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Weekly Update for the week ending March 29, 2024

As we headed into March, buoyed by a strong rally, I held high expectations. Known historically as a favorable month for North American stock markets, and with a wealth of positive economic indicators on the horizon, it seemed the stage was set for significant market advancements. Analysts in both Canada and the USA were looking for data indicating robust economies, stable job markets, and decreasing inflation rates going into the month.

Indeed, the March reports did not disappoint. They painted a picture of strong economies and steady job markets across North America, alongside growing investor optimism and diminishing inflation. These developments have heightened investors’ expectations for interest rate cuts by the central banks of Canada and the US come June. Furthermore, with April historically being a strong month for the markets (though it is important to remember that past performance does not guarantee future results), the stage seems perfectly set for a bullish April.

Let us hope the bulls take the lead and run with it. 😊

Weekly Update for the week ending March 15, 2024

Inflation jitters sent US markets south, while the TSX extended its weekly winning streak. Let us take a look at what happened and how it impacted the three portfolios. Plus, we will shift gears and explore the hot topic of hybrid electric vehicles – are they a sound alternative to full on electric vehicles or just a pit stop on the road to full electrification? This week I will take look at their gaining popularity and investment potential in this week’s market update!

So, without further ado, let’s see what happened this past week….

Weekly Update for the week ending March 8, 2024

If you belong to a gym, you’ve likely witnessed the annual surge of enthusiastic newcomers in January, only to see their numbers dwindle by month’s end. Fueled by New Year’s resolutions, these gym newbies arrive with ambitious weight loss and fitness goals. However, many find themselves derailed by a combination of factors, including unrealistic expectations of quick results, gym intimidation, scheduling conflicts, and waning motivation.

Weekly Update for the week ending March 1, 2024

The North American stock markets have had a good run through the first two months of 2024. March has a tough act to follow but the month has a reputation for being a strong month for the North American stock markets, with historical trends showing positive movement more often than not. But remember, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Investor enthusiasm over all things related to artificial intelligence should continue to drive the markets higher. With fourth quarter earnings almost over, investors will now cast their eyes towards the Federal Reserve. Each bit of economic news, as well as speeches from Fed officials, will be dissected in an attempt to determine when the rates could begin to fall. I am sure there will be lots of ups and downs with each bit of news, hopefully a lot more ups than downs. So, buckle up, the rollercoaster is about to leave the platform.

Weekly Update for the week ending February 23, 2024

Nvidia (NASD: NVDA) had itself quite the week. Following an impressive earnings presentation, Nvidia not only surpassed revenue and net income forecasts but also offered future earnings guidance that exceeded analyst predictions. Consequently, Nvidia’s stock surged by 17% in just two days, reaching a new all-time high and increasing its market value by about $277 billion. This was the largest single-session market value gain in history. At one point, Nvidia’s valuation briefly exceeded $2 trillion, before settling just under the $2 trillion mark. This made it the third largest company by market capitalization, surpassing giants like Alphabet (NASD: GOOGL) and Amazon (NASD: AMZN).

Weekly Update for the week ending February 16, 2024

The past six months have been a rollercoaster ride for investors as expectations regarding the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate policy shifted gears. Initially, investors and analysts were talking about the Fed maintaining the rate at 5.5% for a while, only to switch towards discussions of potential rate cuts early in 2024. However, recent inflation […]