Clearly, there’s a consolidation of sorts underway in the global agribusiness sector. Reports circulated last week of a possible takeover of Canada’s largest grain handler, Viterra Inc. (TSX: VT, Friday’s close $16.21) by a consortium consisting of Agrium Inc. (TSX: AGU, $85.22), closely-held Canadian grain handler...
“Coal” is a four letter word long demonized by the environmental lobby as the ultimate villain in pollution-creating carbon-based fuel. Even so, coal continues to be abundant, relatively cheap and a much needed source of energy for a world trying to reduce its dependence on oil. Power grids in emerging Asia, especially...
We’ve been a friend to the financial sector since last November when we looked at bullish positions in the Canadian financial services sector. Turns out that was very near the bottom of the market for the iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financial Services Index Fund (TSX: XFN). Since then, XFN has advanced 16%. We also suggested...
In Canada, the phrase “double double” is instantly associated with donut-and-coffee chain Tim Hortons Inc. (TSX: THI, Frodays Close $52.81). The chain, whose ubiquitous stores, counters, and outlets seem to be on every corner, just reported fourth-quarter results, with net income of $0.65 per share. That was down...
The natural gas market is suffering from an embarrassment of riches. Everywhere you look, everyone’s got gas, and plenty of it. Production has increased, storage tanks are bulging (US gas storage is 13% higher than last year), and with a warmer-than-usual North American winter winding to a close, supplies could reach a record...
Thomson Reuters Corp. (TSX: TRI, Friday’s close $26.66) is the giant global data and information company that was once headquartered in Canada, and now resides in New York. It’s known in the financial services business for its dedicated Eikon data terminals, which supply all manner of real-time market data and research to...
Commodities, especially metals, hit a soft patch late in 2011. The concern among analysts was weak demand coming from the emerging markets… specifically China. But sentiment is beginning to change. All because China, the world’s largest commodity gobbler, seems headed for a “soft” landing rather than the “hard” fall...
Low interest rates, rising inflation, and a lower US dollar combined to lift the price of gold for the fourth straight week. With the Fed openly talking about another round of quantitative easing the interest in gold as a hedge and as a speculation jumped right along with its price. Gold ended the week at US$1,738 per ounce, up...
An option strategy that works well for those want to take advantage of time value is calendar or time spreads. It is also a good strategy in a low volatility environment. With the MX Volatility Index at 15.35% and well below its 200-day moving average there is a good argument in support of the position that volatility is low....
We allude to fertilizer, of course, something that hasn’t been much in the news lately, given all the fuss and bother about European (and other) debt problems overhanging the global financial system. But people must eat, and animals must be fed. It just so happens that supplies of one staple grain crop are tight at the...