The You First Blog

The first half of 2023 was defined by contrasting themes. On the recessionary data side, we saw a slowdown in the manufacturing sector, coupled with tighter credit conditions following March’s banking turmoil. On the soft-landing side, the labour market remains strong, with unemployment rates hovering near all-time lows. Inflation has moderated only slightly, despite the… Read More

The promising start to 2023 continued for investors in April as stocks posted more gains, bond yields were stable, and inflation cooled again. However, concerns remain around the direction of central bank interest rates, the debt ceiling, and consumer spending. Here’s a summary of the main events that steered the markets. Markets are up since… Read More

We hope you and your families enjoyed a happy, healthy, and relaxing holiday season. As we turn the page on 2022 and bring 2023 into focus, here are 15 topics to consider when planning for the coming year. Markets have been increasing since early-October 2022. On October 12, 2022, the S&P 500 bottomed out –… Read More

As we approach the end of 2022, here is a “state of the market” which shows where we are and provides a potential glimpse into the next year. Firstly, some high-level commentary from Myles Zyblock, Chief Investment Strategist at Dynamic Funds: The next year’s outlook represents a fine balance between further monetary policy tightening and… Read More

Today, the U.S. October inflation data report was released, with unexpectedly positive results. Canadian and U.S. Markets responded resoundingly – staging the largest single day rally since April 2020 –  on the hopes the U.S. Federal Reserve may ease off its prior strong rate increase signaling. We would like to share some commentary from Myles… Read More

On Wednesday the Bank of Canada (BoC) announced its latest rate increase, lifting the overnight policy interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) to 3.75%. Most analysts had predicted a 75bps increase. The lower-than-expected increase represents a continued slowing in the pace of increases since the start of the rate hiking cycle. The 50bps move… Read More