2025-08-22
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry Cain - Canada]: Canada is dropping its countertariffs on the American goods that are covered by the free trade agreement between the two countries, amid the ongoing trade war with the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday.
TSX hits record high: With tariff threats and persistent
inflation challenging the Canadian economy, it is somewhat surprising that
Canadian stocks have hit an all-time high. The S&P/TSX Composite closed
above the 28,000-point level for the first time ever on Thursday. The Toronto
market has advanced 13.5 per cent since the start of the year, driven by banks
and resource stocks, in particular gold miners.
Investors watching
Powell: U.S. stock markets fell for the fifth straight session Thursday, as
investors wait for an eagerly anticipated speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair
Jerome Powell at the Jackson Hole Symposium. A selloff in big tech this week
has halted the record-breaking rally in U.S. stocks. Investors are awaiting
Powell’s latest policy blueprint, weighing whether the Fed will stay cautious
on inflation, which is showing signs of stickiness, or bow to pressure from
U.S. President Trump and indicate a willingness to cut interest rates soon. The
speech is scheduled for 10am ET.
Carney talks trade
with Trump: Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump
Thursday, in a “wide-ranging conversation” that included trade and the war in
Ukraine. The two leaders talked about “trade challenges, opportunities, and
shared priorities in a new economic and
security relationship
between Canada and the U.S.,” according to a statement from Ottawa. They also discussed “how to build on the
President’s leadership to support long-term peace and security for Ukraine and
Europe.” The two leaders agreed to speak again soon.
[Investopedia,
USA]: More Than 4 Million Student Loan
Borrowers Are Likely on Their Way to Default
·
More than 4 million federal student loan
borrowers were on the verge of defaulting during the last quarter.
·
The number of borrowers who are delinquent
and in default is higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
·
Many borrowers have had trouble resuming
payments after the pandemic payment pause ended. Student loan debt is becoming
delinquent faster than any other debt type.
Official government
data is starting to show what anyone looking for work has known for months: the
labor market is getting tough for job seekers.
The latest red flag
came Thursday when the Department of Labor said 1.97 million people were
collecting unemployment insurance the week ending Aug. 9, the highest since
November 2021.
Several economists
pointed to the data as evidence that President Donald Trump's tariffs are
starting to become a serious drag on the economy.
Company executives
have told surveyors they're shelving hiring plans because of uncertainty about
how the wide-ranging import taxes will affect prices and business outlook.
Companies that import materials and products must decide how to pay for the
extra costs imposed by tariffs, and for some, trimming payrolls is the answer.
“It’s very tough to
find a job right now, regardless of your age or experience," Heather Long,
chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, wrote in a commentary. "The
main issue for job seekers is the tariffs. Companies are under pressure to keep
profits high, and they are passing along more of the tariff costs to consumers
and looking carefully at whether to reduce their workforce size to cut
costs."
The unemployment
claims are only one of several recent indicators of a hiring slowdown. Hiring
had its worst three-month stretch since the pandemic hit in May through July,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics said earlier this month. While companies have
avoided mass layoffs so far, keeping the overall unemployment rate low, the job
market has gotten dismal for anyone looking for a position.
"Taken together at face value, initial and continued claims indicate that firms are not laying off workers, but they aren’t hiring either," Robert Fry, an independent forecaster, wrote in a commentary last week, before the latest unemployment claim figures were released. "If you have a job, you’re OK (so far). If you don’t have a job, you’re out of luck."
--------------------------------------------------------
2025-08-21
The Daily Chase: Stock markets under pressure ahead of U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech
Stock markets under pressure: U.S. equity futures were in the red this morning, indicating the losing streak for American stocks is likely to continue. The S&P500 index has declined for four straight sessions, with technology stocks seeing the largest drops, amid worries that their sharp rally since April has advanced too far. The Canadian market has been faring better, with the S&P/TSX composite index holding steady this month. Traders are staying cautious as the Jackson Hole symposium kicks off later today, with investors awaiting U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech on Friday for guidance on the path for interest rates.
Walmart profit miss: The market is also being weighed down by the latest results from Walmart. The retail giant reported quarterly profit that missed expectations for the first time in three years. Walmart cited a rise in insurance claims, legal charges and restructuring costs as factors weighing down its profit. Also, the company’s CEO says tariff costs are increasing each week, and higher prices are particularly affecting low and middle-income customers.
EU – U.S. formalize trade pact: The U.S. and the European Union have taken the next steps to formalize their trade pact, detailing plans that could reduce tariffs on European automobiles within weeks while opening the door to new potential discounts for steel and aluminum. The joint statement issued Thursday advances the preliminary deal announced a month ago, by including specific benchmarks for the EU to secure its promised sectoral tariff discounts on cars, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, as well as new commitments to cooperate on economic security matters, food standards and digital trade.
2025-08-20
[Investopedia,
USA]: Homebuilders Were Busy in July.
Can Their Efforts Revive the US Housing Market?
·
Economists said there’s no turnaround in
sight for a housing market that’s short on properties and long on costs.
·
Housing starts rose in July, but building
permits were lower. This indicates that builders will likely be unable to
sustain their momentum in the coming months.
·
Home sales in July were the slowest in
more than a decade, as homes stayed on the market an average of 43 days.
