investments

If you've been paying attention to business related news over the last few months, you've likely heard a lot about Interest Rates and the potential of a Rate Cut. On July 31st, we officially got news that the Federal Reserve was reducing rates by 0.25% in the United States. There was mixed reactions to this move with some wanting a larger cut but many in the know questioning why a cut was necessary at all. The US Economy has remained strong and while Global Growth has slowed down, a lot of top financial experts figured that the Federal Reserve could hold steady.

Although the economies of Canada and the United States have been chugging along nicely (with Canada at or near full capacity according to the Bank of Canada), we struggled through an awful 31 days last month on the market. It was one of the worst Octobers since the Financial Crisis of 2008. While companies are still very profitable, many aren't enjoying the stress of tariffs and trade wars. Further to this, both the Bank of Canada and the Federal Reserve have hiked Interest Rates. This puts pressure on companies and depreciates the price of bonds.

When asked if they had any regrets, Baby Boomers wished they had started investing and saving at a much earlier age. Hindsight being 20/20, the Boomer generation can pass on some much needed advice and guidance to their kids and grandkids. It is normal for younger people to focus on earning money to accommodate their lifestyle but few have the foresight to pay themselves first. It is easy for younger generations to imagine their whole life ahead of them and have the attitude that of course I'll be financially set when I'm ready to retire'.

Our previous article looked at the increase in market volatility in 2018 in historical terms to put it in perspective. The other factor to consider is where are we in the market cycle and what this might mean for you personally in terms of your own long-term financial strategy.

Many market commentators suggest that we are past the half-way mark as far as the longevity of this equity market run since mid-2009. If history is any guide, there is very likely more time left before the next recession or bear market (defined as a 20% or more correction in the equity markets).

There are many different types of global economic risks that financial advisors take into account when preparing a financial action plan for their clients. This is where advice and judgment come into play when working with you as a client. One area that is gaining increasing prominence is the role of the United States and its dollar in international affairs.

The penny finally dropped a couple of months ago during a client conversation about the risk of investing in the equity markets. The client was reluctant to commit money to the investment markets and gave me several reasons - "the markets were too high and ready to crash", "there were safer alternatives", "I never fully recovered my money from the 2008 Credit Crisis" - to justify his point of view.

On November 8, 2016, Americans will elect the 45th President of the United States. Many Canadians have been vehement and passionate observers of every twist and turn of the campaign. Yet, once you strip away the nasty name calling and accusations of one kind or another by both candidates, you are left with their policy pronouncements.

The one area that impacts Canada and the rest of the world directly is that of economic policy, which has very little that separates the two candidates except for some subtle and nuanced differences.