September Market Insights: Waiting for Godot
Passing the Peak Sagitta of the Inflation and Rate Expectation Arcs in 2022 Download this PDF here. “Let us do something while we have a chance! It is not every day we are needed.” — Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot Investors are waiting for their own Godot – certainty about the future. Like Godot, that […]
Introducing the First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
Download this article as a PDF. On August 9, 2022, the Department of Finance released for public comment the draft legislative proposals outlining the First Home Savings Account (“FHSA”). The FHSA was introduced in the 2022 Federal Budget to address the increasing difficulty Canadians are experiencing in buying a first home due to rising real […]
Maximizing Your RESP: Withdraw Wisely
Download this article as a PDF. A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a Canadian registered investment account that promotes saving to support a beneficiary’s post-secondary education. Anyone – parents, family and friends – can open a RESP as a “subscriber” for the benefit of a child. Invested contributions grow tax free. But when the […]
August Market Insights: The Global Economy has its Hamlet Moment
Rebirth or a Financial Crisis Download this PDF here. “To be or not to be, that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” — Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1, William Shakespeare Words and phrases derive much of their meaning from the context in which they […]
June Market Insights: The Fed, From Tragedy to Rebirth?
Just Follow the Path of the Credit Markets Download this article as a PDF. “Always make the audience suffer as much as possible.” — Alfred Hitchcock Alfred Hitchcock once suggested that drama is life with the dull parts cut out. Given the state of the financial markets, this has never been more relevant than it […]
May Market Insights: A Secret War to Control the Fed?
The Danger of Bowing to Political Pressure Download this article as a PDF. “You are what your record says you are.” — Bill Parcells Author Michael Lewis reminds us of the consequences that can emerge when independent bodies succumb to political pressure. In his latest book, The Premonition, he suggests that the politicization of the […]
April Market Insights: Detonating a Tactical Financial Nuclear Weapon
Sowing the Seeds of a New Financial World Order? Download this article as a PDF. “With proper tactics, nuclear war need not be as destructive as it appears.” – Dr. Henry A. Kissinger The Ukraine/Russia crisis has highlighted a historic moment in the evolution of geopolitical balance. While the humanitarian perspective cannot be overlooked — […]
March Market Insights: Peak Inflation, Saved by Inertia?
Peak Inflation: Saved by Inertia? Download this article as a PDF. “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?” – Simon & Garfunkel Given the continuing calls by market pundits for 50 basis point (bps) inter-meeting rate hikes — even while the Fed balance sheet is still expanding — or seven rate hikes in 2022 — despite slowing […]
Understanding RRSP Contributions, Deductions and Over-Contributions
Download this article as a PDF. A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”) is commonly used to help Canadian individual taxpayers (“Canadians”) save for their retirement. As well, Canadians can access the Home Buyers Plan or Lifelong Learning Plan if they have sufficient contributions in their RRSP and the required conditions are met. The theory behind […]
February Market Insights: Is the Federal Reserve Losing its Independence?
Is the Federal Reserve Losing its Independence? Download this article as a PDF. “Grin and bear it.” – Alan Greenspan to Janet Yellen, 2016. When U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump accused the Federal Reserve of political bias in 2016, then-Chair Janet Yellen was given some advice: “Grin and bear it.” Indeed, there is a demarcation line […]