Crawford • Ashwood Financial

Over the past few weeks, the latest trade tensions between Canada and the United States have been a frequent topic of conversation and top of mind for many investors. The headlines can certainly sound alarming, especially when words like “tariffs” and “trade war” start appearing in the news again. The reality is that while the situation deserves attention, it is important to separate the headlines from the actual impact. Recently, the U.S. introduced new tariffs on certain Canadian goods, and Canada responded with its own retaliatory measures. While the announced tariff rates are significant, the products affected represent a relatively…

Recent escalation between the United States and Iran has led to some short-term market volatility, largely driven by uncertainty and rising oil prices tied to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. While the headlines feel significant, this type of market reaction is very typical. In past events such as the Gulf War, 9/11, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, markets have gone through a period of short term volatility before settling as more clarity emerges. We have already seen some very strong rally days mixed in with the volatility. To make sure you benefit from those positive days, staying invested is…

In today’s challenging times marked by geopolitical tensions and fluctuating market conditions, I’d like to emphasize the importance of staying the course and not reacting impulsively to short-term news. The current uncertainties surrounding tariffs and trade wars can provoke anxiety but remember that patience and discipline are essential for long-term investment success. For many of my clients who rely on regular income from their portfolios, maintaining a “cash wedge” or “income wedge” can be a practical strategy. In short, this approach sets aside a portion of assets in cash and/or GICs to secure an individual’s income needs for a period…

As the landscape of investing continues to evolve with external factors like tariffs and political fluctuations, understanding the role of active management in mutual funds becomes top of mind. Active portfolio management not only aims to preserve capital but also to capitalize on opportunities across various market conditions. The Benefits of Active Management Active management offers the advantage of adaptability, allowing fund managers to make informed decisions based on their insights into market trends, including during uncertain political times. Their strategic approach is particularly valuable in adjusting investments in response to shifting economic policies and geopolitical developments. Here are some…

Well, he’s done it again. Personal feelings about the outcome aside, today’s blog post will objectively examine the business implications of the win and the opportunities it presents. Political events can often stir strong emotions, but as an advisor, my role is to help clients focus on the tangible impacts these results can have on the economy and investment landscape. Post-Election Market Rally: What It Means for Investors As Canada and the world continue to react to Donald Trump’s recent election win, the stock markets have witnessed an upswing. For many, this moment offers a vital opportunity to analyze the…

We’d like to share some comments on the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election—and the continuing effects of the current pandemic. It is so easy to get stirred up by the media that focuses only on the current and short-term view (which let’s face it has been rather dismal lately), and totally miss the long view. Calmer heads are looking past these short-term uncertainties however, and they are seeing opportunities for positive change in a variety of ways. We don’t profess to be experts in U.S. politics, so we won’t be calling the election here. The fact is anything could happen on…

I think that we are all feeling various levels of unease at present; from slightly off kilter to all-out anxiety. Watching the numbers of new infections of COVID-19 every day certainly doesn’t help, nor do the wild swings in markets help calm us. We are living in a world where we are bombarded with daily news and it can be exhausting trying to keep up with it all. As we talk to many of our clients, we find that everyone’s approach to coping is different. Some people are glued to their TVs and radios, others are choosing to use this…

The Bull market rolls on. At least that is what we have been hearing from our economists, strategists, and portfolio managers (PMs) on how they are feeling for the coming year. There has been much discussion in our client meetings recently about how their portfolios and the overall markets might be impacted by things like the US Election this fall (will Trump be re-elected?), or the newsworthy impact of the Coronavirus on world markets. The short story from the industry professionals we hear speak regularly is that 2020 should end the year with positive returns, with some increased volatility throughout…

Given the focus on the environment during our recent election, and the ongoing global attention to climate change, I thought this would be a good time to address how the investment community is responding. You may be surprised. Pension and investment managers have always screened for risks before purchasing any company’s stock or bond issues. These risks were typically financial in nature; like how much debt the company has, where they stack up against their competitors, the quality of the company management, and whether there is future growth for their product or service, and ultimately more profit. Increasingly we are…

We are moving into a period of uncertainty with mounting tensions over trade wars, and continued surprises via Tweets from the U.S. President. I thought this a good time to share what the effects may be on your investments. 2017 was the year of calm, with little volatility in the markets; surprising – given the almost constant flow of tweets and government chaos south of the border. In fact, business enjoyed lower taxes and improved earnings in the U.S. throughout the year. This was reflected in their stock market. Lesson: the noise and silliness from Trump has largely been ignored…

Category Archives: Politics

Navigating the Latest Canada-U.S. Trade Tensions

Markets, Headlines, and Perspective

Canada vs. US Trade War

Embracing Active Management Amidst Political Uncertainty

Trump’s Triumph … Again

What in the World?!

Thoughts for Difficult Times

Market Update 2020

Are Your Investments Helping or Hurting the Planet?

Trade Wars and the Tweet Effect