A lot has changed…

Technology has made the world smaller. Things move fast and things change even faster. The news, views, and concerns of the world make it to our screens in the matter of seconds. When it comes to wealth management and investing, it can be hard to keep perspective.

July 23, 2018

RESULTS at a glance

Stocks have regained some of their lost ground since the correction in February, with Canada and the U.S. seeing low, but positive, market returns year-to-date. Yields were up in both countries thanks to rate hikes, and oil continued its upward momentum. Deteriorating trade relations have, however, led to a weaker […]
June 19, 2018

Tariffs and Trade War – What They Mean for Us

Threat of a “trade war” has made the headlines lately. It started with President Trump’s tariffs on China, aimed at pressuring that country to allow more American investment and discourage further abuses of intellectual property. Now it’s hit us. Steel and aluminum tariffs, from which Canada was initially exempt, are […]
May 17, 2018

Enterprising Investor – Keep It Simple: 11 Rules for Equity Valuations

Enterprising Investor – Keep It Simple: 11 Rules for Equity Valuations The job of investing can feel larger than life at times. Every day, new companies, rules, and securities emerge adding layers of complexity to an already saturated system. Look no further than cryptocurrencies as an example of how financial […]
May 8, 2018

Derek Dedman among 2018 Forty Under 40 recipients!

WDS wishes to congratulate Derek, as well as every notable 2018 winner. You are all stand-outs as Ottawa’s next generation of leaders. Every great achievement is done slowly through a series of little steps. No one hands you a road map with directions, especially for a self-made person like Derek. His […]
April 6, 2018

RESULTS at a glance

It’s been a rough start to 2018. Stocks fell in the first quarter in Canada and the U.S., while both countries’ long-term bond yields increased. The Canadian dollar took a hit, falling 2.4% as NAFTA negotiations with Mexico and the U.S. continue. Oil prices saw strong appreciation. Gold ended the […]
February 26, 2018

Attention To Detail – February 2018

GuruFocus – How Warren Buffett Acts in a Flash Crash Just recently, we saw what is technically defined as a “correction”; the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped just over 10% between January 26th and February 8th. While it can be nerve racking to watch your stocks slump, times like these […]
January 25, 2018

RESULTS at a glance – 2017 Year End

After a sub-par start, Canadian equities played quick catch-up.  U.S. stocks had robust returns, though lowered substantially by the loonie’s surge.  Short-term interest rates are rising, in Canada and the U.S.  Oil broke out of its slump ending higher than analysts’ forecasts.  Gold experienced redemption in 2017, too.  Read more […]
November 20, 2017

Attention to Detail – November Edition

A Checklist for Trusting Management (GuruFocus). Great companies come in different shapes and sizes, with varying strengths and capabilities, but something that stands out as an absolute must across all sectors and industries is a responsible and proactive management team. The actions of those at the top will determine whether […]
November 22, 2019

Deflating the Index Fund Bubble Argument

Back in September, Bloomberg released an interview with hedge fund manager Michael Burry (link). Burry is famous for predicting the housing market bubble of 2008; he is even depicted by Christian Bale in “The Big Short” film, based on the book by Michael Lewis. In this interview, however, Burry expressed […]
October 7, 2019

RESULTS at a glance – 3Q19

Trends from the first half of the year continued into the third quarter of 2019. Canadian and U.S. markets sustained their turbulent upward trajectory while 10-year government yields continued to sink, with the Federal Reserve cutting rates twice since the end of July. With the Bank of Canada holding steady […]
August 19, 2019

Attention to Detail – August 2019

Strategic Value Investing: Industry Analysis (GuruFocus) In the world of active management, investors can be easily infatuated by the qualities of a company. A business with healthy margins, high historical growth rates, and a solid balance sheet may stand out as an attractive buy. But as this month’s article points […]
June 14, 2019

The Buyback – Why You Shouldn’t Shut Down Non-Dividend Stocks

“Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.” That’s a quote from John D. Rockefeller, the first U.S. billionaire in history, and while investors today (hopefully) have other joys in life, many within the value investment community share Rockefeller’s love for […]