July was a month of shifting investor preferences, with the major indexes moving in noticeably different directions. The Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Index (TSX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), with their greater exposure to traditional companies, extended their monthly winning streaks. Meanwhile, the more growth-oriented S&P 500 Index (S&P) and Nasdaq Composite Index (Nasdaq) extended their monthly losing streaks. Just as the markets had a mixed month, so did my three portfolios. And like the major indexes, the portfolios showed how different sector exposure can produce very different results, particularly when technology stocks fall out of favour.
Tag: TTD
Weekly Update for the week ending July 31, 2026
The AI Revolution: Understanding the Technology Behind the Investment Boom?
Artificial intelligence (AI) may seem almost magical, but behind every AI-generated response is a complex learning process. After exploring what AI is in Part 1 of The AI Revolution: Understanding the Technology Behind the Investment Boom, we now look at how AI actually learns.
In Part 2, we explain what training data is, how AI models are created, why building them requires enormous computing power, and the difference between training an AI model and using one. Understanding this process helps explain why companies are investing billions of dollars in the technology and infrastructure behind the AI revolution.
Weekly Update for the week ending April 17, 2026
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.
Weekly Update for the week ending March 27, 2026
When Markets Stop Shrugging It Off
The US/Israel-Iran conflict, which began on February 28, is now about to enter its fifth week as you read this. Despite reports of back-channel peace talks, there are still no clear signs of an end in sight. In my March 6, 2026, Weekly Update, I focused on how a short conflict – what was initially expected – could affect markets. This week, the bigger question is what happens if it lasts longer.
Weekly Update for the week ending March 20, 2026
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.
Weekly Update for the week ending March 6, 2026
Oil Surges, Volatility Returns
In February, artificial intelligence (AI) optimism and anxiety were the main winds that buffeted the markets (and buffet they did 😊). But as the month closed, a very different storm rolled in. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply, shifting investor focus from AI concerns and earnings reports to energy supply and global stability.