·
Despite the slow pace of home sales,
inventory dropped, as frustrated sellers pulled houses off the market amid
affordability pressures for buyers.
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry
Cain - Canada]: Air Canada ramps up schedule: Air Canada is ramping up its
flight schedule today as the airline continues its operational restart following
a three-day flight attendants’ strike. The company says it is focusing on
outbound international flights to start. The airline has cautioned that a
return to full, regular service will take seven to 10 days as aircraft and crew
are out of position, and that some flights will continue to be cancelled until
the schedule is stabilized. It is offering customers with cancelled flights a
full refund or credit for future travel if they cannot be rebooked on a
competitor’s flight. Air Canada and the union representing more than 10,000 of
its flight attendants struck a new tentative agreement on Tuesday morning with
the help of a federal mediator.
Implications of Air
Canada settlement: Meanwhile, the implications of the way the labour dispute
has played out are being considered on several fronts. A settlement seems to
have ended the controversial practice of only paying flight attendants for the
time planes are in service. As well, after the union defied a back-to-work
order, there is speculation the federal government may no longer be able to
force workers in essential industries to return to their jobs. Canadian Labour
Congress President Bea Bruske tells the Canadian Press that in her opinion
there is now a precedent that unions can defy government back-to-work orders
and find a solution at the bargaining table. “It sets a precedent for the
reality that (section) 107 is no longer effective, it is effectively
dead.”
Air Canada ‘top
investment idea’: While the new labour agreement may increase costs for Air Canada,
at least one Bay Street firm is surprisingly bullish on the airline. RBC
Capital Markets is flagging Air Canada as its “top investment idea.” RBC
expects free cash flow to have a “meaningful” improvement in 2028 and 2029. A
report from the lender says the airline’s “strong operational performance” so
far this year, despite a significant drop in transborder traffic, gives
analysts increased confidence in management’s ability to execute longer-term.
Capital spending is also expected to drop in the years to come.
--------------------------------------------------
2025-08-19
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry
Cain - Canada]: Air Canada reaches deal with attendants: Air Canada has reached
a tentative labour agreement with flight attendants to end a three-day strike
that forced the airline to cancel its entire schedule. The deal was reached
early this morning after a negotiation lasted several hours. Terms of the
agreement have not been announced. Air Canada says it plans to gradually resume
service with the first flights returning this evening. Roughly 10,000 flight
attendants walked off the job on Saturday.
Inflation slows:
Inflation in Canada slowed in July, as gasoline prices plunged. The consumer
price index rose 1.7 per cent from a year ago, down from June’s 1.9 per cent
increase. July’s deceleration was led by gasoline prices, which fell 16.1 per
cent from a year earlier, reflecting the removal of the consumer carbon tax.
However, food prices grew faster in July, jumping 3.4 per cent. Unfavorable
weather in cocoa and coffee-growing regions led to higher prices for products
using those ingredients.
Trump widens steel
and aluminum tariffs: U.S. President Donald Trump is widening his steel and
aluminum tariffs to include more than 400 consumer items that contain the
metals, such as motorcycles and tableware. The scope and implementation speed
of this latest notice took many by surprise. The new list includes auto parts,
chemicals, plastics and furniture components, demonstrating the reach of
Trump’s authority to use sectoral tariffs. That is separate from the executive
power he invoked for his so-called reciprocal tariffs.
Fix your iPhone
yourself: Canadians frustrated trying to get their iPhones fixed now have a new
option – do it themselves. Apple has launched its program that helps customers
in Canada get the parts, tools and manuals they need to fix their own devices.
Under the program, customers pay for any parts and rent or buy tools necessary
to make repairs. They also get access to manuals and diagnostic software that
help troubleshoot issues. Once a customer finishes their repair, they can
receive a credit when they return their used or damaged parts to be refurbished
or recycled responsibly.
----------------------------------------------
2025-08-18
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry
Cain - Canada]: Air Canada attendants defy order: Air Canada says it now plans
to resume flights on Monday evening after a planned resumption of service on
Sunday afternoon was scrapped when the union representing flight attendants
refused to comply with the federal government’s return-to-work order. The
airline was initially slated to resume service at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday but it
was forced to put the plans on hold after the Air Canada component of CUPE
announced that its members would not comply with a Canada Industrial Relations
Board directive ordering them back to work. The airline said that it plans to
resume flights “as of tomorrow evening,” though it did not provide details on
how it may do so should flight attendants remain off the job. It also did not
say whether it would be a full resumption of service or if some flights would
remain cancelled. Air Canada has also suspended its financial guidance for this
year, citing the effects of the labour disruption.
Zelenskyy heading to
Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his European allies
arrive in Washington today. The leaders will be looking to find out about the
terms for a potential peace deal U.S. President Donald Trump discussed with
Russian President Vladimir Putin at last Friday’s meeting in Alaska. While the
U.S. is expected to focus on territorial concessions demanded by Russia, Kyiv
will seek to pin down possible security guarantees. The allies have few options
for pushing back on demands from Trump that Ukraine may oppose and are
skeptical that Putin really wants peace.
Fewer Canadians
missing debt payments: A new report from Equifax shows signs that Canadians are
more effectively managing their debt. In the second quarter of 2025, close to
1.4 million Canadians missed a credit payment. That’s 7,000 fewer than last
quarter but still 118,000 more than a year ago. The improvements in credit
health were more visible for mortgage holders while those with no mortgage,
especially younger Canadians, continued to struggle with financial pressures.
