Ray Kurzweil, computer scientist and futurist, once said, “The past is over; the present is fleeting; we live in the future.” This sentiment echoes through our current moment as we stand on the threshold of an era defined by technological advancement, navigating a myriad of complex challenges and opportunities.

In the investment world, volatility and uncertainty often reign, evoking a sense of unease. Remembering the call for 3000 on the S&P 500 Index in late 2022, the recent correction at 4600 might seem unnerving. Yet, like the hopeful message in Steely Dan’s song Any Major Dude Will Tell You, we should maintain our resilience, knowing that things will eventually fall together again.

In the grand theatre of Canadian economic governance, a clandestine struggle is waging, echoing the dramatic narratives of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, once dismissive of monetary policy, now finds himself locked in a power struggle with the enigmatic Bank of Canada. Amidst dwindling popularity at the polls and persistently high interest rates, the stage is set for a secretive battle for control, with both parties striving to shape the nation’s future.

The adage, “Discretion is the better part of valour,” has never been more pertinent as the U.S. Federal Reserve cautiously navigates between the perils of inflation and deflation. In the world of economic policy, the Federal Reserve finds itself delicately engaged in a balancing act akin to a tightrope walker traversing a starlit sky obscured by clouds. The elusive concept of the “neutral interest rate” remains shrouded in uncertainty, and one could plausibly argue that rate hikes possess an inflationary nature. With continued reliance on outdated economic theories and models, the present quandary should come as no surprise.