When I got back into investing, one of the most common terms I heard was valuation. I knew what value was – one always wants to get good value for their money, or not overpay for an item. But the term “valuation” seemed a bit different, although I could never quite put my finger on why it felt separate from simply “getting good value for your money.” The difference, I eventually realized, is that in investing, price and value don’t always move together – and that gap between the two is where a lot of opportunity (and risk) tends to show up. This week, I’ll break down what valuation actually means and why it matters when you’re trying to get good value for your money in the stock market.
Tag: csu
Monthly Portfolio Update March 2026
If February was driven by fears around artificial intelligence (AI) spending and disruption, March marked a sharp shift to geopolitics – and the ripple effects that followed. The month started on a positive note but quickly turned lower after the US/Israel strikes on Iran, a development that changed the tone almost overnight.
Weekly Update for the week ending March 13, 2026
If the Conflict Stays Short, These Sectors Could Move Most
Last week [link to Mar 6] I looked at the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran from an investor’s perspective. The situation is still evolving, but one of the key questions for markets is how long the conflict might last. If the fighting remains relatively short – perhaps four to five weeks – history suggests the economic impact would likely be uneven rather than universally negative.
Geopolitical shocks tend to push markets into a brief “risk-off” phase where investors shift away from more cyclical or economically sensitive sectors and toward industries that benefit directly from higher energy prices or global uncertainty. The result is often a temporary reshuffling of winners and losers across sectors rather than a lasting change to the overall economic outlook. This week, I’ll discuss how a four-to-five week conflict could impact three of the key sectors that move the markets in Canada, as well as three that drive the US market.
Weekly Update for the week ending March 6, 2026
Oil Surges, Volatility Returns
In February, artificial intelligence (AI) optimism and anxiety were the main winds that buffeted the markets (and buffet they did 😊). But as the month closed, a very different storm rolled in. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply, shifting investor focus from AI concerns and earnings reports to energy supply and global stability.
Monthly Portfolio Update January 2026
January was a bit of a rollercoaster for markets. Indexes pushed to new highs, pulled back to catch their breath, and climbed again, before fading late in the month but still finishing in positive territory. Volatility (also known as buying opportunities 😊) was the name of the game.
Weekly Update for the week ending January 30, 2026
How Central Banks Set Interest Rates
Interest rates are one of those topics everyone hears about, but few people really understand how they actually work. With both the Bank of Canada (BoC) and the US Federal Reserve (the Fed) recently announcing that they were holding their policy rates steady, it felt like a good time to step back and look at what these rates actually are – and how they’re set.