Oil prices soar after 11 non OPEC countries agree to cut back output + MORE Dec 12th

TORONTO — Oil prices have soared following a weekend agreement to cut back production by 11 non-OPEC countries.
January crude oil contracts were at US$53.63 per barrel as North American stock markets opened up $2.13 from late Friday. Earlier, they traded as high as US$54.51 a barrel a level that hasn’t been seen since the middle of last year.
The Canadian dollar was at 76.14 cents US, up 0.27 of a U.S. cent from Friday. The loonie hasn’t closed above 76 cents US since mid-October, according to Bank of Canada records.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 59.80 points at 15,372.00 shortly after North American markets opened.
In New York, the Dow industrial average was up 36.06 points at 19,792.91 and the S&P 500 was up 0.10 point at 2,259.63. The Nasdaq composite index was down 22.28 points at 5,422.22.
January natural gas contracts were down 21 cents at US$3.54 per mmBtu. February gold contracts were up $1.10 at US$1,163.00 and March copper contracts were down one cent at US$2…

A home’s curb appeal can make or break a possible sale, but not all landscape and outdoor projects are worth investing in. “Steer clear of renovation projects that appeal to a small number of buyers, as this could substantially lower the resale value of your home,” says Pervan. For instance, an in-ground swimming pool might be an attractive feature for some, but many home buyers see it as a hassle, at best, or even a possible money-pit. Instead, focus on updating the exterior rather than adding expensive features.
The projects you choose can also vary dramatically when it comes to a return on your investment. For instance, adding a deck can provide a 75% return, while a patio offers only a 30% to 60% return.
Roof
The roof is arguably the most important component of your home. So spending $11,000 to re-shingle a 1,600-square foot roof every two or three decades is acceptable. Which is why Kevin Barwin was very unhappy when he had to replace his Ottawa home’s roof after just 12 years…

Shares of Lockheed Martin fell as president-elect Donald Trump tweeted that making F-35 fighter planes is too costly and that he will cut “billions” in costs for military purchases.

The Canadian firm was co-founded by Dr. Bengio, serial AI entrepreneurs Jean Francois Gagne and Nicolas Chapados, and venture capital firm Real Ventures

(Photo by Kristin Sjaarda)
Want a shockingly inexpensive way to update your home and earn a 66% return on the investment? Swap out dated living room decor. New light switches, outlet covers, floor registers, drapes and accessories—at an average cost of less than $1,500, according to HGTV—really helps in a remodel. Remember: Details add dollars when it comes to upgrades.
Flooring
Nothing says dated more than a home without hardwood. But is it worth it to upgrade your floors? According to data collected by USA Today, 54% of home buyers would pay more for a home if it had hardwood. It’s easy to clean and maintain, adds warmth to any room and can be refinished multiple times, which increases the overall life and value of the flooring. But not all hardwood is created equal. High-end planks offer hand-scraped or rare-wood species, but this can really push your budget up. Consider, instead, more common selections, such as red oak. Unfinished starts at $1.40/sq. ft. at lumber or flooring stores, while finished starts at $3…