After everything that’s gone down in the markets over the past couple of weeks – wild swings, big headlines, and whispers of manipulation – I figured it was a good time to talk about something that doesn’t come up often enough: how the stock market can be manipulated, and what that actually means for us investors.
Tag: amzn
Weekly Update for the week ending April 11, 2025
The sell-off at the start of the week wiped out the past 12 months of gains, with stocks edging closer to bear market territory. Since the previous Thursday, US markets saw their steepest three-day decline since 1987 – and before that, not since World War II. Meanwhile, Canada’s TSX Composite Index (TSX) experienced its sharpest drop since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, though, the damage was self-inflicted—and, frankly, far from fun. ☹
Monthly Portfolio Update February 2025
Monthly Market and Portfolio Review February was a rollercoaster for North American markets, with early gains wiped out by a sharp drop at month’s end, as shown in the chart below. The biggest market mover was renewed tariff threats on Canada, Mexico, and China. While investors initially reacted with uncertainty, many began tuning out the […]
Weekly Update for the week ending February 28, 2025
10 Common Investing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them!) Investing is a great way to build wealth, but mistakes can cost you. Trust me – I’ve made plenty. ☹ Whether you’re just starting out or have been at it for a while, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to […]
Weekly Update for the week ending February 7, 2025
With tariffs dominating the news the last few weeks, I thought it’d be a good time to talk about how they impact us as consumers and investors.
What Are Tariffs?
Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods, meant to regulate trade and protect domestic industries. In this case, President Trump is using them as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. By making foreign products more expensive, tariffs can push consumers toward locally made goods, but they often come with unintended consequences.
Weekly Update for the week ending January 24, 2025
Dividend Fallacy
When a friend told me they were choosing stocks based on dividend yields, it got me thinking—how many of us have fallen into this same trap? High dividend yields can feel like a golden ticket, but are they always as good as they seem? Let’s look at two common pitfalls: the “dividend fallacy” and the “dividend trap.”