The world is awash in oil and gas. Lower energy costs are a big plus for the inflation fight allowing for additional rate cuts. That can provide a boost for the global economy and for stock and bond markets on the whole. But those lower oil and gas prices will suppress the the earnings and […]
The best year-to-date for U.S. stocks, in decades. Plus, the Sunday Reads.
U.S. stocks as represented by the S&P 500 have gained over 23% in 2024. That’s the best performance in 24 years. It’s the 13th best start, ever. In 1997, Bill Clinton was President, OJ Simpson was in court, Harry Potter is published, Netflix is founded, Steve Jobs is named the interim CEO of Apple. Yes, […]
What to do with the TC Energy spin-off, on the Sunday Reads.
This week delivered the TC Energy spin-off. The popular Canadian pipeline and energy company split into two parts – natural gas and energy production and the smaller oil pipeline segment. Investors received 0.2 shares for every TC Energy share that they held. What to do with the TC Energy holdings? I’d suggest that if you […]
Boost the spend rate in retirement on the Sunday Reads.
Cut The Crap Investing recently looked at the go-to chart on creating retirement income. The post looked at sustainable spend rates. The 4% “rule” suggests that you can start at a 4.2% spend rate, and then increase spending each year to adjust for inflation. That protects your spending power and lifestyle in retirement. That said, […]
Canadian banks, pipelines, gold and more on the Sunday Reads.
We’re in one of those weird (but good) stages when just about everything is working. Across the board stocks are delivering. Bonds are back, meaning the balanced portfolio is back, and at all-time highs. Gold is also setting new highs. In fact it’s all kind of ‘goldilocksy’ these days. Inflation is behaving as we prepare […]
Big tech stocks take a breather on the Sunday Reads.
Stock market analysts call it the stock market rotation. The market makers (mostly fund managers) are rotating out of expensive high-flying tech stocks and moving to companies and sectors that offer more attractive valuations. That is, buying more current earnings compared to paying up for future earnings. Canadian stocks and value stocks in the U.S […]