September Market Insights By Dr. James Thorne: Through The Looking-Glass
Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass imagined a world in which familiar rules ran in reverse. This problem is now increasingly confronting Wall Street—not only in how it reads monetary policy, but in how it reads the equity market itself.
Beneficiary Designations Matter More Than You Might Think
Beneficiary designations matter more than many people realize. Every so often, we hear about situations where an outdated beneficiary designation overrides instructions in a will; for example, when a registered account names a former spouse, resulting in assets being paid directly to that individual regardless of the current will.
Helping (Grand)Kids Buy a Home: Five Ways to Structure Support
In 2025, 41 percent of first-time homebuyers received down-payment gifts averaging $74,570, highlighting the significant role family members play in helping the next generation enter the housing market.
Market Insights August Video By Dr. James Thorne: This time it is different
In a new world economic order, James Thorne reveals why traditional investing beliefs are being challenged, stating “This time, it is different.” Learn more in his September Market Insights, coming soon.
Oh Canada! Reasons to Embrace Our Nation
Respected economist Paul Krugman recently wrote an article, “What Happens When Americans Realize How Miserable We Are?”
August Market Insights By Dr. James Thorne: Beyond The AI Bottleneck
A leadership transition is already underway, but much of the market remains anchored to the last trade. Investors are still crowded into semiconductors, memory and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure supported by passive flows and a sell-side that continues to extrapolate an era of outsized earnings surprises that has largely run its course.
Our Continuing Dependence on Oil: Will the Energy Landscape Shift?
The conflict with Iran served as an abrupt reminder of energy’s central role in global order. In the spring, the Strait of Hormuz exposed the risks of routing roughly 20 percent of global supply through a single chokepoint. The resulting disruptions not only drove fossil fuel prices sharply higher but also reinforced a consequence that extends well beyond economics: energy security is inseparable from national security.
Challenging the Artificial Intelligence Job Apocalypse
Is artificial intelligence (AI) coming for your job? According to The Economist, one in three people believe AI will cause widespread job losses, while seven out of 10 believe it will make it harder for people to find work.
Are the Bond Markets Sending a Signal?
Many market observers have recently turned their attention to the fixed-income markets, as long-term government bond yields have risen to levels not observed in more than two decades. By the end of May, 10-year and 30-year U.S. Treasury yields had risen to levels last seen before the 2008 crisis. Japan’s long-end bond yields also surged to multi-decade highs. Even in Canada, government bond yields hit multi-year highs.
Stepping Back: The 30,000-Foot Market View
One of the recurring challenges in writing my/ our quarterly commentary is that by the time it reaches publication, arts already feel dated. This feels especially pronounced today as the pace of change appears to be accelerating.