In Vancouver yesterday… “Diane Francis, editor-at-large at the Financial Post and the National Post, said she is ‘exceedingly optimistic’ about the future.  She told the audience that U.S. President Barack Obama may be working on a ‘January surprise,’ described as a mortgage-forgiveness scheme that would allow homeowners whose homes are worth less than their mortgages a way to refinance with the government getting some of the money if prices go up, and requiring lenders to take some of the losses.”

Investors Cautiously Optimistic