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Weekly Update for the week ending May 31, 2024

This past week, as I reviewed my three portfolios, I was surprised by the number of trades I had made in the past few months – a total of 21 across all portfolios. Unfortunately, all but one were on my TD Direct Investing account, costing me almost $200. While not a significant amount in the grand scheme, it is still $200 less available for investment. ā˜¹ļø

Weekly Update for the week ending May 24, 2024

In a week marked by light economic news, Nvidia (NASD: NVDA) dominated the headlines. Investors were eager to see if Nvidia could meet sky-high expectations and whether the artificial intelligence (AI) fueled rally would keep rolling. Nvidia not only met but surpassed expectations, reaffirming its dominance in the AI market. The company delivered an exceptional […]

Weekly Update for the week ending May 17, 2024

With inflation stubbornly high, hopes for lower borrowing costs are fading. After three consecutive months of higher-than-expected inflation, you might be wondering: when will interest rates drop? Despite many anticipating a quicker resolution, the Federal Reserve (Fed) has opted to maintain a steady interest rate of 5.5%, waiting for clear signs that inflation is indeed […]

Weekly Update for the week ending May 10, 2024

Part of my investment philosophy is to let winners run rather than selling early to lock in gains. This approach has been beneficial with stocks like Nvidia (NASD: NVDA) and Shopify (TSE: SHOP). However, I reduced my holdings in each after they came to represent over 40% of Portfolio 1 and Portfolio 3, respectively, to manage increased volatility.

On the flip side, this strategy has sometimes resulted in missed opportunities for greater profits, as was the case with Illumin Holdings (TSE: ILLM). After surging from C$2.00 to C$32.00 per share in less than a year, it plummeted to C$1.64. Although I made a profit, I could have made more had I sold earlier. ☹

While I generally prefer to let winners run and even expand my investments in them, I recognize there are times when it is wise to sell part of a stake, especially in smaller, more volatile companies.

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.

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Weekly Update for the week ending April 19, 2024

April has not been the easiest month for us investors. We have seen losses across the board, with each week bringing its own set of challenges. The first week the markets dipped following strong US labour data, suggesting the economy might be too warm, which could deter the US Federal Reserve (Fed) from lowering interest rates. In the second week, higher-than-expected inflation data further soured the mood, heightening concerns about persistent high prices. This past week, comments from various Fed officials have added to market jitters. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that the current 5.5% interest rate could stay in place “as long as needed” to manage inflation, a stance echoed by other officials who see no rush to cut rates.

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