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Category Archives: Commentary

The AI Revolution: Understanding the Technology Behind the Investment Boom

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If you’ve been following the stock market over the past couple of years, you’ve probably noticed that artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the hottest topics in investing.

Nearly every earnings call now mentions AI. Technology companies such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Alphabet (the parent of Google) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) are spending hundreds of billions of dollars building AI infrastructure, while businesses across almost every industry are looking for ways to incorporate AI into their products and services. Yet despite all the attention, many people still aren’t sure what AI actually is or why it has become so important.

That investment involves far more than the AI software most of us interact with. It spans chips, memory, networking equipment, data centres, electricity, cloud computing, and the software and applications that turn AI into something businesses and consumers can use.

Before we can understand why companies are investing so heavily in AI, it helps to first understand what AI is – and what it isn’t.

A Brief History of the North American Stock Exchanges

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As I mentioned in my November 28, 2025 Weekly Update [link to Nov 28 update], I recently came across a stock I assumed was listed on Canada’s largest and most senior stock market, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE), only to discover it was actually trading on its junior counterpart, the TSX Venture Exchange. That small mix-up sent me down a rabbit hole into how Canada’s exchanges are structured and how they came to be.

The Magnificent Seven

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The Magnificent Seven: Powerhouses Driving Innovation and Market Growth The Magnificent Seven isn’t just a legendary Western movie anymore—it’s also the nickname for the seven technology giants shaping the future and dominating stock markets. These companies aren’t just industry leaders; they’re innovators, disruptors, and the driving forces behind some of the biggest trends in artificial […]

The Power of Dividends

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The Power of Dividends

The markets kicked off the week of January 27–31 on shaky ground, with the Nasdaq sliding more than 3% on Monday. As I’ve said before, markets don’t like surprises—and Monday morning delivered a big one. A Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company announced that its AI assistant could match the performance of major American AI bots while using a fraction of the resources—cheaper chips and smaller data sets. This sent shockwaves through the market, raising doubts about whether the massive spending on AI by heavyweight tech companies will generate the returns many are banking on. AI-driven stocks took a hit, dragging the broader market down with them.

With volatility back in the spotlight, now is a great time to talk about a strategy that can help weather these ups and downs: dividend investing. While stock prices fluctuate, dividends provide a steady stream of income—helping investors stay grounded when markets get choppy.

ChatGPT: The Rise of AI

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We are not in the era of Skynet – the rogue AI from The Terminator movies – just yet, but Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from science fiction to everyday life, and tools like ChatGPT have become the poster child of this transformation. Launched just two years ago, ChatGPT isn’t just a tech innovation – it’s a prime example of how AI is reshaping the way we communicate, work, and even invest. For investors keen on spotting trends, understanding ChatGPT’s rise and its impact on industries offers valuable insights into how AI is driving change and creating new opportunities. But first, let’s start with the basics: what exactly is a chatbot?

Depositary Receipts: A Guide for Investors

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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.