Read, Listen & Watch

Has anyone ever seen a sequel that was better than the original? Let’s take a closer look at this yearend “blockbuster”. With former President Donald Trump’s recent re-election, the U.S. faces new economic priorities that could impact financial markets, everyday expenses, and long-term investments.

To our valued clients, we are trying something a little different this month. We have offered our market update in two formats – video or editorial. Please review both options below and let us know which one you prefer using

It’s my pleasure to share some exciting news with you and congratulate Gold Seal Financial Group for being recognized as one of Wealth Professional Canada’s 5-Star Advisory Teams of 2024!

We’re excited to announce that Gold Seal Financial Group has been honored as a 2024 5-Star Advisory Team by Wealth Professional Canada!

This recognition reflects our unwavering dedication to you, our clients, and our commitment to providing exceptional financial advice and personalized service. We’re incredibly grateful for the trust you place in us every day.

The 5-Star Advisory Teams list celebrates the best in the industry, and it’s truly an honor to be included. This award is not just about us—it’s about our client’s success, the unparalleled support of Wellington-Altus, and the shared journey toward achieving our client’s financial goals.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an essential part of our Gold Seal family. We’re excited to keep working together to create a bright financial future!

Exclusive Investment Opportunity with Overbay Capital Partners 2024 Fund
We are thrilled to share an exciting opportunity with you! For the next two weeks, Gold Seal Financial Group is teaming up with Overbay Capital Partners to raise capital for their 2024 Fund. This fund is a fantastic chance to dive into mature, diversified private equity investments at significant discounts to their net asset value (NAV). Overbay Capital Partners, known for their expertise in the secondary market, has built a strategy designed to seize market inefficiencies and deliver impressive, risk-adjusted returns.

Barstools and Backdrops – Growth Themes Defy Traditional Gravity
What movie won Best Picture at the Oscar’s in 1994? You’re not realistically expected to know offhand, and I’ve reflected recently that I may be in the final demographic of Advisors that remembers a time when this once-asked barstool trivia question simply ended with an “agree to disagree” outcome. Where today the resolution to our spirited evening debate would be solved by a quick consult with “The Google”, my Motorola flip-phone of the era and its numbered keypad were of no use in providing assistance with my query that evening. Instead, we’d all go home, do our independent dial-up research, and return to ridicule each other for lack of trivia knowledge at a later date.

Spring Cleaning your home? What about your finances?

Now that spring has sprung and many of us are in spring cleaning mode, don’t forget to declutter your finances! This is a great time of year to check in and eliminate any unused or unnecessary expenses.

Do you have any of the following?
Unread magazine subscriptions
Unwatched streaming services
Unused gym memberships
Forgotten app subscriptions
Outdated software subscriptions
Services that do not match your financial goals
Products that no longer align with your lifestyle needs
Forgotten automatically billed services
Overlapping or redundant accounts or services

Tax Season Reminders and Key Dates!
It’s tax season and the Gold Seal Financial Group is busy putting our clients’ tax packages together. Some of you have directed us to send documents directly to your accountants, which we will do once all slips have been generated. For those clients that like to get a head-start on their taxes, here are some important dates to remember and how-to’s:

Tax Season Reminders and Key Dates!
It’s tax season and the Gold Seal Financial Group is busy putting our clients’ tax packages together.  Some of you have directed us to send documents directly to your accountants, which we will do once all slips have been generated. For those clients that like to get a head-start on their taxes, here are some important dates to remember and how-to’s:

TFSA & RRSP REMINDER

TAX-FREE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (TFSAs):
• Annual contribution limit for 2024 is $7,000, and the cumulative total as of 2024 is $95,000.
• Investment income generated within a TFSA is not taxable.
• No deadline for contributions.

REGISTERED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS (RRSPs):
• Check your Notice of Assessment from CRA to find out your contribution limit.
• Contribution limit is equal to 18% of earned income in the previous year minus an individual’s pension adjustment, up to an annual limit.
• Maximum contribution for 2024 is $31,560, assuming no prior year carry-forward room exists.
• Deadline for contributions is February 29, 2024.

It was the best of times, it was the… absolute, all-time, best of times! As the U.S. market (S&P 500) cruised past its previous highs, posting a close of 4,927.93 and +23% 1-year gain to January 29, 2024, it became difficult for investors to recall that 2023 was supposed to be a recession year for North America. All year long, markets had remained cautiously fixated on the U.S. Federal Reserve as it continued hiking interest rates in an effort to cool inflation, in typical late-business cycle fashion. The longest serving Chairman, William McChesney Martin Jr., had once mused that it was the role of the Federal reserve to act as the chaperone who has ordered the punch bowl removed just when the party was really warming up. That is to say that it’s their job to hike rates and encourage saving, rather than spending, to reign in an economy running hot before inflation takes off.

The Santa Claus Rally

T’was the night before the strategy meeting, when all through the floor
The portfolios were shining, but Gold Seal wanted more;

The yields were printing from the bond desk with care,
With hopes that some rate cuts soon would be there;

Both Powell and Macklem were snug in their beds;
Dreaming rosy speeches for each of their Feds;