Stocks and bonds closed higher in an eventful third quarter as falling inflation and interest rate cuts outweighed sudden bursts of volatility in early August and September. Investors scrutinized data for any hints of possible recessions in Canada and the U.S. as unemployment crept up but welcomed an accelerating shift by central banks to lower […]
Volatility rose, equities fell sharply, and bonds jumped in the first three trading days of August but markets soon stabilized and stocks regained a positive tone throughout the rest of the month. Here’s a summary of the main events that steered the markets. Monthly market developments Catalysts for the stock market sell off included fears […]
Monthly market developments It was a case of “all’s well that ends well” for investors in July, as despite a mid-month sell-off, stocks rebounded to end the month in the green. Here’s a summary of the main events that steered the markets. Stocks rallied and bond yields fell on the final day of July after […]
Monthly market developments Equity markets dipped in early April but bounced back in May. Investors were hopeful for interest rate cuts to boost markets, supported by lower inflation and a positive economic outlook. In June, the Bank of Canada and the European Central Bank cut interest rates, starting a policy-easing cycle. However, the US held […]
After a tough April, equity markets got back on track in May. Here’s a summary of the main events that steered the markets. Monthly market developments Equities rose and bond yields fell on better U.S. inflation news, clawing back some of the losses from April. Market performance continued to broaden beyond tech to other sectors […]
Investors experienced their first pullback of 2024 in April with US, Canadian and global equities ending the month in the red. Here’s a summary of the main events that steered the markets. Monthly market developments Equities stumbled and bond yields climbed as investors reluctantly accepted that sticky U.S. inflation will delay Fed rate cuts. The […]
Investors had lots to cheer for in the first quarter of this year. Equities posted stellar returns, U.S. corporate earnings were strong, AI continued to excite and there was optimism that Fed rate cuts are getting closer. U.S., Canadian and global equities climbed steadily through January, February and March to end the quarter with a […]
Market Focus Canada’s standard of living continues to decline. Canada’s economic output was soft in 2023. Statistics Canada announced that, on a monthly basis, real gross domestic product (GDP) by industry expanded by 0.2% in November, following “flat” results in each of the previous three months. In addition, in this report the statistics agency provided revisions […]
The good start to 2024 continued for investors in February as equities had another positive month and Q4 2023 earnings season has been strong. Read the February 2024 Market Commentary here. Here’s a summary of the main events that steered the markets. Monthly market developments Despite dipping mid-month on a higher than hoped January U.S. […]
The beginning and the end of 2023 were like night and day for investors. The year started with trepidation after a turbulent 2022, but ended with optimism as inflation eased and equities posted handsome returns. Equities and bonds This was a comeback year as U.S., Canadian and global equities achieved double-digit gains. U.S. stocks in […]
