
The year-over-year rate of “all-items” inflation in both Canada and the United States quickened in May 2008. In Canada, the “headline” (i.e., all-items) rate moved up to +2.2% on a year-over-year basis. In April, it had been +1.7%. In the U.S., the overall inflation rate jumped to +4.2% in the latest month, up from +3.9% the month before. This report goes on to consider the monetary and fiscal policy implications of quickening “headline” inflation, even as core inflation remains relatively restrained in both countries.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance
Jun
23
2008
Québec likely to grow ‘très lentement’ (slowly) into 2009
Entering the second half of this year, it is clear the Québec economy is shifting to a lower gear. This observation is based on the fact that year-to-date total employment is up by only 1,100 jobs, compared to an average increase of 24,400 during the first five months of the past five years.
