The problem with using infrastructure to stimulate the economy + MORE Jan 17th

Home-based trading platforms are quickly becoming some of the most popular options for those who wish to accrue wealth and enjoy a greater sense of financial independence. There are several reasons as to why so many astute investors choose this methodology. Let us examine a handful of the most pertinent.
Virtually Eliminating the Middleman
Electronic trading systems electronic trading systems have all but done away with the traditional broker. Therefore, less commissions need to be paid out and more funds can be placed directly back into one’s pocket. Although there are still electronic representatives and while some portals offer the advice of expert “virtual” brokers, fees are much less and they are often included in the overall spread.
Convenience and Flexibility
Unlike a traditional trader, home-based investors are able to mould their working hours around their existing schedules. This is even more of a reality when referring to markets that operate 24 hours a day such as the Forex indices…

NEW YORK, N.Y. – For almost 60 years, millions upon millions of tiny pink packets of Sweet’N Low have flowed from Cumberland Packing in Brooklyn.
But the family-owned company told workers just over a week ago that manufacturing and packing work would stop in Brooklyn over the course of the year and shift entirely to other parts of the country. That would leave only the company’s headquarters in the borough.
It’s the latest chapter in a familiar tale. New York City hasn’t been a manufacturing contender in decades, with global competition and high costs of labour and real estate taking their toll.
Employees said news of the shutdown was a shock. The company said it would try to help workers find new jobs.
The post Sweet’N Low to end Brooklyn production after nearly 60 years appeared first on Canadian Business – Your Source For Business News.

TORONTO – Here are five things to look for in Canadian business this week:
The markets: After one of the most tumultuous weeks on the markets in recent memory, what will this week bring? The Canadian dollar has been on a steep slide and oil continues to drop to levels not seen in more than a decade.
Interest rate announcement: All eyes will be on the Bank of Canada when it announces its trend-setting interest rate on Wednesday. Expectations have mounted in recent days that governor Stephen Poloz will cut the overnight rate by 25 basis points, which would drag it down to 0.25 per cent.
Trans Mountain pipeline hearing: On Tuesday, interveners in the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project will begin presenting oral arguments before the National Energy Board. The hearing is scheduled to last nearly two weeks. The US$5.4-billion proposal to triple capacity from Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C., has stoked much controversy.
Canadian Pacific Railway earnings: Canadian Pacific Railway (TSX:CP) will release its fourth-quarter and year-end results Thursday…

The economy seems under intense pressure at the beginning of 2016. In the first two weeks alone, Canadian stock markets were down over 7 per cent, the dollar fell from over 72 cents to under 69 cents, oil prices fell from about $37/barrel to less than $30. In response, the government is “actively considering” speeding up planned infrastructure and other spending to “stimulate” Canada’s economy today. Some are even calling on the government to do more than speed up such spending, but to increase it—dramatically.
Does this make any sense? In a recent Maclean’s piece, Keven Milligan outlined several important considerations we should take into account before embarking on such a plan. If you haven’t read it yet, you should.
Building on his piece, let’s take a step back and ask some deeper questions. Does government spending boost the economy? If so, by how much? Will it create jobs? If so, how many and at what cost? How can we even know? Recent researchers have made important progress in answering these questions…