For the past few weeks, I’ve been talking about tariffs – what they are, how they affect consumers, and how they affect the Canadian dollar. But tariffs rarely happen in isolation. When one country imposes them, the other often fires back with its own set of retaliatory tariffs. With this week’s announcement of sweeping US tariffs on imports from almost all trading partners, it’s the perfect time to discuss the next round of the trade war: counter tariffs.
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Weekly Update for the week ending February 21, 2025
Last week, I talked about sector diversification and how it helps reduce risk in your portfolio. This week, I want to build on that by introducing sector rotation – a strategy some investors use to try and stay ahead of market trends. But before we dive in, if you’re new to investing, sector rotation might […]
Weekly Update for the week ending December 20, 2024
It is the final week before Christmas, and the markets kept us on our toes with a flurry of economic data. But rather than dive straight into the numbers, I thought a little Christmas spirit would set the tone for this Weekly Update. So, without further ado, here is an investing spin on the classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’!
Weekly Update for the week ending November 22, 2024
What Falling Interest Rates Mean for Your Portfolio
Last week, we explored how rising interest rates can challenge investors. This week, let us flip the script and talk about something that could actually work in your favour—falling rates. When interest rates drop, it is not just borrowers who feel the relief. If you know where to look, your stock portfolio can benefit too.
Why Do Central Banks Lower Interest Rates?
Central banks, like the Bank of Canada (BoC) or the US Federal Reserve (Fed), lower interest rates to stimulate a sluggish economy. Cheaper borrowing encourages spending and investment, helping businesses expand, creating jobs, and keeping inflation in check. Think of it as their way of giving the economy a boost when growth hits a wall.
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 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.