Taking Stock - Q3 2008

Taking Stock - Q2 2008

Over the past year, international equity markets recorded split results. Those stock markets with significant mineral and energy components - Brazil, Russia, South Africa, and Canada, rose. Those without minerals fell. Energy and mineral or hard asset companies now dominate the S&P/TSX ...

Taking Stock - Q1 2008

All right, who didn't read the small print? It would appear the answer
is just about everyone. The real answer is policy makers did not care.
At the end of the quarter, Washington finally announced the overhaul
of the rules governing its ...

Taking Stock - Q4 2007

Pay attention to the bond market. Canadian and U.S. bond yields peaked then fell, mid-2007, breaking a rising trend that begun mid-2003. As the cracks in the financial system became more pervasive, bond prices began rising, yields falling, a pattern continued through ...

Taking Stock - Q3 2007

It was a summer of reversals. Takeover activity gave way to failed deals. Central bankers reversed from fighting inflation to fighting credit collapse. The rising bond market fell. Bearish stocks and commodity markets transformed to bulls. With the Fed's dual rate cuts, ...

Taking Stock - Q2 2007

As we prepare to apprise our President, Leigh Pullen, of the events that affected the markets during his six-week trek across Asia and Europe, one major theme emerges: Rising bond yields are exposing the vulnerability of the US economy and equity markets.

Taking Stock - Q1 2007

As investors of somewhat bearish persuasion, we were heartened to learn the shares of the Berlin Zoo had climbed 112 percent this year after Knut, their orphan polar bear, became a celebrity on German
TV. Investors were betting Knut's appeal with "brand ...