5 from 5i: How Economists See Market Drivers

It was a big week for US bank earnings, and markets showed concerns over President Donald Trump’s ability to push through his pro-growth policies, following a setback to the healthcare bill. Bank of America (BAC), the second-largest U.S. bank by assets, beat quarterly earnings expectations but experienced a slowdown in trading revenue and trimmed its expectations for growth in net interest income. Goldman Sachs (GS) dipped after also beating earnings expectations but posted a 40% drop in bond trading revenue. Telecom company Rogers Communications (RCI.B) reported a greater-than-expected 35% jump in second-quarter profit, as a gain in wireless subscribers offset declines in its cable TV business. Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, as it earned more from higher shipments of commodities, but executives were cautious on grains for the second half of the year. Here are stories we found interesting this week:

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5 from 5i: 30 Pearls of Wisdom

The big news this week was of course that the Bank of Canada raised interest rates for the first time in seven years. The bank raised its overnight lending rate to 0.75% from 0.5% Wednesday. Couche-Tard (ATD.B) capped its fiscal year with a strong fourth quarter as its Canadian operations got a boost from the full impact of its acquisition of Esso convenience stores. Home Capital Group (HCG) has chosen Yousry Bissada, a 57-year-old executive who is well known in the mortgage industry, as its CEO. Manulife Financial (MFC) shares spiked in afternoon trading yesterday after The Wall Street Journal reported the lifeco is exploring an initial public offering or spinoff of its John Hancock unit. Aphria (APH) reported Q4 and full year 2017 financial results that beat analyst expectations. Here's five stories we found interesting this week: