The Merits of Hanging In (& Why April Felt So Bad)
It’s been a wild ride this year – and we’re only halfway through. If April’s market movements felt unsettling, you weren’t mistaken. While volatility is a natural part of equity markets, the magnitude of April’s decline was unusual. A two-day drop of more than 10 percent in the S&P 500, seen over April 3 and […]
The Illusion of Speed
It has been said that “there are decades where nothing seems to happen, and there are weeks where decades happen.” The sweeping global tariffs, announced by the U.S. on April’s “Liberation Day,” caught the world off guard – disrupting long-held norms in global trade and world order. This may signal the beginning of a new […]
Even The Good Years Have Down Times
While many aspects of investing in the equity markets may seem unpredictable, one constant remains: volatility. Just how common are market fluctuations? Even in years when the S&P/TSX Composite Index has performed well, we should expect substantial volatility. Over the past 40 years, despite average annual performance of more than 6 percent, the average intra-year […]
Four Perspectives on the Investment Impact of the U.S. Election
Politics and money are never far apart. Election years frequently bring about questions surrounding changes to public policies, potential regulatory shifts and the ensuing effects on the markets and economy. This year’s U.S. election has been no exception, with investors keeping a close eye on possible changes that could influence industries, sectors and the overall […]
Half Full or Half Empty?
How do you view the glass – half full or half empty? This question aptly captures the dual nature of sentiment today. On one hand, our standard of living is among the highest in history, fuelled by technological advances, improved quality of life, substantial and growing wealth and increased life expectancy. On the other hand, […]
During Uncertain Times: Access to Alternatives
In the current environment of higher valuations, slower growth, and increased volatility, there’s been a renewed attention to alternative investments. Alternatives are often given focus during more challenging times since their performance doesn’t typically correlate with the markets. Alternatives generally refer to investments not available in publicly-traded markets. Most commonly, this includes private equity, infrastructure, […]
Does the Dow Matter? What’s in an Index
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA or Dow) is one of the most widely watched stock market indices and the second oldest in the world. Created in 1986 by Charles Dow, then editor of the Wall Street Journal, it originally comprised 12 companies from traditional heavy industries, such as Chicago Gas and National Lead, giving […]
Dow at One Million?
When the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) crossed a new high of 40,000 in May, it achieved a milestone that appeared implausible given recent popular sentiment. Just two years earlier, central banks were still on the path of aggressively hiking rate to curb inflation. Gloomy equity market forecasts abounded. Fast forward to today, and interest […]
Spring Cleaning Finances: Five Questions to Ask
Now that spring has sprung many of us are in spring cleaning mode, perhaps you are looking for a bit of motivation when it comes to your finances. Here are five wealth planning questions that may be answered by simple “rules of thumb.” These may spark meaningful discussions about wealth management, budgeting, or family and […]
Video: Types of Portfolio
