Market turbulence takes its toll
Jun 19, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Economic Data Remains the Focus Equity markets around the world continued to decline this week as investors remain focused on the trend of economic data and whether economic growth is strong enough to prompt the Fed to scale back stimulus measures. The S&P 500 has slipped...
Benchmarks lose footing
Jun 12, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks interrupted Equity markets around the world had a rough go of it this week as investors fretted over mixed economic data and the timing of stimulus reduction in the US. The decision as to when the Federal Reserve will pare back its stimulus program has hung over the...
Stocks regain footing, inch higher
Jun 5, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks regain footing, inch higher Most major equity markets advanced on the week brushing aside mixed US economic data and a big slide in Japanese stocks. In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei index has shed more than 13% since May 22 taking it into official correction territory. The...
North American markets show resolve
May 29, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks run into headwinds Global equity markets looked vulnerable for the first time in many weeks as investors contemplated life without the Fed and a slower growing China. Fears the US Federal Reserve will reduce its stimulus program were triggered after Fed Chairman...
Stocks press on
May 23, 2013 / 6:00 am
Big Picture Stocks press on Most major global equity markets continued their upward journeys this week despite less-than-inspired economic data. In the US, weaker-than-forecast employment and housing numbers were the most disappointing releases of the week (Thursday) but as dismal as...
Stocks on cruise control
May 15, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks on cruise control Global equity markets continued to march higher amid a relatively quiet but upbeat week for news and economic releases. Once again it was jobs data from south of the border that helped fuel positive sentiment and bring out the buyers as...
Bay, Wall Streets gain
May 8, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Central bankers lift sentiment, markets It was a bumpy week for most major equity markets but they were able to advance through Thursday thanks to central bankers’ actions in Europe and south of the border. In Europe, the ECB did what it hadn’t done for 10...
Stocks slump on growth fears
Apr 24, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks slump on growth fears It was a tough week for stock markets around the world with many registering their biggest point declines in months. The trigger lay in re-ignited fears over slowing global growth in two of the world’s three economic engines. On Monday,...
Stocks back on track
Apr 17, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks back on track after last week’s slip Firm economic readings from overseas and a good jobs report south of the border helped right markets sending them higher through Thursday. China got things going early in the week as the country reported imports surging...
Worries creep back into stocks
Apr 10, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Worries creep back into stocks Market enthusiasm was tempered this week by signs of faltering growth in the US. Weak US hiring, jobs and services sector reports were the primary concern but news of slowing manufacturing growth in March also disappointed investors. On...
Cyprus worries fade but don't disappear
Apr 3, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Cyprus worries fade but don’t disappear Worries over Cyprus dissipated this week but the reopening of the country’s banks today served as a reminder that things are far from well in the tiny nation. The failure of Cyprus’ two largest banks forced the...
Euro-zone flare-up chills markets
Mar 27, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Euro-zone flare-up chills markets Worries over a failing Cyprus and its impact on the euro-zone economy pulled most major equity markets lower this week. And it appears the uncertainty will continue today (March 22) and perhaps through the weekend as the country has until...
Stocks advance...again
Mar 20, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks advance … again Global equity markets largely advanced this week as evidence of an expanding US economy grows. This week it was US retail sales which jumped higher. The rise in sales was the fourth consecutive and the biggest since September suggesting...
Stocks barrel ahead
Mar 6, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Stocks barrel ahead Markets continued to rise ignoring looming US budget cuts, euro zone flare ups and less-than-stellar economic news here and south of the border. The single biggest hurdle cleared on the week was the government-related uncertainty coming from Italy....
TSX hit by growth concerns
Feb 27, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Investors uneasy over economic data and possible Fed rethink Markets were pulled lower through Thursday by disappointing economic data in the US and Europe as well as fears the Fed’s bond-buying program may end sooner rather than later. In the US, more people...
Investors mull next move
Feb 20, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Investors mull next move North American stock markets ended the week near where they began amid a relatively quiet economic calendar. In the US, retail sales saw a modest rise of .1% in January, the year’s first read on the all-important consumer spending gauge. The...
Paths to new highs will have to wait
Feb 13, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Paths to new highs will have to wait Markets took a breather this week as political worries rose in Europe and US economic data softened. In the US, initial jobless claims declined last week to 366,000 which was good but the expected number was 360,000; a slight negative....
Strong January for NA stocks
Feb 6, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Equity markets consolidate gains at month-end Stocks staged a modest pull back in the finals days of the month but it wasn’t nearly enough to reverse the impressive gains recorded in January. Taking the wind out of the markets sails were mixed economic data out of...
Investors should reduce bond exposure
Jan 30, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Economic developments around the world lead markets higher Further signs of improvement in US, German and Chinese economies offered further support to the current market rally, as did relief on the US debt limit front. In Washington, the Republican-led House agreed to...
Economic data keeps market rolling
Jan 23, 2013 / 5:00 am
Big Picture Economic data keeps market rolling Good news on the US economy kept markets rolling this week despite a downbeat World Bank 2013 growth forecast. The most notable economic release was a US home building report that showed a 12.1% rise in housing starts for the month of...
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These articles are for information purposes only. It is recommended that individuals consult with a financial advisor before acting on any information contained in this article. The opinions stated are not necessarily those of Scotia Capital Inc. or The Bank of Nova Scotia. ScotiaMcLeod is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., Member CIPF.
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