A year ago, few investors wanted anything to do with the coal markets. Inventories of coal at US utilities were tight at the end of 2005, but a warm winter in 2005-06 changed all that: Inventories ballooned, and coal prices plummeted. Read More

Preliminary economic numbers in China indicate that private consumption was the biggest contributor to China’s GDP for 2007. This confirms the idea that domestic demand is gradually becoming more important to the Chinese economy. Read More

Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan appears to be receding as a potential election catalyst after Stephane Dion, leader of the official opposition Liberal Party, said his party would support Canada staying in Central Asia for two years longer than scheduled but not in a combat role. Read More

Slumping natural gas prices, restrictions on new capital resulting from prospective 2011 taxation, the spiking Canadian dollar and finally the US economic slowdown: Trusts that survived and thrived during those stress tests last year are literally ready for anything 2008 can throw at them. Read More

With the possibility of higher natural gas prices, many energy picks in the Portfolio are set to rise. I'm also adding a few new recommendations this month. Read More

Canada is better positioned against a recession than many economies, as noted by its banks. But it still faces three big challenges: US trade dependency, the value of the Canadian dollar and the credit crunch. Read More

This month's High Yielders are Ag Growth Income Fund and Trinidad Energy Services Income Trust. Read More

A few trusts are coming off the watch list this month, several will soon be issuing tax information, some have risen in ratings, and all will be holding conference calls in the next two months. Read More

Natural gas prices are showing signs of breaking out of nearly two-year trading range. The question is whether the recent price rise is sustainable. Read More

The current earnings reporting season is critical in the sense that the numbers are always important. But also, in light of the current instability in the global economy, what’s reported now will have a significant impact on investor sentiment. Guidance for future operations is the primary factor I’m focusing on. Read More