Alex Stadnyk at CIBC Wood Gundy

I would like to upgrade the trend to trend!

I’m sure you’ve seen TikToks and articles about Girl Math: playful justifications for spending that make no sense but feel right. It’s amusing, but let’s flip it.

Let’s talk about something that also doesn’t make sense: how women are treated when they are seeking financial advice. Let me give you some examples:

• 54% of women in Canada are primary earners, and women are projected to control nearly 50% of all financial wealth by 2026.
o Yet, only 18% of investment advisors are women.

• 60% of women invest in the stock market.
o But the majority of financial podcasts, blogs, and articles? Written by men.

• When women invest, they tend to diversify more, trade less, and are more risk-aware. This leads to women outperforming men by 1.4% on average.
o Yet, women consistently report feeling pushed out of financial conversations by advisors and feel their ideas are dismissed.

How does this add up? Because I don’t think it does.

So before anyone has anything more to say about another woman’s spending habits, let’s focus on this instead.

It’s time to include women in the conversation.

Sources:
RBC Economics, March 2020
Wells Fargo Economics, 2021
Advisor Advancement Institute Women & Investing, 2018
RBC GAM: What every woman needs to know about investing
ISS Market Intelligence, 2022

Wednesday Wisdom: Perspective Is Key in a Bull Market

Cullen Roche captured the stock market paradox well when he said: ‘The stock market is the only market where things go on sale, and all the customers run out of the store.’

For the past 25 months we have enjoyed a bull run in the stock market. It’s easy to become complacent during these periods of growth, but seasoned investors know that markets move in cycles. The average bull market lasts just over two years, according to historical data from the S&P 500. While no one can predict exactly when the next correction will come, preparing your portfolio during strong markets is the best way to stay confident when conditions change.

Now is the time to revisit your long-term strategy. Does your portfolio reflect your values, goals and risk tolerance? When was the last time you had this conversation with your advisor?

&WellBeing

The 2024 US presidential election has concluded with Donald Trump securing another term in office.
Regardless of politics we have a clear winner in the presidential race which means certainty. Markets tend to favor certainty.

Preliminary insights on the US election outcome Preliminary insights on the US election outcome The 2024 US presidential election has concluded with Donald Trump securing another term in office. This outcome introduces a range of potential impacts on the economic landscape, trade policies, and market dynamics.

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🎃 Tonight is U.S. election night: adult version of Halloween!

While the costumes are replaced by campaign promises and candy by exit polls, we’re here in Canada watching from a close distance. Saw this pumpkin at our local Pumpkin Parade and loved it, who knew they’d make such a great jack-o’-lantern?!

On a more serious note, election cycles tend to stir up emotions, but history has shown us that the best investment strategies aren’t swayed by political swings. Instead of reacting to short-term events, staying the course and focusing on long-term goals helps keep your financial plan intact.

Friendly reminder that while election night may bring surprises, true financial success is built on patience and perspective.

Most people complain that there's not enough time in the day, but there's actually more time than we think. At least that's what this MD wants you to think!
Long story short if you use the commute time, the weekend time, the time you're supposed to have for family, the time you're supposed to have for self care, the time you're supposed to have for friends, on something some stranger deems useful, you'll be successful!

OR! admit that time has become more scarce, and maybe todays connected world has something to do with it. But spending the time that you do have intentionally according to your values, while cutting out any time that might otherwise be spent reading this article; if that brings you just a moment of joy, I say it's worth it!

Finding Hidden Time Most people complain that they do not have enough time. However, identifying and focusing on an important goal can help liberate hidden time.

Just like this article says:

"Just mentioning the words “mortgage renewal” can spark stress for many homeowners."

Its a good idea to engage your mortgage advisor 4-6 months before the renewal date. It may also be a good idea to revisit your financial plan if the new mortgage payments will impact your savings rate.

Here are some tips that may help ease stress around your mortgage renewal.

Worried about a higher mortgage rate? Tips to ease stress when renewing If you are a homeowner facing renewal over the next two years, you may be wondering: What’s my best move?

To continue the commentary on inflation and interest rates, Statistics Canada announced a lower than expected inflation number (expected 1.8%, announced 1.6%).

Gasoline prices were the biggest contributor to the drop.

Argument to be made that the real question now is not whether we should expect a rate cut, but whether that rate cut will be .25% or .50%.

Time will tell! Next interest rate announcement is on October 23rd!

Quick update on the September employment data for Canada! More jobs were created than expected, and the unemployment rate fell to 6.5%. 🎉 But with our growing population, we’re still not absorbing available workers fast enough.

These positive job numbers make it a bit trickier for the Bank of Canada to justify a 50bps rate cut later this month. But the story isn’t over yet—we still have the business outlook survey and CPI numbers coming up next week. Remember, interest rate decisions are based on a mix of factors, not just jobs!

Stay tuned, and let’s see how things unfold.

Ever noticed how the stock market often slips in September?

It's an observed trend. Historically, this month sees the market dipping more often than other months (see pic). This past September was different though, market went up, and you've likely seen a lot of articles talking about that.

So, why does Mr. Market reacts to September like Garfield to Mondays? Theories range from mutual fund managers adjusting portfolios for the end of the fiscal year, to investors selling stocks to offset back-to-school expenses. Psychological factors also perceived to play a role—market participants might be more risk-averse after summer vacations.

Why does this matter? Because the stock market isn't a perfect science. We watch for trends, interpret data, and more importantly exercise a LOT of patience. When the market defies trends and expectations like it did this September, it's a reminder to stay the course. Investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your eyes on the horizon, not just the short-term dips and peaks.

P.S. if you would like to discuss current market trends and how it may impact your portfolio, feel free to reach out for a free consult: [email protected].

Reflecting on my journey, I realized I've been striving for a simple life—one with minimal physical and emotional clutter, allowing me to fully enjoy the happy moments.

***Simple does not mean easy.***

The path to simplicity involves making tough decisions, which can be emotional, messy, and exhausting. But it's worth it to me.

Lately, I've had many conversations with clients about estate planning. How can we plan to ensure our loved ones are taken care of and our legacy is protected? Each answer is unique, reflecting individual values, circumstances, and goals. It warms my heart when we find the right solution.

Talking about your estate plan can be hard, but in my opinion, it’s a big step toward that simplicity.