The year 2021 was the first full year of the pandemic. Most of us continue to be surprised that a pandemic turned out to be the best thing that could happen to stock markets. Of course, the stock market rally has been fueled by record amounts of fiscal stimulus (government support) and low interest rates. […]
Asset returns for stocks and bonds in 2021.
2021 was an incredible year for investors. The S&P 500 rose 27% in 2021, hitting 70 all-time highs in the interim. That’s the most new records for the benchmark index since the 77 it set in 1954. For the first time in its history, all of the sectors in the S&P 500 also posted double-digit gains.. That […]
Looking back at 2021 on the Sunday Reads.
Happy New Year! I hope that 2021 was a good year for you and yours; as much as could be expected given that it was the first full year of the first modern day pandemic. That said we certainly made gains in 2021 thanks to the miracle of vaccines. We moved closer to the other […]
Will we see the Santa Claus rally on the Sunday Reads?
Merry Christmas and happy holidays. I hope most of you were able to enjoy some wonderful family time. Many of us had to cancel plans at the last minute due to COVID cases or close contact with those who have tested positive. That Omicron variant is everywhere and is more than prolific. More on OMI […]
It’s portfolio checkup time on the Sunday Reads.
Next week, the Sunday Reads will fall on boxing day. And for the record, I will not be rushing through the doors (throwing elbows) trying to get my hands on the 3 large screen TVs selling at 80% off! at Best Buy. Yes, the year is drawing to a close. As the first full year […]
What is the cost of your Canadian home bias?
Investors around the globe are known to invest ‘too much’ of their portfolio in their home country. It is called a home bias. Canadian investors are guilty of that home bias. Many estimates suggest that Canadians hold about 60% of their portfolio assets in Canada. Meanwhile Canadian stock markets only represent about 3% of the […]