2026 Says “Hello”
Welcome to 2026 – and to the first Weekly Update of the year. A new year always brings a fresh sense of optimism for us investors, and after the bull market of the past couple of years, the hope is that the bull still has plenty of life in it. As always, there will be noise along the way, but the backdrop heading into 2026 gives investors a few reasons to stay cautiously optimistic.
Author Archives: 1investor
Monthly Portfolio Update December 2025
Monthly Portfolio Update December 2025
The markets weren’t quite as strong as I’d hoped as December. The more traditional, value oriented Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Index (TSX) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) both extended their monthly winning streaks. For the TSX it was the longest monthly winning streak since 2014, and it was the longest streak since 2017 for the DJIA, impressive runs when you step back.
December’s market action largely came down to two forces: where interest rates are headed and where investors chose to take profits after a very strong year for big technology companies once again.
Weekly Update for the week ending December 19, 2025
Merry Christmas!
This marks the final Weekly Update of 2025 – and somehow, another year has flown by while markets did what they do best: surprise, frustrate, and occasionally reward us patient investors. 😊 I’ll be taking a short break over the holidays, but the Weekly Update will be back in early January to kick off 2026.
Weekly Update for the week ending December 12, 2025
From Wild West to Launchpad: The Story of the TSXV
A few weeks ago, I took a look at the history of Canada’s premier stock market – the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) [link to Nov. 28]. Also known as the big board, it’s the top rung on the TSX ladder. I also mentioned its junior counterpart, the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). This week, I thought I’d follow up with a closer look at this often overlooked but essential part of Canada’s market ecosystem. So, without further ado, in the words of Daenerys Stormborn – “Let’s begin.”
Weekly Update for the week ending December 5, 2025
Will Santa Show Up for the Markets This Year?
Typically, September and October are considered two of the softer months for the markets, while November and December are traditionally stronger. This year has been the opposite, with a surprisingly solid September and October. By the end of October, I was feeling optimistic – with two of the more volatile months in the rear-view mirror, a strong finish to the year seemed likely. Unfortunately, that optimism didn’t pan out, as November came in weaker than usual and barely avoided slipping into the red.
Now December is here, and I’m not sure what to expect. December is usually a strong month for stocks, thanks to what’s known as the Santa Claus Rally. But some analysts are suggesting we may not see Santa’s visit this time around, which got me wondering why a month that’s typically upbeat might fall short. So why do analysts think Santa may sit this year out? Let’s take a brief look – but first, what makes December a strong month?
Monthly Portfolio Update November 2025
Monthly Portfolio Update November 2025
November didn’t feel like a typically strong month for the markets, even though most major indexes still finished in the green. After such a strong run over the past six months — including a stronger than expected September and October — I had expected that momentum to carry right into year-end. Instead of the strong month I’d been expecting, the markets were quite volatile in November, a month that normally gives investors a smoother ride.