Miscellaneous
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 […]
April 3, 2020
Published by Richard Coffin at April 3, 2020
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COVID-19 hit markets hard in the first quarter of 2020. With countries restricting travel and populations practicing social distancing, markets in Canada, the U.S., and internationally fell by approximately 20 to 25 per cent from their 2019 year-end values. Emergency rate cuts in Canada and the U.S. effectively brought policy […]
March 5, 2020
Published by Richard Coffin at March 5, 2020
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Many are concerned that a new strain of coronavirus that has ravaged China may prompt the recession we have been expecting for so long, spreading globally and forcing factories to shut down, consumers to stay home and businesses to shrink operations. The concern has led to a newsworthy sell off […]
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 […]
January 13, 2023
Published by Richard Coffin at January 13, 2023
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2022 was a brutal year for stocks, thanks to surging inflation and the resulting contractionary policies from central banks. Concerns of a recession have caused the US dollar to appreciate against the Loonie, while oil prices have moderated from their early-year highs, despite the invasion of Ukraine still hampering global […]
April 5, 2022
Published by Richard Coffin at April 5, 2022
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On February 24th, Russia invaded Ukraine, kicking off what’s been deemed the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe since the second World War. Oil, gold, and many other commodities spiked in price as investors anticipated supply chain disruptions, with Russia and Ukraine’s key role in a number of markets. At the […]