I am very happy with the nearly 19% gain in Microsoft’s (NASD: MSFT) share price since the start of the year. Normally, that would be a fantastic return for six months. But compared to the performance of another tech giant – Nvidia (NASD: NVDA) – it is modest. Nvidia is experiencing extraordinary times, thanks to […]
Monthly Archives: June 2024
Depositary Receipts: A Guide for Investors
Depository receipts (DRs) are a popular way for investors to gain exposure to foreign companies without dealing with the complexities of international markets. These financial instruments represent shares in a foreign company and trade on domestic stock exchanges, making them accessible to domestic investors.
Here’s how they work: A depository bank purchases shares of a foreign company and holds them in custody. In return, the bank issues depository receipts, which are traded on local exchanges like any other stock. This allows investors to buy shares in international companies through familiar domestic channels.
Weekly Update for the week ending June 21, 2024
Since I have been doing this investing blog, I have often read of various central banks’ target of a 2% rate of inflation. This is the figure that the Bank of Canada, the US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and other central banks often site. It got me to wondering why 2%? Was it arbitrary […]
Weekly Update for the week ending June 14, 2024
Over the last few weeks, I have been writing about common questions people ask when they first start investing. From ‘What is Investing?’ to today’s topic of ‘When should I start investing?’ with a few more questions to come in the next few weeks. While answering these questions, it occurred to me: before people even […]
Weekly Update for the week ending June 7, 2024
This week’s update kicks off with some promising news that could impact your future investments and for borrowers across the board, whether they are individuals with mortgages, personal loans, or businesses with loans. As anticipated, the Bank of Canada trimmed the Canadian benchmark interest rate by 0.25%. While it may seem like a small adjustment, it is a step in the right direction. Additionally, positive developments emerged on the US economic front, indicating a cooling job market, which often signals a slowdown in the US economy. This shift raises the possibility of a rate cut in the US later this fall.
Weekly Update for the week ending May 31, 2024
This past week, as I reviewed my three portfolios, I was surprised by the number of trades I had made in the past few months – a total of 21 across all portfolios. Unfortunately, all but one were on my TD Direct Investing account, costing me almost $200. While not a significant amount in the grand scheme, it is still $200 less available for investment. ☹️