If you’ve felt the sting at the gas pump lately, you’re not alone. Since the US/Israel–Iran conflict began, oil prices have shot up and continue to climb. Brent crude oil is over 50% higher, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) nearly 70%. But the impact goes beyond filling up your vehicle, pushing up transportation costs and, in turn, the price of goods on store shelves – in other words, inflation. In this week’s update, let’s look at the differences between Brent and WTI oil (what are they anyway?), where does Canadian oil fit in, and why are these rising prices rippling through the economy.
Tag: hps.a
Weekly Update for the week ending February 6, 2026
AI Turns From Tailwind to Disruptive Headwind
This past week, markets came under pressure as investor sentiment around software companies shifted sharply. While higher interest rates and stretched valuations had already been weighing on the sector, what really rattled investors was a growing belief that parts of the software and professional services industry may be facing real disruption, not just a temporary slowdown.
Monthly Portfolio Update November 2025
Monthly Portfolio Update November 2025
November didn’t feel like a typically strong month for the markets, even though most major indexes still finished in the green. After such a strong run over the past six months — including a stronger than expected September and October — I had expected that momentum to carry right into year-end. Instead of the strong month I’d been expecting, the markets were quite volatile in November, a month that normally gives investors a smoother ride.
Weekly Update for the week ending November 28, 2025
The TSX: From Trading Club to Major Market
A few weeks ago, while writing the weekly portfolio update, I came across a stock I assumed was on the Toronto Stock Exchange, only to discover it was actually on the TSX Venture Exchange. Then I saw another company I thought was a Venture listing but was actually on the main TSX. That mix-up sent me down a rabbit hole about how the Exchange works and its history. I found the story surprisingly interesting, and this week I thought I’d share some of that history behind Canada’s largest stock market – the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
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 November 7, 2025
The Budget Is Here – Now What for Long-Term Investors?
This week, the Canadian government released its latest federal budget – essentially Ottawa’s financial game plan for the year ahead. Budgets can feel like giant spreadsheets, but at their core they show what the government wants to prioritize and where the money is going. This one focuses on boosting affordability (especially housing), supporting economic growth, and continuing to invest in clean energy and infrastructure. In the words of Daenerys Targaryen, “Let’s begin.” 😊