Making sense of the markets this week: December 10, 2023.

The article discusses various topics related to the financial markets. It begins by mentioning that the Bank of Canada has decided to keep the key interest rate at 5%, citing concerns about inflation and the economy's weakness. The article also highlights the earnings reports of small Canadian banks, with Laurentian Bank experiencing a tough year and Equitable Bank continuing to grow. Additionally, the article mentions the positive performance of stock markets in November, with the S&P 500 and the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index both showing significant gains. Lastly, the article criticizes financial guru Dave Ramsey for his advice on withdrawal rates in retirement, emphasizing the importance of verifying financial claims. [Extracted from the article]