Happy New Year? | December 2015

“It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see.” Winston Churchill After a difficult 2015, which saw the TSX down over 11% and jokes of the northern peso surfacing, Canadians are undoubtedly hoping for a sweeter 16. While we are not in possession of a crystal ball, we […]

There is no Free (Liquid) Lunch | November 2015

The topic du jour in the corporate bond world is liquidity, or more specifically the lack there of. Despite significant growth in the size of the market, it has become increasingly more difficult to buy and sell corporate bonds without moving prices. Many are quick to point the finger at the Volcker Rule and Dodd-Frank […]

Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Fed? | November 2015

“The luck of the third adventure is proverbial.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning After seven years at zero and nine years since the last hike, ‘Lady Janet of Brooklyn’ is poised to move interest rates higher tomorrow. Recent history suggests that the various asset classes ought to tremble with fear. In 2013 when ‘Helicopter Ben’ Bernanke announced […]

The Bulls Strike Back | October 2015

“Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things.”Yoda Not so long ago, in a galaxy not far, far away, equity markets shed more than 10% of their value. It was a period of great terror and despair. Investors lived in fear of a slowing global economy and the Empire unleashing their much dreaded weapon, the […]

Every Day is Game Seven | September 2015

“You can observe a lot by just watching”Yogi Berra What you observe depends on what you are watching. Those watching the Blue Jays were treated to a thrilling ride en route to their first American League Championship Series appearance in 22 years. Those watching their investment account balances and the markets in September experienced a […]