S&P/TSX composite index closed up 8.44 points on Wednesday
Economists had expected an increase of 2.1%
S&P/TSX closes up nearly 1%
Investors await signals from the Federal Reserve on expected rate cuts
Deputy governor Lawrence Schembri made the comments in Edmonton
The program covers 5% of a mortgage for an existing home or 10% for a new home
Financials got a lift from a positive housing report on Friday
The national average price is forecast to edge down 0.6% to around $485,000 this year
Two tankers were attacked on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman
Debt and income grew at similar rates