The percentage of consumers who missed a credit payment during the second
quarter was nearly double for non-mortgage holders compared to mortgage
holders.
[Investopedia,
USA]: With U.S. stocks sitting near
record highs, Wall Street analysts say one key metric is starting to draw
dotcom bubble comparisons.
The S&P 500's
price-to-book value ratio has climbed to 5.3, a touch above extreme valuations
seen in March 2000, right before the dotcom bubble burst, according to Bank of
America market strategist Michael Hartnett.
Except, "it
better be different this time," Hartnett said in a note to clients
Thursday.
Factors that would
suggest the current market cycle is unlike the one in the 1990s—when tech stock
valuations ballooned, and subsequently burst in the early 2000s—include bond
allocations, the boom in artificial intelligence, currency debasement as well
as global rebalancing away from the U.S. to the rest of the world, he said.
However, investors partying on hopes the Federal Reserve cuts rates sooner
rather than later could drag on the U.S. dollar, as rate cuts would lower the
returns and attractiveness of investments in the currency.
--------------------------------------------
2025-08-15
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry
Cain - Canada]: Air Canada cancels flights: Air Canada says it remains
available to continue negotiations with flight attendants as it winds down
operations ahead of a potential labour disruption. The Montreal-based airline
says it hit an impasse with the union representing more than 10,500 flight
attendants over compensation, despite eight months of negotiations. The company
and the union have both submitted notice that a disruption would begin on
Saturday. About 500 flights, including the main line and budget Rouge brand,
will be cancelled by Friday evening, and all flights will be cancelled after 1
a.m. eastern time disrupting travel plans for 130,000 passengers a day. Air
Canada has asked the federal government to send the parties to binding
arbitration. The union opposes that option.
China escalates trade
dispute: China has deepened a trade spat with Canada, filing a lawsuit at the
World Trade Organization (WTO) over import restrictions on steel just days
after slapping fresh duties on Canadian canola. The WTO case targets tariffs
and quotas on steel launched by Canada last month. Those measures were “typical
trade protectionism” that disregarded China’s legitimate rights and interests
and flouted WTO rules, China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. “We
urge Canada to take immediate action to correct its erroneous practices, uphold
the rules-based multilateral trading system, and promote the continuous
improvement of China-Canada economic and trade relations,” the ministry said.
Canadian home sales
jump: Canadian home sales rose for a fourth straight month as growing
confidence the economy will weather U.S. tariffs draws more buyers back into
the market. National home sales were up 3.8 per cent in July from June,
according to data released by the Canadian Real Estate Association on Friday.
That boost was led by Toronto, which has now seen transactions rebound 35.5 per
cent since March, though the total number remains low by historical standards.
The benchmark selling price was $688,700 unchanged from the month before and
3.4 per cent lower than a year earlier.
Buffett takes stake
in UnitedHealth: The Oracle of Omaha sees value in a slumping U.S. health
insurance company. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway bought 5 million shares
in UnitedHealth, giving Berkshire a stake worth US$1.6 billion, according to a
filing. Berkshire also sold its US$1 billion stake in T-Mobile US Inc. during
the period, exiting the telecommunications operator. Buffett’s investment in
UnitedHealth comes as the health company faces multiple crises. Last year, a
UnitedHealth executive, Brian Thompson, was shot dead in Manhattan.
UnitedHealth, along with other U.S. health insurers, has also faced unexpected
increases in medical costs.
Doug Ford targets
Campbell Soup: Our colleagues at CTV News have a great story about Ontario
Premier Doug Ford and Campbell Soup. At a news conference on an unrelated issue
yesterday, Ford floated the idea of introducing legislation that would force
companies to place a flag of origin on their products, and he singled out
Campbell’s for ‘misleading people’ with some of its soup labels. “I am going to
get one of those cans, I am going to rip that label off and encourage people to
buy made in Ontario, made in Canada soup,” said the Ontario Premier.
[Investopedia,
USA]: Intel (INTC) shares surged
Thursday following a report that the Trump administration is considering taking
a stake in the struggling chipmaker.
Trump’s team has
discussed plans that could see the administration throwing its support behind
an expansion of Intel’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, Bloomberg reported
Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
White House
Spokesperson Kush Desai told Investopedia such discussions "should be
regarded as speculation unless officially announced by the
Administration." Intel did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
Shares of the
chipmaker jumped over 7% during Thursday’s regular session and rose another 4%
in extended trading, adding to gains earlier in the week amid speculation about
a deal after a promising meeting between CEO Lip-Bu Tan and President Trump.
President Trump
praised Tan’s “amazing story" on social media following the Monday
meeting, just days after calling for Tan's resignation, and said Tan would
spend more time with officials and "bring suggestions to me during the
next week."
Bernstein analysts
said Tuesday that the comments could mean more opportunities for Intel to win
support from the Trump administration, at a time when the chipmaker is
"clearly in need of help." Tan, who took the helm of Intel in March,
has moved to lower the company's headcount and shed assets in his first few
months on the job as part of his efforts to engineer a turnaround.
