The financial markets, much like the latest release of Taylor Swift, “the Life of a Showgirl”, continue to reach new heights and break records. The markets have been extremely resilient despite the continual bombardment of economic and political headlines. In what has been a wacky year-to-date thus far, September, which traditionally has been one of the weakest months in the stock markets, grew this year! The S&P500 grew +4.5% and the Canadian TSX grew at a rate +5%. The markets continue to defy the consensus of what should be happening and posting excellent results. This is all amid a backdrop of the US government shutdown, which enters a second week. While some government data releases are being delayed, the overall market impact has been limited as participants wait for signs of progress in Washington.
Here at home, Canadian markets have remained steady, supported by energy and construction sectors and a generally stable economic backdrop. Adding another layer of interest this week, Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting has sparked speculation about what the two might discuss — from trade to economic cooperation — but for now, it’s simply another reminder of how interconnected global economies have become. It is clear that the goal for Carney is to come to an agreement on a framework for a trade agreement that will lessen the strain on certain industries here in Canada, such as the softwoods lumber industry that is feeling the burden of recently imposed higher tariffs.
We always like to remind our clients that global uncertainty can often make headlines feel dramatic and the news cycle is primarily devoted to the “less than positive” impact of the financial markets. As they say… bad news sells! What is often neglected, however are headlines that speak to the resiliency and continued strong upward trajectory the markets have had since April of this year. It is important to remember that short-term noise is a normal part of investing. Staying focused on long-term goals continues to be the best strategy.
With the US government shutdown in effect, the latest jobs report, highlighting employment data, has been delayed. This has left economists guessing as to where the US labor force stands now.
In client meetings we often stress the importance of diversifying the portfolio. For the longest time, however, most of the money being made was investment within the US. That has been changing with global trade diversification and emerging markets are once again being viewed as attractive investment options. We have an interesting article on emerging markets and their rally. Check it out!
While the weather has suggested otherwise, it is in fact Fall and we have a helpful article on your fall gardening to-do list. Have a look!
If you have bought coffee at the grocery store lately, you have likely seen a fairly dramatic increase in the price. We have an insightful article on the recent increases and why people can not simply give up on coffee.
Healthcare is quickly becoming a do-it-yourself project for patients as they increasingly diagnosing themselves with home tests, devices and even AI chatbots. We have an article on what is driving the new DIY health trend and where it is headed in the future.
A reminder that Canada Post remains on strike and traditional mail delivery has been disrupted. If you have not done so, please sign up for the secure Client Portal, which ensures you always have direct access to your investment details, statements, and documents—without relying on the mail. If you are unsure of how to get access to the Client Portal, please reach out to Deb in our office at 226-647-4595 or [email protected], and she will be happy to assist you.
And finally, if you have not done so yet please vote for Candace and ThinkWise Wealth Management in the KW Record Readers’ Choice Awards. Candace has once again been nominated as Best Financial Advisor, and ThinkWise Wealth has been nominated as Best Financial Planning Services in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. These nominations mean so much to us because they come from you—our valued clients and community. Voting is now open, and we would be truly grateful for your support. You can cast your vote here: Readers’ Choice Voting Link
As we head into the Thanksgiving long weekend, all of us at ThinkWise Wealth Management want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude. We never take for granted that you have choices when it comes to who helps guide your financial future, and we sincerely thank you for choosing to work with us and for the trust you place in our team. We also want to extend our appreciation to our own families, whose ongoing support allows us to dedicate the time and care required to provide the best service possible.
From all of us at ThinkWise, we wish you and your loved ones a happy, safe, and memorable Thanksgiving weekend filled with good food, laughter, and special moments with family and friends.
