Archive for April, 2011
Ontario’s economic pulse is beating faster despite the strong Canadian dollar
Mid-way through the first half of 2011, it appears the Ontario economy is shifting to a higher gear driven in large part by the strengthening expansion of the U.S. economy and despite a 5% appreciation of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S
U.S. GDP growth slowed in this year’s first quarter
In the first quarter of this year, U.S.
U.S. home prices continue their slide but confidence improves
While the U.S. economy is recovering, it is generally agreed that full health will not be restored until the housing sector turns around
Construction Materials Costs Being Driven Up by Surging Freight Costs
A significant part of the recent spike in construction materials costs — up 6.8% in the last twelve months — is due to the 7-8% rise in truck freight rates over the past year through March. Freight costs accumulate from the commodity source through processing and manufacturing, distribution and finally delivery to the job site
Home Prices: More Declines Needed in Some States; Set to Rebound in Some States
Housing continues in a slump in spite of a record high national home affordability index of 192.3, calculated by the National Association of Realtors. This means that a household with a median income has over 90% more income than necessary to qualify for an 80% mortgage loan on a median priced house. An index this high would usually happen only during an overheated housing boom.