------------------------------------------
2025-08-14
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry
Cain - Canada]: Air Canada flight cancellations begin: Some Air Canada flights
that were scheduled to take off today will be cancelled as the airline braces
for a work stoppage this weekend. The union that represents around 10,000 Air
Canada flight attendants is poised to strike just before 1 a.m. ET on Saturday,
as the airline also plans to lock out those workers. Air Canada says it will
begin cancelling flights today, with more disruptions Friday and a complete
stoppage by Saturday if it doesn’t reach a last-minute deal with the flight
attendants’ union. The airline is expected to provide further details at a news
conference with senior airline executives this morning in Toronto. Meanwhile,
the airline says it has requested government-directed arbitration.
Linamar CEO shares insight: Earnings season continues this week, with several Canadian companies reporting their latest quarterly results. One noteworthy report comes from Linamar, the Guelph, Ont.-based maker of auto parts, construction and farming machinery. The company reported lower quarterly revenue and profit, though earnings were better than analysts expected. Linamar says it has remained largely unaffected by tariffs imposed by the U.S. as its products continue to be CUSMA compliant.
-------------------------------------------
2025-08-13
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry Cain - Canada]: Air Canada to suspend flights: Air Canada says it will begin a gradual suspension of flights as it faces a potential work stoppage by its flight attendants on Saturday. The airline says the first flights will be cancelled Thursday, with more on Friday and a complete shutdown of flying by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge by the weekend. The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice early this morning. In response, the airline issued a lockout notice. Air Canada says customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and they will be eligible for a full refund. The company also says it has made arrangements with other Canadian and international carriers to provide customers with alternative travel options to the extent possible. Late yesterday Air Canada said it had reached an impasse with the union as the two sides remained far apart in contract talks. The union has said its main sticking points revolve around what it calls flight attendants’ “poverty wages” and unpaid labour when planes aren’t in the air.
----------------------------------------------
2025-08-12
[BNN Bloomberg, Chris
Blumas - Canada]: U.S. President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act was
signed into law on July 4. This piece of legislation was passed by the U.S.
Senate by the narrowest of margins and is poised to increase budget deficits
with huge spending increases slated for security and defense.
In 2024, U.S.
government spending was more than 50 per cent higher than the pre-COVID level
of spending in 2019. This huge increase in government spending has been a major
factor driving economic growth in the United States. Going forward, government
spending in most developed economies is expected to play a key role supporting
economic growth.
During President
Trump’s first term in office, he imposed tariffs on China that did not result
in higher overall inflation. This time around, his tariffs target all his
country’s trading partners. Despite this significantly more aggressive stance,
inflation pressures in the United Sates have remained muted so far.
Looking ahead, many
economists believe that it could take up to 12 additional months for these
higher costs to be fully reflected in consumer prices. However, many businesses
could find it more difficult to pass along price increases as consumer budgets
are showing greater strain after shouldering the most recent price increases
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
All this uncertainty
has the U.S. Central Bank sitting on its hands as it waits patiently to see how
the inflation and employment transition over time.
Given this uncertain
backdrop, financial market volatility is likely to remain elevated as investors
react to economic data and geopolitical events.
While it’s difficult
to know when this volatility will subside, history has proven that it pays to
stay invested and remain mindful of company valuations. Over the long term,
financial markets have rewarded patient investors and investors that have
stayed invested and taken advantage of market volatility to achieve
significantly better results than investors that have come in and out of the
markets.
Going forward, I think it’s important for investors to remain well diversified and defensively positioned. In addition, I think investors should focus on companies that generate positive free cash flow and are self-sufficient from a financing perspective. Companies with strong, investment grade balance sheets and access to credit markets control their own destiny. These companies can endure tough times and are well positioned to create additional value for their owners by operating in a counter cyclical manner.
[Investopedia,
USA]: The U.S. has extended a trade war
truce with China, according to reports.
Because of the truce,
tariffs on Chinese products will stay at 54% instead of rising to 145%.
The U.S. had been in
a tit-for-tat trade war with China this year until May, when the two sides
agreed to pause mutual retaliation while they negotiate.
[BNN Bloomberg, Canada]:
China raises canola duties: Canada has been hit with another tariff hike, this
time from China. China is raising duties on Canadian canola after an
anti-dumping probe. China plans to impose a 75.8 per cent duty on Aug. 14 after
a preliminary ruling found Canadian imports constitute dumping, according to a
statement from China’s commerce ministry. Earlier this year, Beijing imposed a
100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola imports, in response to Canadian levies
on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. Canadian canola exports
to China totaled $5 billion in 2023. Separately, China also launched an
anti-dumping investigation into pea starch imported from Canada. Ottawa has not
yet responded to China’s move.
Trump extends China
truce: Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has extended a pause of higher
tariffs on Chinese goods for another 90 days. Trump signed an order extending
the truce through Nov. 10, deferring a tariff hike set for Tuesday. Negotiators
from both sides reached a preliminary agreement last month in Sweden. Had the
truce not been extended, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would have jumped to at
least 54 per cent.
U.S. inflation holds
steady: Markets were on edge this morning ahead of the latest reading on
inflation in the U.S. Traders were reassured as the consumer price index held
steady at 2.7 per cent in July. Stock futures surged on the news. However,
there were some signs of continued price pressures under the surface. Core
inflation surged by the most since January.
