When we first launched our blog more than 7 years ago, web technology was not what it is today. Social Media websites weren’t interwoven into our daily lives or our digital devices. “Checking In”, “Liking” and “Tweeting” were not terms that we immediately associated to actions on a website and much like Social Media, our
The week ending January 20th, was characterized by higher markets around the globe led by strong earnings and increasing investor confidence that the European debt crisis would be contained. The S&P/TSX Composite Index gained 1.4% with eight of ten sectors ending the week with positive returns. The Bank of Canada left its benchmark interest rate
The week ending January 13th, saw generally higher markets around the globe as investors took the S&P downgrade of most Eurozone nations debt in stride. The S&P/TSX Composite Index gained 0.3% with five of ten sectors ending the week with positive returns. Stronger exports of energy and automobiles helped a trade surplus of $1.1billion in
In hindsight, 2011 will be remembered as a turbulent year for financial markets around the globe. Many indices were hitting highs in late February and early March, only to see the gains erased as the year progressed. The world’s attention promptly shifted to Europe, as the ongoing sovereign debt issues escalated into a full scale
The first week of 2012, ending January 6th, saw many major markets in positive territory due to better- than –expected earnings reports and economic data. The S&P/TSX Composite Index gained 2.0% with eight of ten sectors ending the week with positive returns. Statistics Canada reported that the unemployment rate rose in December to 7.5%, from
The week ending December 16th saw major markets around the globe decline, as strains emerged among European Union members over the agreement following their summit to tackle the debt crisis and a possible downgrade of European debt by S&P strengthened. The S&P/TSX Composite Index declined 3.3% with all ten sectors ending the week with negative
The week ending December 9th saw mixed results in equity markets around the globe. Much of the attention centered on the European Union Summit in Brussels and disappointing November economic data in China. The S&P/TSX Composite Index declined 0.3% with six of ten sectors ending the week with negative returns. The Bank of Canada left
The week ending December 2nd saw strong gains in equity markets around the globe. A surprise policy announcement intended to increase liquidity in financial markets, better than expected U.S. employment data and loosening of reserve requirements for Chinese banks helped to fuel the gains. The S&P/TSX Composite Index rallied 5.3% with all sectors gaining for
Join Craig & Taylor Associates on 580 CFRA this Sunday, December 4th at noon for Financial Planning the Right Way, Right Now. Hosts Jennifer Martin, Dean Trudeau, strategic partner Dan Nolan of IPC Securities and special guests will be discussing various themes on financial, estate, tax and retirement planning. Along with our recap of the previous
In the week ending November 25th, 2011, the markets witnessed a heavy sell-off amid growing concerns surrounding the European crisis and poor results in the German bond auction. Even with news in Canada that retail sales were on the increase and Canada’s federal budget deficit narrowed in September by 36% we saw the S&P/TSX retreat