Let’s start with the bad news. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has spoken, and it’s official: Royalty levies are going up for most producers of oil and natural gas in Alberta. Read More

It’s taken the Philippines 10 years to get its economy on the right track. Now, though, its public finances are improving rapidly, foreign direct investment is rising, the Philippine peso is strong, and the Philippine diaspora dutifully contributes almost 10 percent of the country’s GDP. Read More

Natural gas prices in the US remain well off their 2005 post-hurricane highs. And gas drilling activity in North America has remained subdued because of weak prices, rising drilling costs and bloated inventories of gas in storage. But this short-term reality obscures the long-term growth to come from the gas market. Read More

What’s with Canada and the word fair, in all its forms? “Tax Fairness Plan.” “Our Fair Share.” Are we looking at another Halloween ruined? Read More

As I've warned for the past few months, the next couple of weeks will be the most important of this quarter. They will determine whether the market ends the year significantly up or down. So this week, I pored over the Fresh Money Buy list and prepped it for the rest of the quarter... Read More

Prime Minister Stephen Harper intends to announce his presence with authority in his Speech from the Throne, which will outline a renewed parliamentary session. Read More

The bull continues to charge ahead. I still expect some kind of correction at some point this month since it would be uncharacteristic for the markets to continue going up with no interruptions... Read More

Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed last week that his minority Conservative government will address issues regarding foreign acquisitions of Canadian assets involving state-owned enterprises but also said the proposed takeover of PrimeWest Energy Trust by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Co, or TAQA, would be reviewed under existing rules, as set out in the Investment Canada Act. Read More

Natural gas lags while oil soars. Some trusts win high-premium takeover bids, while others collapse following sharp dividend cuts. The rising Canadian dollar lifts share prices and dividends, yet pulls the rug out from under some trusts’ businesses. Read More

Vault Energy (VNG.UN, VNGFF) escapes the Canadian Edge Dividend Watch List this month, thanks to a takeover offer from core energy holding Penn West Energy Trust (PWT.UN, NYSE: PWE). The deal calls for each unit of Vault to be exchanged for 0.14 shares of Penn West. Read More