Gildan reportedly
close to Hanes deal: The Financial Times is reporting Canada’s Gildan
Activewear is in advanced talks to buy U.S. underwear maker Hanesbrands. The
report says the transaction could value Hanesbrands at almost US$5 billion
including debt and it may be agreed by the end of the week, though negotiations
are not finalized and may still collapse. Shares in Hanesbrands jumped as much
as 26 per cent in premarket trading. Last year, Gildan’s entire board resigned,
and CEO Vince Tyra stepped down as president and CEO after a prolonged proxy
battle.
Mixed results from
Cineplex: Canada’s dominant movie theatre chain has reported mixed quarterly
results. Second quarter revenue jumped 31 per cent, topping analyst estimates,
thanks to films such as A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch and Mission:
Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Cineplex narrowed its losses in the quarter;
however, analysts were expecting the company to make a profit. We’ll find out
how the summer movie season has been going when Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob joins
BNN Bloomberg today at 3:20 eastern time.
------------------------------------------------
2025-08-07
Statistics Canada says the economy shed 41,000 jobs in July while the unemployment rate held steady at 6.9 per cent.
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2025-08-06
[CTV News]: Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to transform Canada’s softwood lumber industry
Main Content
August 5, 2025
West Kelowna, British Columbia
The global trade landscape has fundamentally changed. To meet this moment, Canada’s new government is developing a comprehensive industrial strategy. It will invest in domestic production, develop Canadian expertise, support our companies to retool and reinvest, and help industries pivot to a growing Canadian market and those of new, reliable trading partners around the world.
As part of that strategy, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced a series of new measures to help the softwood lumber industry transform to remain competitive. These measures will help unlock the full potential of the industry as we scale up housing and major infrastructure construction and drive long-term economic growth, rooted in Canadian resources and innovation.
Canada’s new government will:
Provide up to $700 million in loan guarantees to address the immediate pressures facing the softwood lumber sector. This will ensure companies have the financing and credit support they need to maintain and restructure their operations during this period of transformation.
Invest $500 million to supercharge product and market diversification to make the industry more competitive for the long-term. As technology changes the way we build and demand grows for softwood lumber, this will increase domestic processing and value-added production. This investment will also include initiatives that support Indigenous-led forestry business development and diversification.
Build Canadian by prioritizing Canadian materials in construction and changing federal procurement processes to require companies contracting with the federal government to source Canadian lumber. As the government delivers on its mandate to build major infrastructure projects faster and to increase the pace of homebuilding to nearly 500,000 new homes per year over the next decade, we will ensure Canadian lumber and other Canadian materials are prioritized in that construction. Once established, Build Canada Homes will provide financing to innovative private sector home builders in Canada that use Canadian technologies and resources, like mass timber and softwood lumber.
Diversify international markets for Canada’s sustainably sourced forest products. We will launch a new initiative to diversify exports of Canadian wood products, including the reinvigoration of federal programming to expand offshore markets for sustainable, innovative, high-quality products. In fast-growing regions with rising demand for housing and other buildings, we will promote Canadian lumber as an affordable, sustainable solution.
Provide $50 million for upskilling, reskilling, and income supports for more than 6,000 affected softwood lumber workers through the Labour Market Development Agreements. This investment builds on temporary enhancements to the Employment Insurance (EI) program and the EI Work-Sharing program. Through this investment, we will equip workers with the tools and training they need to stay competitive – helping them adapt to new technologies, strengthen their expertise, and excel in changing industries.
Canada’s economy is shifting from reliance to resilience. During this time of transformation, these measures will ensure Canada’s softwood lumber industry and workers are able to adapt and emerge even stronger.
Quotes
“The forest sector is a pillar of Canada’s economy. As we shift from reliance to resilience, Canada’s new government will ensure the industry can transform to seize new opportunities in Canadian and international markets. In the face of a changing global landscape, we are focused on what we can control – building Canada strong with Canadian expertise, using Canadian lumber.”
The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“Canada’s forestry sector is a cornerstone of our economy. It supports nearly 200,000 good jobs in both urban and rural communities and accounts for billions in contribution to Canada’s GDP and exports every year. Through the actions announced today and existing supports, we are committed to protecting this key industry and the workers who power it.”
The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue
“Today’s announcement showcases the Government of Canada’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Canadian economy and the workers who keep it strong. By bolstering this key industry and ensuring resilient supply chains, we stand with the industry, its workers, and communities to keep Canada a trusted global trade partner.”
The Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“The world is changing, and Canada must be ready to meet the challenges of our times. That’s why the government is taking action to support the workers and industries that build Canada – day in and day out. By strengthening what we have here at home and standing up for Canada, we’re making sure our country stays strong, competitive, and ready to lead.”
The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
“Canada’s natural resources are not only a cornerstone of our national identity – they are the foundation of our economy. Protecting and modernizing our resource industries in the face of tariffs and global uncertainty is critical to safeguarding Canadian jobs and communities and ensuring a prosperous and strong future.”
The Hon. Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Quick facts
Canada’s forest sector is a major economic driver, supporting nearly 200,000 workers, including over 11,000 Indigenous Peoples, and contributing more than $20 billion to our GDP.
In 2024, 66% of Canada’s total softwood lumber production was exported, and of that, nearly 90% was exported to the U.S.
