Economic News

Western provinces push wholesale sales higher

Sales increase 0.9 per cent to $49.2-billion in October, Statscan reports (read more)

Labour shortage looms in Newfoundland and Labrador

With a slew of megaprojects under way or on the horizon, the shortage of skilled tradespeople may put the brakes on an expanding economy (read more)

Why the euro zone crisis still has legs

After a brief rest in the fall, the relentless debt story is picking up speed again (read more)

Comprehensive euro-zone deal ‘beyond reach:’ Fitch

Agency puts Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Ireland and Cyprus on negative watch (read more)

Brazil President sees room to lower rates

With growth pegged at 5% next year, Dilma Rousseff says country has the economic tools to weather a global slowdown (read more)

Russia gains entry to WTO

Move follows 18 years of talks, expected to help reduce country’s dependence on energy exports (read more)

U.S. consumer prices flat in November

Americans paid less for cars and gasoline, while the 12-month inflation reading falls for second straight month (read more)

Moody’s warns Ontario its credit rating is at risk

Credit rating agency’s move shows the government must be ‘relentless’ in meeting its targets to eliminate the deficit, Finance Minister says (read more)

Fitch downgrades seven global banks

Ratings agency cites ‘policy momentum’ against using taxpayer money to support banks amid crisis (read more)

P&G and Pringles: The sloppiness behind a crisp deal

Consumer giant missed warning signs in deal to buy brand from Diamond, now under SEC probe (read more)

Ratings rage: Bank of France chief fires back

Any downgrade of Europe’s big nations should start with the U.K., not France, says Christian Noyer. He’s on to something (read more)