December is here, bringing hope that this historically strong month for stocks will close out the year on a high note. 2024 has already seen indexes setting and breaking record highs, leaving investors eager for a festive flourish to finish the year. Historically, December has earned its reputation as a strong performer, thanks in part to the “Santa Claus rally.” This phenomenon often lifts markets during the last week of December and the first few trading days of January. While the rally is not guaranteed, several factors help explain why December tends to shine.
Tag: aapl
Weekly Update for the week ending November 1, 2024
November has a reputation for being a standout month for the stock market, and the numbers back it up. Over the past 30 years, the S&P 500 has posted gains in 23 Novembers, with a solid median return of 2.8%. But when it is an election year, there is always a little more drama. While pre-election uncertainty can cause some bumps, markets tend to rally once the results are in and stability returns.
This year is no different: we are not only dealing with a closely contested election, but also a key Federal Reserve (Fed) decision on US interest rates. On top of that, November kicks off the “best three months” for stocks—alongside December and January—adding to its seasonal strength.
Weekly Update for the week ending October 25, 2024
The Power of Dollar-Cost Averaging: A Beginner’s Best Friend
When markets get unpredictable, it is easy to feel unsure about when to invest. Should you wait for prices to drop further, or jump in now? One simple strategy that can remove some of the guesswork is Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA).
Weekly Update for the week ending September 20, 2024
Connecting the Dots II: US Economic Data and Fed Policy
Last week, I talked about how Canadian economic reports connect [link to sept. 13] and impact Bank of Canada (BoC) decisions, which in turn affect investors. This week, I will dive into the American economic reports, exploring how the US Federal Reserve (Fed) uses data to shape interest rates, and what that means for us Canadian investors.
Weekly Update for the week ending September 6, 2024
September has a long-standing reputation for being one of the worst and most turbulent months for the markets, often marked by increased volatility. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “September Effect.” This year appears to be no exception as investors try to gauge the Federal Reserve’s next moves based on the latest economic data. Historically, it has been the worst-performing month for the indexes. In fact, from 1950 to 2023, the S&P 500 (S&P) averaged a decline of about 0.5% in September, making it one of the few months where the index consistently posts negative returns.
Weekly Update for the week ending August 30, 2024
Since 2019, Nvidia’s (NASD: NVDA) share price has soared 3,476%, thanks to its pivotal role in supplying the heart of artificial intelligence (AI). Few companies wield as much market influence as Nvidia, and anticipation was sky-high leading up to its earnings release. Investors were on edge, eager to see whether Nvidia would meet or surpass expectations.