MONTREAL, Jan. 25, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) constitutes an excellent savings vehicle. However, according to Laurentian Bank's financial planners, its degree of effectiveness for tax purposes will depend on the choice of product in specific situations.

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Nearly half (48%) of the 1258 CEOs polled worldwide believe the global economy will decline even further in the next 12 months, according to PwC's 15th Annual Global CEO Survey. Just 15% said the global economy will improve during 2012. The outlook was almost identical for the 130 Canadian CEOs who responded to this year's survey, with 48% seeing a decline over the next year and only 13% believing the market will improve.

GREATER TORONTO, Jan. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - More than 28,000 new condominium units were sold in the Greater Toronto Area in 2011, setting a new record for the market's high-rise sector while demonstrating a shift in today's new home purchasing decisions, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) revealed today.

Shelter costs rose 1.8% in the 12 months to December. This followed a 1.5% increase posted in November. The index for electricity went up 5.4%, led by price increases in Alberta. Consumers also paid more for fuel oil and homeowners' replacement costs. Conversely, mortgage interest cost decreased 0.7% year-over-year in December after falling 1.1% the month before.

The outlook for the global economy has deteriorated and uncertainty has increased since the Bank released its October MPR. The sovereign debt crisis in Europe has intensified, conditions in international financial markets have tightened, and risk aversion has risen. The recession in Europe is now expected to be deeper and longer than previously anticipated.