Economic Overviews

For the first time in recent history, the average Canadian is richer than the average American. According to data from Environics Analytics WealthScapes published in the Globe and Mail, the net worth of the average Canadian household in 2011 was $363,202, while the average American household’s net worth was $319,970. [In addition,] Canada’s unemployment rate...[has fallen to] 7.2%, and America’s [remains at] 8.2%. Canada continues to thrive while the U.S. struggles to find its way out of an intractable economic crisis and a political sine curve of hope and despair. Words: 805

...[In spite of the fact that] our economy is still struggling to regain its strength [as a result of] stubborn unemployment and sluggish growth at home combined with a slowing China and a dysfunctional eurozone have cast a dark shadow on America’s eternal optimism....I believe there is nowhere else in the world where opportunity abounds and initiative is rewarded as it is in the U.S.A.. [This is confirmed by] the findings of IMD's annual World Competitiveness Yearbook which surveyed more than 4,200 international executives as to how well countries manage their economic and human resources to increase prosperity. Of the 59 ranked economies in 2012, the U.S. ranked 2nd. Words: 734

...[In spite of the fact that] our economy is still struggling to regain its strength [as a result of] stubborn unemployment and sluggish growth at home combined with a slowing China and a dysfunctional eurozone have cast a dark shadow on America’s eternal optimism....I believe there is nowhere else in the world where opportunity abounds and initiative is rewarded as it is in the U.S.A.. [This is confirmed by] the findings of IMD's annual World Competitiveness Yearbook which surveyed more than 4,200 international executives as to how well countries manage their economic and human resources to increase prosperity. Of the 59 ranked economies in 2012, the U.S. ranked 2nd. Words: 734

The Heritage Foundation just put out a report full of charts and infographics highlighting "key economic and political indicators for Asia." Here is one to watch – China's foreign investment spending in other countries. Take a look!

The Heritage Foundation just put out a report full of charts and infographics highlighting "key economic and political indicators for Asia." Here is one to watch – China's foreign investment spending in other countries. Take a look!

Deutsche Bank's Joe LaVorgna tracks payroll tax receipts as a measure of real-time labor market health [see an earlier article on that chart and a host of others here] and the latest data for the current quarter show receipts growing 6% year-over-year. [It brings into question all those purveyors of doom who claim that a recesssion is just around the corner.]

When the public, and in particular the savings public at large, comes to understand that quantitative easing is actually counterfeiting...you will begin to see confidence cave and the collapse in confidence will be epic. That’s what has me nervous. [Here is how to detect when confidence is about to cave and how to protect oneself in such an eventuality.]

When the public, and in particular the savings public at large, comes to understand that quantitative easing is actually counterfeiting...you will begin to see confidence cave and the collapse in confidence will be epic. That’s what has me nervous. [Here is how to detect when confidence is about to cave and how to protect oneself in such an eventuality.]

We love charts....so we reached out to some of the world's most influential analysts, economists, hedge-funders and traders and asked them a simple question: "What charts are you always keeping your eye on?" [Here they are!] Words: 440

The extremely optimistic assumptions on which both of the recent International Monetary Fund's 'World Economic Update' and 'Global Financial Stability Report' are based are such that, given all the attendant circumstances, I do not place much weight on either of them. Here is a summary of what the reports have to say and why I have come to that conclusion. Words: 625