Markets Mixed In July
If July only had thirty days in it, it would have been a pretty decent month in the global equity markets. Unfortunately, there are 31 days in July, and the last day of the month was not kind to most markets. A wave of selling took hold, driving markets lower, and taking what was looking to be a largely positive month across the board, and turning it into a mixed bag. The S&P/TSX Composite...
Read MoreFirst Half Review – Investors Rewarded with Strong Gains
The first half of the year was profitable, with most investors seeing modest gains. Canadian equities led the way with the S&P/TSX Composite Index gaining nearly 13%, handily outpacing most other developed markets. This was in large part to an impressive rebound in the energy and materials sectors. With Russia reclaiming the Crimean Peninsula from the Ukraine and renewed tensions in Iraq,...
Read MoreEnergy & Gold push Canadian equities higher
After a solid first quarter, April turned out to be a mixed bag for markets with fixed income and Canadian equities largely higher, while global equities were mixed. Mixed economic data combined with modest inflation pressures helped to push bond yields lower in April. The yield on the benchmark Government of Canada ten year bond ended the month at 1.67%, down from 1.71% at the end of March. The...
Read MoreCanadian markets shine on rebound in gold
With political tensions heightened after Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula, gold and other safe haven assets experienced a decent rise in the first quarter of the year. This certainly helped the Canadian equity markets, which saw the S&P/TSX Composite Index rise by more than 6%. Small and mid-caps were even stronger, gaining nearly 8%. Global markets were also largely higher,...
Read MoreMarkets higher in November. Budget deal increases probability of tapering
Global equity markets rallied higher for the third month in a row, with the U.S. leading the way with a broad based rally. The S&P 500 gained more than 3% in U.S. dollar terms on an improving global economy. Factor in a weakening Canadian dollar and the gains were even higher for Canadian investors, with the S&P 500 returning nearly 5% in Canadian dollar terms European markets were also...
Read MoreDespite U.S. government shutdown, global markets rally higher
Historically, October has been one of the most volatile months for equity markets, and this year looked to be no different. The stage was set for a bumpy ride as continuing uncertainty over the prospect of the U.S. Federal Reserve slowing the pace of its bond buying program weighed on investors. Adding fuel to this potential flame was the high stakes game of chicken playing out between the...
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