Juggling Dynamite

Danielle was a guest with Jim Goddard on Talk Digital Network, talking about recent developments in the world economy and markets.  You can listen to an audio clip of the segment here.

National Geographic’s new ten part documentary ‘One Strange Rock’ is now playing on Netflix. Directed by Darren Aronofsky and hosted by Will Smith, this series is captivating, educational and mind-blowing.  It’s valuable big picture perspective; well worth the time investment.  Here is a direct video link.

Canada is attracting international attention for our garish household debt levels.  Not a good thing to be famous for! What a difference a decade of lax lending and low rates makes.  In 2008, we were one of the countries that looked relatively prudent in our finances.  That was then.  See:  Canadians are Feeling the Debt Burn.

Meanwhile inverted yield curves squeeze the bread and butter spread of banks and other lenders who rely on borrowing short at lower rates and lending long at higher.  This means they tend to make fewer loans (and fewer profits) and refinancing is harder for homewowners to find even as mortgage rates move lower.   Not surprisingly, trustees in bankruptcy have entered a boom phase.

Canadians are increasingly feeling the pinch from rising rates, with insolvencies back on the rise. For more on how consumers can avoid falling into dire straits, BNN Bloomberg spoke with Scott Terrio, manager of consumer insolvency at Hoyes, Michalos and Associates. Here is a direct video link.