Hawk or Dove? The Fed’s Next Chapter
Jerome Powell’s era at the Federal Reserve has come to an end, and Kevin Warsh now takes over one of the most powerful positions in global finance. With inflation, interest rates, and economic growth all hanging in the balance, investors are now asking the big question: will the Fed’s next chapter be led by a hawk or a dove?
While March ended as one of the toughest months in years, April delivered a strong rebound. All four major indexes recovered sharply, erasing losses and posting one of their best monthly performances since the pandemic rebound in 2020.
How Valuation Is Calculated (In Simple Terms)
Valuation can sound complicated, but at its core it comes down to a simple idea: how much are you paying for what a business produces? This week, I break down two of the most common tools investors use – P/E and P/FCF – and show how they help put a price on a company’s earnings and cash flow.
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.
Stagflation: What It Is and Why Markets Are Paying Attention Right Now
The last few weeks, I’ve been seeing the term “stagflation” pop up more and more to describe the situation Canada – and to a lesser extent the US – may find themselves in over the coming months. At a basic level, inflation is when the overall cost of living rises over time, meaning your money doesn’t go as far as it used to. Most central banks, including the Bank of Canada (BoC) and the Federal Reserve (Fed), aim for around 2% inflation per year, which is considered healthy for a growing economy. A recession, on the other hand, is when economic activity slows down – businesses earn less, hiring weakens, and unemployment begins to rise. But what exactly is stagflation? This week, I thought I’d take a closer look.
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.