National Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Royal Bank of Canada and Toronto-Dominion Bank may end the longest dividend freeze by Canada’s biggest banks in more than a decade by announcing payout increases as early as December.

The biggest obstacle to BHP Billiton Ltd.’s $40 billion bid for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. may be BHP’s own shareholders which favour expansion and buybacks.

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bill Doyle said BHP Billiton Ltd. is unlikely to be the only bidder for the world’s biggest fertilizer producer as others are interested.

Gold rose to near a record in London as investors sought to protect wealth from lower equities and on concern the economic recovery is stalling. Silver gained to close to the highest level since March 2008.

United States

Construction crews are returning to the Cascades of Groveland, a gated 55-and-older community west of Orlando, Florida, almost three years after its bankrupt developer left owners of the existing 238 houses surrounded by empty lots, partially built homes, and an unfinished clubhouse.

For the first time on record, initial public offerings on the Nasdaq Stock Market are lagging behind U.S.  equities after more than doubling the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index’s return every year in the past decade.  China overtook of the U.S. to lead a quarterly index of the most attractive countries for renewable energy projects for the first time, according to the global accounting firm Ernst & Young, which compiles the list.

Europe

Industrial production in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, rose less than economists forecast in July, suggesting the recovery is losing momentum.  Most European stocks declined as banks retreated amid renewed concern the region’s sovereign-debt crisis may force lenders to raise more capital. U.S. index futures and Asian shares fell.

Asia

Asian stocks fell for a second day, led by Japanese equities, as the yen’s advance to a 15-year high versus the dollar threatened corporate earnings in the world’s third-largest economy. Gold traded near a record high.  Japanese machinery orders rose for a second month in July as overseas demand encouraged investment by companies.

China’s attempts to cool the real-estate market may be faltering as sales surge, prompting speculation the government may issue more tightening measures.