Richard Coffin
January 11, 2022
Published by Richard Coffin at January 11, 2022
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North American stocks were red-hot in 2021 thanks to a speedy vaccine rollout, stimulus, and high discretionary income, but yields have risen on expectations of rate hikes in 2022. The energy sector led the charge thanks to rising oil prices, although in Canada the performance did not translate into a […]
October 4, 2021
Published by Richard Coffin at October 4, 2021
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Markets in North America maintained their outsized return despite the quarter largely seeing its upwards progress erased by concerns around the downfall of Chinese behemoth Evergrande (see blog post here) and rising rates, although yields were only up marginally for the quarter. Elsewhere returns remained muted. The loonie strengthened on […]
September 27, 2021
Published by Richard Coffin at September 27, 2021
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If you’ve been tuning into any financial news outlets lately, chances are you’ve been hearing the name “Evergrande” floating around as the reason for last week’s market volatility, with many comparing the company’s imminent collapse to that of Lehman Brothers, the American financial institution who’s bankruptcy kicked off the 2008 […]
July 23, 2021
Published by Richard Coffin at July 23, 2021
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With COVID-19 waning, markets are shooting for new heights. While the US and international markets fared well, Canada actually outpaced its neighbour to the South thanks in part to a stark recovery in oil prices. The strong performance has allowed the Loonie to appreciate to levels not seen since 2015. […]
April 15, 2021
Published by Richard Coffin at April 15, 2021
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The lingering COVID-19 pandemic did not prevent markets from reaching new highs in the first quarter. Canada experienced the strongest run up, followed by the US and then international markets. Our Northern advantage is partly thanks to rising oil prices. Generous stimulus packages and the improving economy have some economists […]
January 25, 2021
Published by Richard Coffin at January 25, 2021
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Despite going through a pandemic and a tumultuous US election, the S&P 500 continued upwards to hit new highs while other markets (including our own) ended the year positive. Bond yields fell in Canada and the US while the loonie appreciated amid US inflation fears. Oil, while still meaningfully down […]
October 2, 2020
Published by Richard Coffin at October 2, 2020
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A resurgence of COVID-19 cases is keeping the market on its toes. Stocks remain down year-to-date in most regions, however the S&P500 hit new highs in September, demonstrating a divergence between the economy and the stock market in the States. Bond yields moved up marginally from Q2 but remain low […]
October 2, 2020
Published by Richard Coffin at October 2, 2020
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While COVID-19 continued to stifle business activity, markets recovered some of their losses from the Q1 nose dive. Stocks in Canada, the US and internationally managed to reduce their year-to-date losses to the high-single-digit/low-double-digit range. Policy rates remain close to zero and governments continue to explore further stimulus options. Oil prices […]
July 15, 2024
Published by Richard Coffin at July 15, 2024
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Stocks saw mixed results in the first half, with indices surging in the US on the back of a handful of AI-focused heavy weights while only rising modestly elsewhere. 10-year yields meanwhile rose marginally despite Canada carrying out its first rate cut in June and more expected to come, with […]
April 8, 2024
Published by Richard Coffin at April 8, 2024
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Stocks have had a strong start to the year despite persistent concerns around inflation, which continues to sit above targets. Central bankers maintain that rate cuts are coming, but markets have nonetheless pushed 10-year yields higher as investors reset expectations around the future stimulus, with the uncertainty likewise bring gold […]
July 14, 2023
Published by Richard Coffin at July 14, 2023
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Stocks continued their strong recovery in the second quarter, thanks to a rally in tech (tied to generative AI) and lower inflation rates in Canada and the US. Still, with bond yields roughly flat and central bankers guiding for further hikes, recession fears remain high, something that has dragged down […]
April 4, 2023
Published by Richard Coffin at April 4, 2023
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Stocks saw a hearty rebound in the first quarter, in part thanks to easing inflation and speculation around a potential pausing, if not reversal, of rate hikes in the US (Canada has already paused its contractionary policy). Long-term bond yields in both countries have come down as a result. Recession […]