Guiding you along your financial journey
Volatility subsided in October from the high levels seen in August and September and many stock markets went on to post their best month in over 4 years. Canadians went to the polls and selected the first new federal government in almost 10 years, the financial implications of which won’t be felt until sometime next year.
September was another rough month for the markets. August’s volatility continued, Volkswagen dropped a bombshell and the US Federal Reserve once again declined to raise interest rates.
August is typically a quiet month for the markets, with many traders taking time off. If any negative news comes out then markets tend to drop quickly. For most of August, markets looked like typical summer markets, until out of nowhere, the Chinese government devalued their currency and Chinese stocks started dropping. This sent waves of panic around the world […]
For most of July investors continued to focus on Greece and turned their attention to China as Chinese stocks continued to correct from what is looking more and more like a bubble. The Bank of Canada cut interest rates by 0.25% for the second time this year, while the US Federal Reserve talked up the possibility of an interest rate […]
Investors around the world were rattled by the continuing saga in Greece, sending stock and bond markets lower around the world. Yields on short-term bonds dropped below zero briefly in the US as investors rushed to safety. Earlier in the month investors focused on economic data which was largely positive.
Equity markets outside Canada continued to perform well as economic data showed strength. Outside of high yield, bond markets were generally weak as economic and interest rate concerns weighed on investors.
Financial markets had a relatively solid month with no major surprises either positive or negative. Earnings and economic data provided little reason for investors to sell. Europe, despite Greece, continues to show signs of strength and is one of the best performing areas in the world so far in 2015.
An overview of March Market Performance, including a March Economic Indicator recap. All index returns are Total Return (includes reinvestment of dividends) and are in Canadian Dollars unless noted.