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.
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Weekly Update for the week ending November 14, 2025
The US Government Reopens – What It Means for Investors
The US government had been shut down since October 1 and finally re-opened on November 13. In my October 1 Weekly Update, [link to oct 1] I talked about what caused the shutdown and what the likely impacts might be from an investing perspective. Now that it’s over, it’s a good time to look at what ended the standoff — and what it means for us as investors.
Weekly Update for the week ending December 6, 2024
December is here, bringing hope that this historically strong month for stocks will close out the year on a high note. 2024 has already seen indexes setting and breaking record highs, leaving investors eager for a festive flourish to finish the year. Historically, December has earned its reputation as a strong performer, thanks in part to the “Santa Claus rally.” This phenomenon often lifts markets during the last week of December and the first few trading days of January. While the rally is not guaranteed, several factors help explain why December tends to shine.
Weekly Update for the week ending November 29, 2024
How Global Events Affect Your Portfolio: A Beginner’s Guide
If you are new to investing, you might assume your portfolio – especially if it is packed with Canadian or American stocks—is safely tucked away from global drama. But the truth is, events like geopolitical tensions or economic slowdowns often send ripples through the markets, and your investments can feel the effects. Let us take a look into how these international factors influence your portfolio and how you can navigate them.
Weekly Update for the week ending June 7, 2024
This week’s update kicks off with some promising news that could impact your future investments and for borrowers across the board, whether they are individuals with mortgages, personal loans, or businesses with loans. As anticipated, the Bank of Canada trimmed the Canadian benchmark interest rate by 0.25%. While it may seem like a small adjustment, it is a step in the right direction. Additionally, positive developments emerged on the US economic front, indicating a cooling job market, which often signals a slowdown in the US economy. This shift raises the possibility of a rate cut in the US later this fall.
Weekly Update for the week ending January 26, 2024
While the rally that started 2023, and the year end rally got plenty of news, the start of 2024 has quietly rallied. Year to date, the three American indexes have climbed into positive territory for 2024 after an uneven start to the year. So far, the technology driven Nasdaq has already surged 4.7%, the S&P […]