On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce doubled duties on softwood lumber products from Canada, with further increases expected later this month.
New and innovative forest products such as engineered timber, biofuels, and forest product-based biodegradable packaging materials are helping Canada reach net-zero by 2050 and enabling more sustainable, efficient housing solutions.
Canada’s new government will double the pace of homebuilding to almost 500,000 new homes a year over the next decade. That alone will double the use of Canadian softwood lumber in residential construction – an increase of almost 2 billion board feet – and it will double demand for structural panels – an increase of almost 1 billion square feet.
Build Canada Homes, once established, will prioritize the use of Canadian-made materials – including lumber – to accelerate housing construction while supporting Canadian workers and industries.
------------
Claire’s Holdings LLC says it’s filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. and will soon follow suit in Canada.
-----------------------------------
2025-08-01
[BNN Bloomberg, Canada]:
Tony Ciero’s Top Picks: Berkshire Hathaway, Royal Bank, Amazon
Despite improved
equity market returns thus far in the third quarter, investor sentiment remains
cautiously optimistic, with a primary focus on the ongoing global tariffs saga.
Tough to navigate
with so many tariff deferrals, reversals, and limited visibility on final
tariffs - Aug. 1 will be telling.
Recent Trade deals
with Japan & European Union at 15 per cent has calmed investor nerves. For
Canada, we believe both sides are trying to reach an agreement. Sentiment is
almost like ‘just pick a number and be done with it’
Prime Minister Mark
Carney can promote growth by eliminating inter-provincial trade barriers. In
speaking with clients in other fields such as construction, they would benefit
far more from relaxing trade barriers in Canada which can more than offset any
damage caused by trade tariffs with the U.S.
In the U.S., the
Federal Reserve rate decision remained unchanged. U.S. President Donald Trump
wants rates to come down while Fed Chair Jerome Powell wants to hold steady
given the overall economy strength and low unemployment rate, a drastic move
either way can cause equity market uncertainty and heightened volatility
Also, big tech
earnings (Microsoft / Meta / Apple / Amazon) have already reported. These
earnings can dictate market sentiment
In Canada, high
unemployment rate (approaching seven per cent) and a potential housing crises
does not bold well, however internal growth can be spurred by eliminating and
reducing inter-provincial trade barriers and promoting infrastructure projects.
If this were to occur, Canadian banks would be clear winners as they will provide the funding and underwriting for loans and credit.
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2025-07-31
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday increasing tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 per cent from 25 per cent, the White House said.
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2025-07-30
The Bank of Canada announced Wednesday it will hold its key interest rate at 2.75 per cent.
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2025-07-29: Paul MacDonald’s Top Picks: Stryker, Abbott Labs, Elevance Health
BNN Bloomberg
The broader U.S. market experienced significant volatility in the first quarter, yet the healthcare sector, typically considered defensive, outperformed significantly. This initial resilience was driven by investor flight to safety amid escalating trade tensions and economic uncertainty, times that one would expect defensive areas and those with relatively less tariff implications, to outperform.
However, a dramatic shift occurred post “Liberation Day” and the associated tariff announcements. As the market broadly gained momentum on a perceived easing of some economic anxieties and a rotation into cyclical and growth sectors, defensive areas like healthcare underperformed. This was further exacerbated by policy concerns, particularly renewed focus on drug pricing reforms and the threat of new pharmaceutical tariffs, coupled with uncertainty in the new leadership of health and human services, all weighed heavily on investor sentiment and fueled continued underperformance in the sector.
These dynamics have all contributed to significant compression in valuation metrics for many of the companies within the sector. This has resulted in the divergence in valuations compared to the broader market hitting levels rarely seen since the early 1990’s. Initial earnings results have however pointed to some optimism in the sector, with less tariff related impacts than had been expected and generally positive commentary regarding potential policy changes. The longer-term positive backdrop of aging populations, technological innovations and developing markets remains in-tact as we await catalysts in the shorter term to look through some of the policy uncertainty and political rhetoric.
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2025-07-24
[BNN Bloomberg Canada]: Tesla and Alphabet results: It’s a busy week for corporate earnings, and today two American technology giants are taking centre stage. Shares of Tesla traded lower in the pre-market. CEO Elon Musk is warning of difficult times ahead for the carmaker after one of the worst quarters for the company in more than a decade. Musk says Tesla will be in a transition period for at least a year as the company deals with losing electric vehicle incentives in the U.S. Musk says Tesla also needs time to roll out autonomous vehicles. Meanwhile shares of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, traded higher in the pre-market after its latest results topped expectations. Demand for artificial intelligence products boosted quarterly sales. Alphabet raised its capital spending budget to US$85 billion for this year, as it tries to stay on top of artificial intelligence trends.
Loblaw’s revenue and profit rise: Loblaw says revenue and profit increased in its latest quarter, and adjusted earnings topped expectations. The grocery giant says same-store traffic, basket size and item count all increased from a year ago. Sales were also up at Loblaw’s Shoppers Drug Mart business. Loblaw says a four for one stock split will take place on Aug. 18 and will be paid out as a stock dividend.
