Fall 2012 Challenges Assignment

Canadians are more than ever drown in debt. When it comes to comparing with the neighbor (US) we are carrying more debt than them. Market observers argued that Canadian consumers will no longer be able to hold up rising household debt.

The S&P/TSX composite index rose 70.06 points to 12,404.40, as key commodities prices moved higher. The TSX Venture Exchange gained 2.11 points to 1,178.11. March copper declined about four cents to US$3.61 a pound while February gold bullion moved ahead $3 to US$1,673.70 an ounce. In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was up 0.6 per cent at 5,968 while Germany's DAX rose 0.2 per cent at 7,667. The CAC-40 in France was 0.4 per cent higher at 3,661.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and Suncor Energy Inc. added at least 0.9 percent as crude rose to a three-month high. Yamana Gold Inc. gained 4.5 percent as gold rose the most in six weeks. The market today is moving primarily on the Chinese data, so gold is up and crude is up which is very good for the Canadian market," said John Kinsey, fund manager with Caldwell Securities Ltd. in Toronto. His firm manages about C$1 billion ($1.01 billion). "Those are the two areas that have been dragging." Yamana climbed 4.5 percent to C$17.06 and Eldorado Gold Corp. advanced 3.3 percent to C$12.61 as gold futures for February delivery gained 1.4 percent to $1,678 an ounce in New York, the biggest gain for a most-active contract since since Nov. 6.

The firm acquired 180 oil and gas wells, 150,000 net acres in mineral leases, a gas processing facility and a 262-mile gas gathering system from Houston-based Patara Oil & Gas, it said in a press release. Dubin was listed as number 285 on the Forbes 400 list of billionaires in September 2012 with a net worth of $1.7 billion; Tudor was number 108 on the same list, with $3.6 billion.

February crude was up 96 cents at US$94.24 a barrel and the energy sector was down 0.35%. Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) gave back 35 cents to C$28.74. The gold sector was off about 0.4% while February bullion declined 70 cents to US$1,683.20 an ounce. Barrick Gold Corp. (TSX:ABX) faded 34 cents to C$33.69.

The S&P/TSX composite index fell 87.49 points to 12,453.32, giving back a good-sized chunk of last week's gain of almost two per cent, while the TSX Venture Exchange added 0.74 of a points to 1,228.96. The energy sector was down 0.8 per cent with the February crude contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange down 26 cents to US$92.83 a barrel. Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) shed 35 cents to C$33.22 and Talisman Energy (TSX:TLM) was 24 cents lower to $11.65. The gold sector slipped about 0.7 per cent February bullion fell $3.40 to US$1,645.50 an ounce. Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM) faded 79 cents to C$49.60 and Centerra Gold (TSX:CG) declined 14 cents to $9.20.

Unemployment itself has negative effects on people besides the obvious ones of having less money. People are more likely to become depressed, less likely to retain learned skills and it may even affect their children's earnings.

Household debt contributes to recessions and depressions, one major cause is banks lowering their lending requirements to make more money. Household debt can be reduced through income and savings, debt negotiations and inflation.

Canadian government article advising consumers about debt, such as recognizing danger signs, various methods to deal with it, and information on declaring bankruptcy in case consumers are unable to pay off their debts.

Some ways to deal with debt are limiting yourself, thinking before spending (do I really this?), using cash instead of credit cards and getting educated about finance to minimize debt when it has to be paid.

The article talks about strategies on how to save for things like education, on saving for a car, how to pay off your debt at lower rates as well. 

According to a poll disclosed from CIBC, tells us that many Canadian are finding themselves in debt for longer periods of time then they had originally expected. 

There is a widening gap in terms of inequality in Canada and it goes on to say that its being blamed on tax cuts for such inequalities, the article goes on to state that the inequality may be the reason for the province to be facing this growing poverty. 

Should Canadians be worried about the financial stability of our banks?

Queensland resources council conducted a study that showed the mineral and energy has once again has increased its economic contribution to the state. resource companies have created 36 billion in gross regional product, due to gas and coal companies. it is a smart decision that auzi started to investing in producing a wide range of commodity resources. since the coal market struck a high. The challenge now is to ensure that there is a strong pipeline of projects across all commodities to sustain and grow the resources.

Question Do you think a country like Aus would have more success investing in resources and commodities than Canada?

- The price of commodities has been going up and down the past week as negotiations over the U.S budget continues. - Oil rose while natural gas fell. Silver rose 2%, gold raised $10.70, copper gained 6.8 cents, palladium ended up at $12.25 and platinum gained $7.80 - Investors are hoping a new budget is agreed upon so that tax doesn't increase - There is a possibility that the economist believe that U.S could be pushed back into recession if a budget is not agreed upon. - During the second quarter, the economy grew at a faster rate than initially thought by the commerce department. - More Americans starting buying homes due to the job gains and low mortgage rates. The National Association of Realtors said an index measuring pending contracts to buy homes jumped last month.

do you think that the new budget will make a difference in the commodities prices ?

"A new status quo of slow or stagnant economic growth for Ontario's economy is developing," warns the Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress. "If economic growth languishes at less than 2 per cent annually, everything from government funding and programs to private sector competitiveness and employment will be impacted." The issue of dead money surfaced this summer when Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney said Canadian companies are sitting on cash when they should be investing or returning it to shareholders - comments that sparked an avalanche of criticism from economists and executives. Canada's relative stability should make businesses more willing to invest. Instead, they are sitting on large cash reserves. Ontario's GDP per capita ranks 14th among 16 North American peer jurisdictions and lags the median of the peers by $7,500 Roger Martin, chairman of the task force and Rotman School of Management dean, in a release. "But the gap in GDP per capita with North American peers shows that Ontario needs to move now to push for more growth." Dead money could be used "to invest in the physical and human capital we need to increase our productivity and close the prosperity gap," he added. Key Concepts: GDP- gross domestic product Stagnate- Showing no activity; dull and sluggish: "a stagnant economy".

1) A crazy one would be to not corporate tax, them, if only for the beginning. Maybe subsidies the companies the government wants businesses to be involved in, and to be willing to invest into.

2.I think the government should not intervene in the decisions different companies make unless it greatly affects the country's economy.

Questions 1. What effects will interest rate cuts and expanding consumer credit have on Brazil's economy? 2. Would allowing the private sector to build and operate airports, highways and cutting electricity costs be good for Brazil's economy? Why?

1- It might cause an economic recession. 2- It will be beneficial as long as there isn't one company operating all these areas(monopoly power) which leads to a market failure. It will bring money to the private sector. Netan

Questions 1) Do you think it is the beginning of the recovery from a recession or a temporary sigh? (Explain) 2) In your own words, how does housing market depends and at the same time affects economy of the U.S?