Articles

Tariffs have been a hot topic for investors since President Trump won the 2024 U.S. election. The situation started to worsen for global trade on April 2, 2025. “Liberation Day”, President Trump announced the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” to maintain a balanced trade between the U.S. and its trading partners. Specifically, there is a minimum of 10% tariff base across various nations, and a variable rate, which is as high as 49% and 45% for countries like Cambodia and Vietnam, respectively.

European defence stocks have vastly outperformed the S&P 500 this year and so far, show no sign of slowing down. Despite the currency risk, Canadian investors may be able to ride the momentum.

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Standard & Poors 500 Index (S&P) both delivered strong returns in 2024, on top of strong returns the preceding year, with both exchanges ending 2023 and 2024 on a high note. Markets so far this year have performed less steadily, and investors may be experiencing losses. But losses, under certain conditions, could present a hopeful prospect: Tax-loss selling.

Like many Canadians, I am doing my best to boycott U.S. products given current tense relations. I would also like to diversify my investments outside of the U.S., and I wonder what my global alternatives are for investments in fine wine.

Like every consumer industry, investment tastes change to reflect the times. The utilitarian 60/40 portfolio is now deemed passé and poorly suited for these tumultuous times. Alts (a.k.a. ‘alternative investment strategies’) are roaring down the product pipeline. Once the exclusive domain of institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, these often pricey and opaque strategies, such as private equity, private credit, and venture capital, are now being pitched to the hoi polloi. But are they “a must-have”—or “a most hyped”?

When your family circle grows, there are financial implications. Whether it is due to the birth of a child or grandchild, the start of a common-law relationship, or celebrating a marriage, there may be opportunities and challenges that result.

In 2023, central banks across the globe instituted a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to curb inflation. Given its susceptibility to high interest rates, these measures had a negative impact on real estate as an asset class. Consequently, real estate investors in both private markets as well as the public markets largely through Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) have experienced meaningful drops in the market value of such assets, ranging from a decline of 30% to 50%. Many overleveraged entities turned into financial hardships that led to bankruptcy because of increasing mortgage expenses.

In October 2024, the Ontario Securities Commission (“OSC”) released a Consultation Paper 81-737 (the Proposal) for comment to enable retail investors access to illiquid long-term assets through a new type of prospectus-qualified investment fund.

If there’s a new child or grandchild in your family, as a Canadian MoneySaver reader, you’re likely already thinking about how to save for their future education. Many Canadians are familiar with the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), but there are a few key opportunities you might be missing out on that could make a big impact.