Debt

S&P warns on U.S. debt

The showdown in Washington over the U.S. national debt has prompted Standard & Poor’s to adjust its rating on U.S. Treasuries. While the U.S. still enjoys a AAA rating, S&P warned that there is a one in three chance that it will downgrade the country in the next two years. “Because the U.S. has, relative […]

By Wire services |April 18, 2011

2 min read

Planning and Advice

Debt: Why drown to learn how to swim?

Sometimes we all need to reassess ourselves. Sometimes we all need to step back and examine where it is we are going and where we have been. In writing this column for Advisor.ca, it is probably time that I reevaluate my stance.

|April 11, 2011

6 min read

Economic Indicators

Survey: Homeowners need help fighting debt

Canadian homeowners need reinforcements to help in their war against household debt.

By John Powell |March 29, 2011

1 min read

Economic Indicators

Debt troubles rock Iberian Peninsula

Europe’s debt problems took a turn for the worse on Thursday, as the government of Portugal resigned and Spanish banks felt the sting of credit downgrades. The resignation of the Portuguese government pretty much guaranteed that the debt-laden nation will require a bailout from its European Union partners. The country’s 10-year bonds were sold off, […]

By Wire services |March 24, 2011

2 min read

Household debt high, but not dangerous

Reader Alert: This editorial is in response to Stephanie Holmes-Winton’s March16th column ‘What debt issue?’. Household debt in Canada is at record levels, but the situation is not as dire as some reports have suggested. While average household debt is $112,000, assets are also at record levels and net worth will increase as the economy […]

3 min read

National net worth nudges northward

As a nation, our debt levels might be bad, but our net worth is still growing. Canadian national net worth rose by 0.3% to $6.3 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to a Statistics Canada report. On a per capita basis, national net worth grew to $184,200 in the fourth quarter, up from […]

2 min read

Home buying takes plenty of homework

The spring real estate season is just around the corner and clients may already be asking your advice about financing. Whether a fixer-upper or a new build, cost is the biggest consideration among Canadians looking to buy a home, says TD Canada Trust releases 2011 Home Buyers Report. This may be obvious to most advisors, […]

3 min read

Best borrowers or just euro backers?

Congratulations, we’re all winners! Canada has been recognized by EuroWeek as carrying out the bond deal of the year in 2010. Who knew we were in the running? Who knew countries could win accolades for their borrowing finesse? But it’s not our overall bond-issuing prowess that has impressed the judges but specifically the placement of […]

By Steven Lamb |March 4, 2011

2 min read

U.S. debt fight may spook markets

Earlier this week the U.S. Treasury revised its estimate for when Washington will hit the $14.294 trillion statutory limit on government borrowing. The limit is now expected to be reached between April 15 and May 31, having previously been pegged at April 5 to May 31. The announcement was accompanied by the usual dire warnings […]

4 min read