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Weekly Update for the week ending January 9, 2026

2026 Says “Hello”
Welcome to 2026 – and to the first Weekly Update of the year. A new year always brings a fresh sense of optimism for us investors, and after the bull market of the past couple of years, the hope is that the bull still has plenty of life in it. As always, there will be noise along the way, but the backdrop heading into 2026 gives investors a few reasons to stay cautiously optimistic.

Weekly Update for the week ending December 12, 2025

From Wild West to Launchpad: The Story of the TSXV
A few weeks ago, I took a look at the history of Canada’s premier stock market – the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) [link to Nov. 28]. Also known as the big board, it’s the top rung on the TSX ladder. I also mentioned its junior counterpart, the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). This week, I thought I’d follow up with a closer look at this often overlooked but essential part of Canada’s market ecosystem. So, without further ado, in the words of Daenerys Stormborn – “Let’s begin.”

Weekly Update for the week ending December 5, 2025

Will Santa Show Up for the Markets This Year?
Typically, September and October are considered two of the softer months for the markets, while November and December are traditionally stronger. This year has been the opposite, with a surprisingly solid September and October. By the end of October, I was feeling optimistic – with two of the more volatile months in the rear-view mirror, a strong finish to the year seemed likely. Unfortunately, that optimism didn’t pan out, as November came in weaker than usual and barely avoided slipping into the red.

Now December is here, and I’m not sure what to expect. December is usually a strong month for stocks, thanks to what’s known as the Santa Claus Rally. But some analysts are suggesting we may not see Santa’s visit this time around, which got me wondering why a month that’s typically upbeat might fall short. So why do analysts think Santa may sit this year out? Let’s take a brief look – but first, what makes December a strong month?

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).

Monthly Portfolio Update October 2025

For the sixth month in a row, all four major North American indexes finished in the green: the Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Index (TSX), the S&P 500 Index (S&P), the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (Nasdaq). The Nasdaq continued to lead the pack, rising more than 4% for the second straight month and marking its seventh monthly gain in a row – its longest stretch since early 2018. The TSX, S&P, and DJIA each posted their sixth straight monthly gain, with the DJIA’s streak being its longest since January 2018, the TSX’s longest since mid-2021, and the S&P’s longest since late 2021.