Government Spending Needs Better Management
Government spending should constantly evolve to reflect the needs of Canadians, writes Peter Watson. In conversations about government spending, it’s surprising how often I hear the same response. The government spends the way it does because that is the way it always has. You seldom hear that response when you’re talking about a business because […]
Tough Times Ahead for Homeowners
Homeowners face significant financial risks magnified by US tariffs, writes Peter Watson. The immediate financial risk facing many families is their home. For the last half century homeownership was the best investment many families made. Most often house prices appreciated and when they did not that unpleasant time was short-lived. It is no secret that […]
Will stock values plummet if we have a recession?
Understanding how stock markets work and how they have performed during recent sessions can educate investors about the potential stock value outcomes if we have a recession, writes Peter Watson. Will stock values plummet if we have a recession? That is a major question for many investors who worry that the current trade war with […]
Do You Need Financial Therapy?
Talking to someone about how you feel about the current stock market volatility can be beneficial, writes Peter Watson. When the stock markets are volatile investors can get depressed, worried and fearful. Then the dreaded question: What should you do? Should you get out of the market by selling your investments even though they might […]
Investor Behavior Risk Can Be Costly
Investor behavior can be more of a risk than investing in stocks, writes Peter Watson. There are two types of investment risk and the one that is based on investor behavior can often be the costliest. The timing of this article is Influenced by President Donald Trump introducing tariffs that caused significant stock market volatility. […]
Formula for a Winning Investment Strategy
Following a simple investment strategy can lead to financial success, writes Peter Watson. It is very easy for investors to make mistakes when managing their investment portfolio. Many investors attempt to build their portfolio by choosing individual stocks to purchase or hiring a manager that would do that for them. The hope is to outperform […]
More Homeowners Could Face Mortgage Payment Defaults
Homeowners are encouraged to consider the risk of not being able to afford their future mortgage payments, writes Peter Watson. There are troubling signs that more people will be unable to make mortgage payments on their house. During the last quarter of 2024, there were 11,000 mortgage delinquencies in Ontario. That is almost 3 times […]
Federal Government Should Complete Your Tax Return
Our government should complete your tax return for most Canadians, writes Peter Watson. The annual ritual of completing your personal income tax return and submitting it before the end of April for many is a waste of time and effort and money. I would like our federal government to automate this process for most Canadians […]
Why investors should proceed with caution
Investors beware, this year will have many challenges, writes Peter Watson. The year is off to a rocky start. We have many challenges, and it is recommended that investors proceed with caution. President Donald is demanding trading partners, including Canada, pay a costly tariff to sell goods in the United States. Also, he has consistently […]
Understanding stock market returns
As investors, it is important to realize the “highs and lows” of the stock market. What’s interesting is that American stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 index, gained 25% in 2024. That was the first time in several decades there have been two back-to-back years with over 20% return. As an investor who owns […]