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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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Weekly Update for the week ending March 29, 2024

As we headed into March, buoyed by a strong rally, I held high expectations. Known historically as a favorable month for North American stock markets, and with a wealth of positive economic indicators on the horizon, it seemed the stage was set for significant market advancements. Analysts in both Canada and the USA were looking for data indicating robust economies, stable job markets, and decreasing inflation rates going into the month.

Indeed, the March reports did not disappoint. They painted a picture of strong economies and steady job markets across North America, alongside growing investor optimism and diminishing inflation. These developments have heightened investors’ expectations for interest rate cuts by the central banks of Canada and the US come June. Furthermore, with April historically being a strong month for the markets (though it is important to remember that past performance does not guarantee future results), the stage seems perfectly set for a bullish April.

Let us hope the bulls take the lead and run with it. 😊

Weekly Update for the week ending February 23, 2024

Nvidia (NASD: NVDA) had itself quite the week. Following an impressive earnings presentation, Nvidia not only surpassed revenue and net income forecasts but also offered future earnings guidance that exceeded analyst predictions. Consequently, Nvidia’s stock surged by 17% in just two days, reaching a new all-time high and increasing its market value by about $277 billion. This was the largest single-session market value gain in history. At one point, Nvidia’s valuation briefly exceeded $2 trillion, before settling just under the $2 trillion mark. This made it the third largest company by market capitalization, surpassing giants like Alphabet (NASD: GOOGL) and Amazon (NASD: AMZN).

Weekly Update for the week ending February 16, 2024

The past six months have been a rollercoaster ride for investors as expectations regarding the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate policy shifted gears. Initially, investors and analysts were talking about the Fed maintaining the rate at 5.5% for a while, only to switch towards discussions of potential rate cuts early in 2024. However, recent inflation […]

Weekly Update for the week ending February 9, 2024

This past week, with a lull in economic news, corporate earnings captured the spotlight – and they certainly delivered. Fueling investor optimism further were the revised US Consumer Price Index numbers for December, indicating lower inflation than initially reported. This shift has led investors to speculate about the potential for the Federal Reserve to lower […]

Weekly Update for the week ending January 12, 2024

The markets kicked off 2024 with a stumble the previous week but recovered nicely this past week. While December often sees a surge due to year-end bonuses and holiday spirit (the “Santa Claus rally”), January can bring a return to normalcy with potential pullbacks. This week’s rebound shows the market’s inherent fluctuations, emphasizing the importance of a long-term perspective for investors.

Investing can be like planting an acorn – through careful selection, nurturing, and patience our portfolios will grow big and resilient. Remember, investing is a long-term game, and focusing on quality companies can help you reach your financial goals, even with the occasional dip along the way.