Trade Tensions Flare, Again
Since President Trump returned to office in January, his administration has been trying to reshape global trade in America’s favour. One of his earliest targets was China, the world’s second largest economy, trailing only the US. Since both sides have recently began ratcheting up the trade tension again, with new tariffs, export controls, and tit-for-tat sanctions making headlines, I thought it would be a good time to review the situation and what it could mean for investors everywhere – including here in Canada.
Tag: tgh
Weekly Update for the week ending October 10, 2025
Will October be Trick or Treat for Investors?
After an unusually strong September, we’re stepping into the witching month – a time with a well-earned reputation for market drama. October has long carried a spooky aura on Wall Street, and for good reason. It’s seen some of the biggest market crashes in history. The Great Crash of 1929 kicked off the Great Depression after years of speculation and margin buying came undone, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) tumbling nearly 90% from its peak and taking 25 years to fully recover. In 1987, “Black Monday” struck when computer-driven trading and panic selling triggered a record one-day drop of 22.6%, though markets managed to rebound within two years. It remains one of the worst single-day declines in Canadian market history. And in 2008, the collapse of the American housing market and the global credit freeze sent the S&P 500 (S&P) plunging 57% and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) dropped about 16%, with a full recovery taking about four years.
Yet despite those infamous moments, October isn’t the market villain it’s often made out to be.
Weekly Update for the week ending October 3, 2025
A Government Shutdown Doesn’t Mean a Market Meltdown
This past week, funding for the US government expired at midnight on September 30. With Republicans and Democrats dug in, no deal was reached to pass a temporary spending bill and avert a shutdown. As a result, the government was suspended for the 15th time since 1981, halting scientific research, financial oversight, environmental cleanup, and a wide range of other services. About 750,000 federal workers were ordered to stay home, while others – including the armed forces and Border Patrol agents – continued working without pay (they’ll be paid retroactively once operations resume). A shutdown usually doesn’t send markets into free fall, but it does tend to stir up volatility on both sides of the border. So, let’s take a look at what a US government shutdown actually is and what it means for us investors.
Weekly Update for the week ending September 19, 2025
Decisions, Decisions
This week, all eyes were on the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of Canada (BoC) as both central banks faced the same question: should they finally ease up on high interest rates? With inflation cooling, jobless claims ticking higher, and consumers growing cautious, markets were betting heavily on cuts – and both banks delivered. For the Fed, it was the first cut since December 2024, while the BoC hadn’t lowered its benchmark rate since March 2025.
What Happens When Central Banks Cut Rates?
When central banks cut rates, it’s like turning down the interest on your credit card or mortgage – borrowing gets cheaper, and spending gets easier. But depending on whether it’s the BoC, the Fed, or both, the ripple effects for us investors can look a little different.