COVID-19 Chaos Disconnected from Stock Market Performance
This year has been the most confusing time that many investors have experienced during their lifetime, writes Peter Watson. S&P 500 Index performance in 2020 seems disconnected to the damaging impact COVID-19 has had on the economy. Early in the year COVID-19 spread around the globe, accelerating change in many areas of the world economy. […]
Will the US Election Affect Stock Values?
Fama/French Total US Market Research Index 1929 to 2020 shows the increasing value of US stocks. The political party of the President has not been a significant influence on stock market performance. Will the US election outcome affect the value of your US stocks? This is a question that investors are asking these days as […]
Speech From The Throne: Our Path Forward
The Speech from the Throne outlined the federal government’s plan to deal with COVID-19 and the financial support it intends to offer Canadians, writes Peter Watson. Last week, the Liberals gave Canadians the equivalent of a Business Plan. The Speech from the Throne provided a strategic direction for the government. The main objective is COVID-19 […]
Covid-19 Provides an Opportunity for Fraudsters to Steal
Canadians are trusting, and that makes us easy to steal from, writes Peter Watson. Earlier this year the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued a joint warning about fraudulent investment opportunities related to the coronavirus. Both organizations had heard that some Ontario investors have been offered investment products or services […]
The Toronto Maple Leafs disappointing season teaches us a lesson about diversification
Cheering for just one favourite team is fine. Owning just one investment and hoping for success is dangerous, writes Peter Watson. Our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs just taught us a lesson about diversification. Since the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967, fans have been hoping for another triumphant hockey season. The […]
Lessons Learned from COVID-19 can Help Your Personal Finances
There is a strong similarity from the lessons learned from COVID-19 and how best to manage your finances, writes Peter Watson. Since March, we have consistently heard the same theme. Understand the illness and use that knowledge to protect yourself and others from getting sick. Knowledge with the pandemic often comes from medical science. And […]
Uncertainty and Risk Ahead Despite Recovering Economy
Consumer spending critical to country’s overall well-being, but it could hurt many Canadians in the long run, writes Peter Watson. June numbers indicate the Canadian economy may be recovering. Continued consumer spending is critical, but will the spending hurt the financial well-being of Canadians? Our COVID-19 weak economy got some good news. Retail sales rebounded […]
Stock markets can be mind boggling
Logic would suggest that there is a correlation between economic prosperity and positive outcomes for stocks, writes Peter Watson. COVID-19 economic doom and gloom persist, yet stock market values are rising at a record pace. Why did this happen? As it turns out, sometimes the stock market does not behave with how you anticipate. We […]
Financial Planning will be taught in elementary schools
Ontario’s overhaul of math teaching will include financial literacy, writes Peter Watson. Young children will start learning financial planning at school. This is an excellent life skill and, in my opinion, an educational upgrade. One of the foundations an individual carries through life is a strong education. Reports over the years show a correlation to […]
Stock Market COVID-19 Volatility
Stock market volatility as measured by the S&P 500 demonstrates the fears and uncertainty of these troubled times, writes Peter Watson. Welcome to the roller coaster world of investing. The stock market volatility has been extreme and set new records. The emotional stress on some investors can be significant. Many will have bailed on their […]