Rare Earths: Tiny Metals, Massive Impact, Major Contention
Last week [link to oct 17], we talked about trade tensions between China and the US – the world’s two largest economies. One key flashpoint in those talks is rare earth elements. Rare earths might sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but they’re actually critical to everything from your smartphone to fighter jets – and they’re at the centre of the China- US trade debate.
Tag: PYPL
Weekly Update for the week ending September 5, 2025
September Slump: Will This Year Be Different?
September has a bit of a bad reputation on Wall Street. Historically, it’s the weakest month for stocks – a pattern often called the “September Effect.” Unlike other market drops tied to clear events, this is more of a seasonal trend. Some say investors pull back after the summer rally to lock in profits. Others point to mutual funds and big institutions rebalancing portfolios ahead of year-end, which adds selling pressure. Add in traders returning from summer holidays with a cautious outlook, and September has often leaned negative.
History has delivered some painful reminders. In 2008, during the financial crisis, the S&P 500 plunged nearly 9% in a single September. In 2001, the 9/11 attacks triggered a steep selloff. More recently, in 2022, the index slid almost 10% as rising interest rates rattled investors.
So, what could make this September another challenging month?
Weekly Update for the week ending August 1, 2025
Liberation Day, part 2
President Trump kicked off a new wave of tariffs this week, reigniting global trade tensions. The move came just days after progress with the European Union (EU) and Japan had boosted market optimism – but that optimism is now giving way to concern.
The latest action includes a sweeping 35% tariff on Canadian goods not covered by CUSMA, which caught many by surprise. It also targets exports from Brazil, India, and other trading partners, with tariffs ranging from 10% to 25%. These new duties hit a wide range of products, from industrial parts and electronics to everyday consumer goods, raising fears of a broader trade war.
Weekly Update for the week ending February 7, 2025
With tariffs dominating the news the last few weeks, I thought it’d be a good time to talk about how they impact us as consumers and investors.
What Are Tariffs?
Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods, meant to regulate trade and protect domestic industries. In this case, President Trump is using them as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. By making foreign products more expensive, tariffs can push consumers toward locally made goods, but they often come with unintended consequences.
Weekly Update for the week ending January 17, 2025
With the start of another earnings season, I thought it’d be a great time to talk about earnings reports. These reports can seem a bit intimidating, but they’re one of the most important tools for assessing how a company is performing.
Understanding Earnings Reports: What New Investors Should Know
Earnings reports are like a company’s report card, showing how well they’ve performed over a specific period – usually a quarter or a year. They provide key details like revenue, profits, expenses, and earnings per share (EPS), helping investors gauge how a business is doing. For example, steadily growing revenue signals a thriving business, while shrinking profits may raise concerns. Earnings reports also offer management insights about the industry and plans for the future, giving a clearer picture of what’s ahead.
Weekly Update for the week ending September 6, 2024
September has a long-standing reputation for being one of the worst and most turbulent months for the markets, often marked by increased volatility. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “September Effect.” This year appears to be no exception as investors try to gauge the Federal Reserve’s next moves based on the latest economic data. Historically, it has been the worst-performing month for the indexes. In fact, from 1950 to 2023, the S&P 500 (S&P) averaged a decline of about 0.5% in September, making it one of the few months where the index consistently posts negative returns.