Teck to invest $2.4 billion in mine: Vancouver-based Teck Resources is extending the life of its Highland Valley copper mine until 2046. Teck says the extension will cost up to $2.4 billion dollars. The mine, which is in southern British Columbia, produced 102,000 tons of copper last year which makes it Canada’s largest copper mine. Teck also reported mixed quarterly results this morning, with adjusted profit topping expectations and revenue missing the average analyst estimate.
Rescue efforts continue: Rescue efforts are continuing at a northern B.C. mine where three workers are trapped underground. Operator Newmont Corp. says it is working to assemble specialist teams from nearby mine sites to respond to the situation at the Red Chris Mine in a remote area near Dease Lake, B.C. The three contractors, two from British Columbia and one from Ontario, were trapped Tuesday after two incidents in an access way to the underground work area. The company says the workers are in a refuge bay, which has enough food, water and ventilation for an extended period. Newmont says it is working to restore communication and bring the workers to the surface.
Algoma seeks $500 million federal loan: Algoma Steel has applied for a $500 million federal loan, and says it has sufficient resources to manage its liquidity over the near term. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. company says it is considering various alternatives to bolster liquidity, with the amount of added financing depending in part on the duration and severity of the trade dispute with the United States and the extent to which the Canadian steel market remains exposed to unfairly priced imports. Algoma is also evaluating investments to serve long-term domestic demand in sectors such as defence and construction.
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2025-07-23
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry
Cain - Canada]: Trade deal not imminent: Prime Minister Mark Carney has lowered
expectations about reaching a trade agreement with the U.S. in the next 10
days. After meeting with provincial leaders Tuesday, Carney said Canada will
not accept a bad deal... and the federal government is pursuing an agreement that
will be in the best interest of Canadians. Carney added that the talks have
been difficult because the Trump administration keeps changing its goals.
Carney’s government is making a push to get a deal by Aug. 1 — the date on
which U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to levy tariffs of 35 per cent
on some Canadian goods that aren’t covered under the existing North American
free trade pact.
U.S. – Japan trade
deal: Meanwhile, Trump has reached a trade deal with Japan that will impose 15
per cent tariffs on imports including automobiles, while creating a US$550
billion fund for investments in the U.S. The agreement spares Japan from a
threatened 25 per cent tariff that was set to take effect next week. The
agreement has given an overall boost to global financial markets, as well as
some specific sectors. Shares in Japanese carmakers jumped in Tokyo, with
Toyota rising by as much as 16 per cent.
CN Rail cuts
forecast: Shares of Canadian National Railway traded lower in the premarket,
after the company reduced its 2025 profit forecast and removed its outlook
entirely for next year. CN now expects earnings per share to rise in the “mid
to high single-digit range” this year, a sharp cut from earlier guidance that
called for 10 to 15 per cent growth. The company says there’s too much
uncertainty and volatility in trade policy to stick with a longer-term
forecast. “A few months ago, the trade deals seemed imminent,” CEO Tracy
Robinson said during a call with analysts, “and instead, there is an increasing
uncertainty around the tariff and trade environment — particularly in Canada —
and some concerns over weakening macroeconomic environment.”
Rogers tops
estimates: Rogers Communications beat analysts’ estimates in the second
quarter, posting higher sales in its wireless and media divisions. The telecom
giant also raised its 2025 revenue outlook after buying control of Toronto’s
basketball and hockey teams. Rogers now expects total revenue to grow between
three to five per cent this year -- though the company is sticking with its
previous profit forecast. Rogers’ wireless unit, its largest business, added
35,000 postpaid mobile subscribers during the quarter.
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2025-07-22
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry Cain - Canada]: Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a trade deal with Japan that he said will result in Japan investing US$550 billion into the United States and paying a 15 per cent reciprocal tariff.
PM meets premiers on trade: Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with Canada's premiers today, as trade tensions with the United States continue. Ontario Premier Doug Ford renewed a call to buy “Canadian-made everything” on Monday to apply pressure on the U.S. to negotiate a trade deal and lift tariffs. Carney is sending Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, to Washington this week to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
GM takes US$1B tariff
hit: Global auto giant Stellantis on Monday detailed the hit the company will
take from U.S. tariffs. On Tuesday, it’s General Motors. The automaker reported
lower profit in the second quarter as Trump’s tariffs cut more than $1 billion
dollars from adjusted earnings. The automaker’s profit also took a hit from
higher warranty costs and a backlog of electric vehicles. GM also recalled more
than half a million trucks in the quarter due to an engine issue.
Coca-Cola confirms
sugar cane drinks: Shares of Coca-Cola are edging lower in pre-market trading.
The company beat sales and profit expectations in the second quarter. Coca-Cola
says its plans to launch a new version of Coke made with U.S. cane sugar this
fall. This comes less than a week after Trump posted about Coca-Cola using cane
sugar in Coke drinks sold in the U.S.
Chartwell deal:
Canada’s largest operator of retirement residences is buying an additional six
retirement communities. Chartwell Retirement Residences will expand its presence
in central and southwestern Ontario in a sale worth $432 million. The deal is
expected to close in the final quarter of 2025.
Lululemon and Shopify
downgraded: Two of Canada’s leading companies have been hit with analyst
downgrades. JPMorgan has cut its rating of Vancouver-based Lululemon to neutral
from overweight. The firm cites challenges in growing sales at its stores in
the Americas, profit margin challenges, and a decrease in store traffic
reflecting a “more cautious, discerning consumer.” Meanwhile, Loop Capital
Markets has cut its recommendation on Shopify’s stock to hold from buy, citing
valuation concerns. Analyst Anthony Chukumba still likes the e-commerce
company’s fundamentals but is advising investors to wait for a more attractive
entry point for the stock.
