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Economy

Biden heads for Congress clash over how to fix Covid-era economy – National Post

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4 years ago

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“A big stimulus package is likely off the table,” economists Aneta Markowska and Thomas Simons of Jefferies LLC said in a note Wednesday. They forecast a “skinny” aid bill worth about $500 billion, resulting in 2021 economic growth of 4 per cent, compared with 5.5 per cent under a Democratic sweep.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), delivers his victory speech at the Omni Louisville Hotel on November 3, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images

The biggest threat to the recovery, though, isn’t one that Biden can easily control through fiscal policy. It’s containing the virus as U.S. cases climb to new daily highs and countries including France and Germany resume lockdowns.

Biden has said he’s willing to shut down parts of the economy as warranted to stop the spread, which would risk depressing growth. But he also supports more funding to reopen schools safely, which would free up parents for work.

To fund Biden’s proposals, the administration would be adding to the national debt while taking advantage of historically low interest rates. Biden spent decades in government warning about the dangers of budget deficits. But as president he’ll take over one of the biggest in U.S. history, and has signaled he’s in no rush to pare it back.

Biden has proposed raising corporate taxes from 21 per cent to 28 per cent, increasing income taxes for those earning more than $400,000 and taxing capital gains earnings the same as regular income for top earners. A split Congress, though, would create high hurdles to such moves.

The campaign has outlined a $3.5 trillion economic program to fund his key goals:

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Economy

S&P/TSX composite gains almost 100 points, U.S. stock markets also higher

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3 days ago

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September 13, 2024

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TORONTO – Strength in the base metal and technology sectors helped Canada’s main stock index gain almost 100 points on Friday, while U.S. stock markets also climbed higher.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 93.51 points at 23,568.65.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 297.01 points at 41,393.78. The S&P 500 index was up 30.26 points at 5,626.02, while the Nasdaq composite was up 114.30 points at 17,683.98.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.61 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.

The October crude oil contract was down 32 cents at US$68.65 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down five cents at US$2.31 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$30.10 at US$2,610.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents US$4.24 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Economy

Statistics Canada reports wholesale sales higher in July

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3 days ago

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September 13, 2024

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OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.4 per cent to $82.7 billion in July.

The increase came as sales in the miscellaneous subsector gained three per cent to reach $10.5 billion in July, helped by strength in the agriculture supplies industry group, which rose 9.2 per cent.

The food, beverage and tobacco subsector added 1.7 per cent to total $15 billion in July.

The personal and household goods subsector fell 2.5 per cent to $12.1 billion.

In volume terms, overall wholesale sales rose 0.5 per cent in July.

Statistics Canada started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade last year, but is excluding the data from monthly analysis until there is enough historical data.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Economy

S&P/TSX composite up more than 150 points, U.S. stock markets mixed

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4 days ago

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September 12, 2024

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TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in the base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 172.18 points at 23,383.35.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 34.99 points at 40,826.72. The S&P 500 index was up 10.56 points at 5,564.69, while the Nasdaq composite was up 74.84 points at 17,470.37.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.55 cents US compared with 73.59 cents US on Wednesday.

The October crude oil contract was up $2.00 at US$69.31 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up five cents at US$2.32 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$40.00 at US$2,582.40 an ounce and the December copper contract was up six cents at US$4.20 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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