4 d. ago US producer prices rise modest 2.6% in May with inflationary pressures still mild

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wholesale prices rose modestly last month from a year earlier, another sign that inflationary pressures remain mild. The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which measures inflation before it its consumers _ rose 2.6% in May 2024. Producer prices rose 0.1% from April to May after dropping […]

Economics

5 d. ago Canada wants people to weigh in on practice of 'algorithmic pricing'

The Competition Bureau is seeking feedback from Canadians when it comes to algorithmic pricing.The agency has published a new paper, Algorithmic Pricing and Competition, from which it seeks public consultation. As the bureau notes, various sectors, including hospitality, concerts and ridesharing, are turning to algorithms to help set prices for products and services.The paper defines algorithmic pricing as "using automated algorithms to set or recommend prices for products or services, often in real time, based on a set of data inputs." It goes on to warn that algorithmic pricing could help and hurt competition, such as by making it easier for consumers to switch companies or limiting consumer choice by consolidating market power.Therefore, the bureau wants those with "experience with algorithmic pricing and its potential impacts on competition" to help provide guidance on how to better respond. Specifically, the bureau says it wants to highlight the following ke...

Other

6 d. ago China Nudges Pig Farmers to Restrain Supply After Prices Slump

China is seeking to control hog numbers and curb pork production, in a bid to support prices of the country’s favorite meat and ease deflationary pressures in the economy.

Economics

9 d. ago Letters, June 8, 2025: ‘Carney’s mandate bad news for Alberta’

Carney’s bad idea Sounds like the premier will be going along with Carney’s offer called decarbonization. Factories required to further refine our clean oil will take years to build, will increase sales prices and lead to production cuts. This is Carney’s mandate to control the amount of extraction, increase production costs, reduce investment and cut […]

Transport

2 w. ago Here's how much 10 key grocery items cost at Loblaws versus other grocers

With Walmart, Loblaws, and Sobeys being some of the most prevalent grocery chains nationwide, we decided to compare their prices.With over 400 locations, Walmart has a massive presence across Canada. Sobeys Inc., on the other hand, owns Sobeys, IGA, FreshCo, Foodland, and other stores, totalling 1,500 locations nationwide. In comparison, Loblaw Companies Ltd., which owns Loblaws, Zehrs, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drugmart, and more, operates over 2,400 stores across the country.Inflation may have cooled at 1.7 per cent in April, according to Statistics Canada, but food continues to get more expensive — an increase of 3.8 per cent compared to last year. To make matters worse, Loblaw CEO Per Bank warned Canadians that prices of tariff-hit products are set to increase.So, how much would a grocery trip for 10 essentials like bread, milk, and eggs cost at Canada's leading grocery chains? Wherever possible, we selected the same brands and their regul...

Economics

2 w. ago Varcoe: As Trump and OPEC come to Alberta, energy markets 'hanging on their words'

The combination of trade action and OPEC production increases have reduced prices for benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude into the low US$60-a-barrel range this spring

Other

2 w. ago Varcoe: As Trump and OPEC leader come to Alberta, energy markets 'hanging on their words'

The combination of trade action and OPEC production increases have reduced prices for benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude into the low US$60-a-barrel range this spring

Politics

2 w. ago Varcoe: Looking for signs – OPEC secretary general to speak in Calgary, days before G7 meeting and Trump's Alberta visit in June

The combination of trade action and OPEC production increases have reduced prices for benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude into the low US$60-a-barrel range this spring

Politics

2 w. ago CIBC reports rise in profit on trading boost, modest borrower concerns

TORONTO — CIBC reported a rise in second-quarter profit from last year as it got a boost from volatility-related trading while loan losses were subdued despite the economic uncertainty. The bank on Thursday reported a second-quarter profit of $2.01 billion, up from $1.75 billion in the same quarter last year. On an adjusted basis, the […]

Other

3 w. ago Canadians can score some dough in $500 million Loblaws bread

Canadian shoppers could soon get a slice of a giant settlement in a bread price-fixing class action lawsuit against Loblaw.The lawsuit alleges that Canadians were overcharged for bread due to an industry-wide price-fixing scandal involving certain packaged bread products. In addition to Loblaw Companies Ltd. and parent company George Weston Ltd., other grocery chains mentioned in the lawsuit include Metro, Sobeys, and Walmart.According to a court document, Judge Ed Morgan approved the $500 million settlement on May 8, calling it fair, reasonable, and "in the best interests" of the class members. Out of the $500 million, George Weston and Loblaw must pay $404,000,000. In 2017, the grocery giant previously paid $96 million to eligible customers under the Loblaw Card program who spent more on bread than they should have between 2001 and 2015.Once legal fees, costs, disbursements, interest, and applicable taxes have been paid to the class counsel, 78 per ce...

Economics

3 w. ago Oil’s Plunge, Trade Wars Drive Drilling Land Sales Down in Western Canada

A boom in sales of drilling rights in western Canada’s oil heartland of Alberta is fading as US President Donald Trump’s trade war and OPEC+ production increases hammer crude prices.

Economics

3 w. ago Benefits and credits you may be eligible for in Canada next month

Benefits and credit payments will be issued by the government of Canada or provincial governments in June through several programs, and you may be eligible for some.Most Canadians are now facing a tough time, with the high cost of living, stagnant wages and experts signalling the alarm about an impending recession.According to Statistics Canada's Consumer Price Index for April, the cost of food increased by 3.8 per cent, and housing increased by 3.4 per cent. On the plus side, the cost of transportation dropped slightly by 1.9 per cent.Loblaw CEO Per Bank warns that Canadian shoppers will likely feel the effects of rising prices as tariff-impacted products hit the shelves. According to the company's April food inflation report, products like coffee, liquid eggs, chicken, beef and nuts are set to become more expensive.Now is a great time to check which benefits you may be eligible for in Canada, or which payments you can expect to ...

Economics