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2025-07-21
[BNN Bloomberg, Canada]: Leaders mull tariff response: Canadian politicians are in the spotlight this week, as leaders continue to develop responses to trade actions by the United States. A three-day premiers meeting begins today in Ontario’s cottage country, with a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney set for Tuesday. Most of what the premiers are likely to discuss stems from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs: trade negotiations, the direct impact on industries such as steel and aluminum, the increased push to remove interprovincial trade barriers and speed up major infrastructure and natural resource projects to counteract the effects of tariffs. Trump recently moved a deadline for a new trade agreement with Canada to Aug. 1, while telling Carney he intends to impose 35 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canada that same day.
BoC rate cut unlikely: Expectations for further interest rate cuts this year from the Bank of Canada are slowly evaporating. As Erik Hertzberg of Bloomberg News notes, economists at two of Canada’s largest lenders, Bank of Nova Scotia and Royal Bank, now say Governor Tiff Macklem will keep the benchmark rate at 2.75 per cent through the end of 2025. Despite the impact of U.S. tariff uncertainty, growth appears to be holding up far better than the worst-case recessionary outcomes projected by economists earlier this year. Economists at Bank of Montreal and Toronto-Dominion Bank’s securities arm, on the other hand, still see at least one more rate cut this year.
CIBC tops Scotiabank: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has inched past Bank of Nova Scotia in market capitalization to become Canada’s fourth-most valuable bank, as investor sentiment shifts in favor of lenders with more exposure to the domestic market. As highlighted by Chaimae Chouiekh of Bloomberg News, CIBC has been the top-performing major Canadian bank over the past year, with its shares soaring 47 per cent, giving it a market value of $94.6 billion as of Friday’s close. It hadn’t outranked Scotiabank since the early 2000s, until this month. Scotiabank has been the worst performer of the group, with its shares rising 17 per cent over the past 12 months. That’s largely due to underwhelming earnings as the bank executes a long-term strategy of trying to shrink the capital it allocates to Latin America.
Verizon and Domino’s beat expectations: It will be a busy week for quarterly earnings reports from major companies such as CN Rail, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Rogers Communications, Tesla, Alphabet, Teck Resources and Loblaw. This morning two U.S. names are in the spotlight – Verizon and Domino’s. Shares of Verizon are trading higher in the premarket after the telecom company raised the lower end of its annual profit forecast. Second quarter revenue and profit topped expectations. Shares of Domino’s Pizza are also trading higher after surpassing analysts’ expectations for second-quarter U.S. same-store sales, driven by new items on the menu and promotions.
Tariffs hit Stellantis: Auto giant Stellantis expects a net loss of 2.3 billion euros in the first half of the year amid pre-tax net charges and early effects of U.S. tariffs. Stellantis, which owns household names including Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler and Peugeot – and has production facilities here in Canada - said it expects an initial hit of 300 million euros in its first-half results due to tariffs, as well as planned production losses as part of its response plan.
[Investopia, USA]: The 50% tariffs on imports from Brazil that are set to go into effect next month likely will raise orange juice and coffee prices for U.S. consumers.
Brazil supplies a significant portion of the U.S. market for those commodities, and limited supply alternatives exist.
Prices for future deliveries of orange juice and coffee have surged in the wake of the tariff announcement from President Trump.
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2025-07-17
[BNN Bloomberg, Andrew
Bell - Canada]: Sour feeling: Shares in corn processor
Archer-Daniels-Midland, a producer of high fructose syrup, dropped five per
cent in premarket trading. That’s after U.S. President Donald Trump said
Coca-Cola has agreed to use “real cane sugar” in Coke soda in the U.S. Coke
itself was guarded, saying “more details on new innovative offerings within our
Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon.” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst
Alvin Tai says, “using sugar would displace high-fructose corn syrup, creating
an oversupply of corn and hurting ADM’s corn-processing business.”
[BNN Bloomberg, Terry
Cain - Canada]: Gold deal: We have yet another takeover in
the precious metals space. AngloGold Ashanti has offered to buy Toronto-listed
Augusta Gold for $1.70 per share in cash in a deal valued at about $197
million. That’s a premium of almost 30 per cent to yesterday’s close. Augusta
is developing gold projects in Nevada, U.S.
Silver screens well:
Citigroup says silver will extend its rally beyond US$40 an ounce in the coming
months on tightening physical supplies and
growing investment
demand but the bank is still cautious on gold. Citi analysts warn that the peak
may be in for gold and that the precious metal will drop below US$3,000 next
year, down from just over $3,340 today.
Stocks turnaround:
U.S. stock futures recovered from earlier losses, lifted by solid corporate
earnings. Shares in Goldman Sachs and Bank of America rose in the premarket
after the lenders posted record-setting trading revenues (trading juiced
results in the latest quarter at Citi and JPMorgan too). Johnson & Johnson
was higher after lifting its full-year forecast.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney says steel originating in China will be subjected to higher tariffs to try and prevent steel dumping amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing global trade war.
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