With the US implementing tariffs on Canada and Mexico this past week – and Canada immediately retaliating, while Mexico held off implementing tariffs for now (as of the time of this post) – I wanted to dig deeper into how tariffs actually work. Beyond just driving up prices, tariffs play a significant role in trade and investing. So, what exactly are tariffs? Let’s take a look.
Tag: ccl
Weekly Update for the week ending October 4, 2024
October: A Month of Market Mayhem or Opportunities?
September may be notorious for its volatility, but October is when the real drama unfolds in the markets. October has witnessed some of the stock market’s most jaw-dropping crashes, earning its reputation for volatility. One of the earliest examples was the Panic of 1907, which peaked in October, wiping out about 50% of the market’s value due to a banking crisis sparked by failed speculation. Then there’s Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, a date forever linked to the crash that ushered in the Great Depression. Preceded by Black Thursday (October 24) and Black Monday (October 28), this period erased massive wealth and sent shockwaves across the global economy. Fast forward to October 19, 1987—Black Monday—when the Dow Jones nosedived 22.6% in a single day, the largest one-day percentage drop in US history. Fueled by program trading, overvalued stocks, and low liquidity, this crash triggered investor panic.
However, October is also known for remarkable recoveries. After the 1987 crash, the markets began to recover within months, regaining most losses by year-end. Similarly, October 2002 signaled the bottom of the bear market that followed the dot-com bubble burst, paving the way for a bull run that lasted until October 2007, during which the S&P 500 more than doubled, driven by economic recovery, low interest rates, and strong corporate earnings. While October is notorious for downturns, it also marks key turning points toward recovery.
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 August 2, 2024
This past week, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) announced that it would keep the benchmark interest rate at 5.5%, a move that was widely expected. However, the Fed also hinted at the possibility of a rate cut in September, as inflation cools and the labour market shows signs of slowing. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) unanimously agreed to maintain the federal funds rate in the 5.25% to 5.5% range, where it has been for the past year.
Weekly Update for the week ending June 28, 2024
I am very happy with the nearly 19% gain in Microsoft’s (NASD: MSFT) share price since the start of the year. Normally, that would be a fantastic return for six months. But compared to the performance of another tech giant – Nvidia (NASD: NVDA) – it is modest. Nvidia is experiencing extraordinary times, thanks to […]
Weekly Update for the week ending May 3, 2024
This past week, the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) convened to set monetary policy, most notably the US benchmark interest rate. These decisions have a profound influence on investors in both Canada and the United States. Generally, lower interest rates can lead to higher stock prices and a calmer market environment, and happier investors 😊. Conversely, higher rates can introduce volatility and encourage a shift towards more conservative investments.
Beyond investor sentiment, the FOMC’s decisions on the US benchmark interest rate can significantly influence the actions of the Bank of Canada (BoC) with regards to Canada’s interest rate. The relationship between these rates is critical because a substantial difference can have several repercussions on the Canadian economy.
…..