Core Insights - Canadian pension plans demonstrated resilience with a median return of 0.2% for Q4 2025 and a total return of 4.4% for the year, as reported by the Northern Trust Canada Universe [1][2] Economic Environment - The fourth quarter of 2025 experienced market volatility due to geopolitical tensions, trade policy issues, and a U.S. government shutdown lasting 43 days, yet major economies showed reasonable stability [1][6] - The U.S. Federal Reserve cut its overnight interest rate twice during the quarter, while the Bank of Canada cut its benchmark rate in October and maintained it in December, indicating improvements in the labor market [1][7] Market Performance - Canadian equities, as measured by the S&P/TSX Composite Index, rose 6.2% for the quarter and 31.7% for the year, with the Materials sector leading at a remarkable 100.6% return [5] - U.S. equities, represented by the S&P 500 Index, gained 1.1% in CAD for the quarter and 12.4% for the year, with the Health Care and Communication Services sectors showing strong performance [5] - International developed markets, measured by the MSCI EAFE Index, returned 3.4% in CAD for the quarter and 25.7% for the year, with Financials and Utilities being the strongest performers [5] Fixed Income Market - The Canadian fixed income market, as per the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index, reported a modest decline for the quarter, with short-term bonds showing slight gains while mid and long-term bonds declined [9] Global Economic Indicators - Emerging markets performed well despite global uncertainties, with the People's Bank of China maintaining its loan prime rates amid weak economic data [8]

Europe's largest asset manager, Amundi , on Tuesday reported higher-than-expected net inflows in the fourth-quarter, and the CEO said clients were seeking diversification in Europe and away from the U... ...

Market Overview - Major indices closed higher, with the Dow up over 500 points, representing a 1% increase [1] - The NASDAQ composite increased by more than half a percent, while the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 also saw gains of nearly 1% [2][3] Sector Performance - Industrials experienced significant growth, driven by a strong ISM manufacturing report, marking the best activity since 2022 [3] - Consumer staples and financials also closed up over 1%, while energy and utilities sectors saw declines of nearly 2% and 1.5%, respectively [4] Notable Stock Movements - Apple and Walmart both rose by 4%, with Micron increasing by 5% [4] - SanDisk showed remarkable performance, up 180% year-to-date, while Intel rebounded with a 5% increase [5][6] AI Market Dynamics - AI is no longer the sole driver of market rallies, with Nvidia and Oracle experiencing declines while broader markets surged [7] - There is a shift towards diversification outside of the AI theme, with a focus on value investments [10][12] Earnings Insights - Palantir reported Q4 EPS of 25 cents, exceeding expectations of 23 cents, with revenue up 70% to $1.41 billion [26] - The company anticipates adjusted operating income for Q1 between $870 million and $874 million, also beating consensus [27] Growth Projections - Palantir's guidance for 2026 indicates a growth rate of 61%, suggesting a reacceleration in demand [35] - The US commercial revenue for Palantir increased by 137% year-over-year, indicating strong market demand [37] Competitive Landscape - Palantir is positioned uniquely in the market, with its offerings being integral to AI infrastructure, distinguishing it from traditional software companies [52][56] - The company is seen as a leader in the AI space, with significant potential for growth as AI technologies continue to evolve [54][56]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of having a retirement savings target that exceeds the average expectation of $1.26 million, particularly for individuals with annual expenses of $50,000, suggesting an additional $150,000 to $250,000 for flexibility in retirement timing [1][5]. Retirement Planning - Suze Orman advises against relying solely on 401(k) or IRA accounts due to their market dependency, recommending that individuals maintain three to five years' worth of living expenses in a liquid, low-risk account [2][7][8]. - The average American's perceived retirement savings need is $1.26 million, but many are not on track to meet this goal, highlighting the risks of market fluctuations when planning for retirement [5][23]. Emergency Fund and Cash Management - Building an emergency fund of three to six months' worth of expenses is recommended, with Orman suggesting a minimum of three to five years for added security [11][12]. - High-yield savings accounts are highlighted as effective tools for growing emergency funds, offering better interest rates than traditional accounts [12][14]. Investment Strategies - Diversification is crucial to mitigate risks associated with market volatility, with alternative assets like precious metals and real estate suggested as potential options [19][20]. - The article discusses the importance of starting retirement savings early, with specific monthly investment targets outlined for different age groups to reach the $1.26 million goal [23][24]. Financial Tools and Services - Automatic investment services, such as Acorns, are presented as convenient methods for consistent saving and investing, allowing users to round up purchases and set up recurring deposits [25][26].

Quick Read First Trust NASDAQ-100 Equal Weight fund (QQEW) restructured in December 2025 to select 50 companies using quality and growth scores. QQEW returned 12.4% over the past year but lagged because mega-cap tech stocks dominated 2025 returns. QQEW charges 0.55% annually, three times QQQ’s 0.18% fee. Investors rethink 'hands off' investing and decide to start making real money The Nasdaq-100 is dominated by a handful of massive companies, with the top three accounting for more than 20% of the ...

‌received $3.62 billion worth ‌of inflows, the highest since at least 2009.Cumulatively, these ETFs received a record $91.86 billion worth of inflows ‌in 2025, more than eight times the total in 2024.However, gold prices have fallen roughly 10% in the past two days after hitting record highs last week, as CME Group raised margin requirements following a sharp metals selloff that was triggered by ​Kevin Warsh's nomination as the next U.S. Federal Reserve ​Chair.Live EventsAnalysts at J.P. Morgan expect the ...

Group 1 - The core focus of Wilson Research is to provide insights on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that balance growth potential and dividend yield [1] - The analysis incorporates fundamental analysis along with macro-level factors such as industry trends, economics, and geopolitics [1] - Wilson Research aims to offer actionable information for long-term investors who prioritize diversification and low fees [1] Group 2 - The team at Wilson Research includes an MBA graduate and an independent financial coach [1] - The investment philosophies of Warren Buffett and Robert Kiyosaki serve as inspiration for Wilson Research [1]

Investment Strategy for Retirees - The importance of balancing riskier investments with safer options is emphasized, suggesting a rule of thumb where retirees subtract their age from 110 to determine the percentage of their portfolio to allocate to equities [2] - Retirees should avoid being overly conservative, as this could lead to running out of funds while still needing them, especially during market downturns [3] Market Conditions and Investment Risks - The volatility in the stock market is attributed to geopolitical factors, including tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which have affected global relations and market stability [4] - Retirees are advised to be cautious with their investments, particularly if they have a limited amount of cash, such as $143,000, which may not be sufficient for long-term living expenses [5] Professional Financial Advice - Engaging with a financial advisor can potentially increase net returns by about 3% over time, significantly impacting long-term growth [7] - Advisor.com offers a platform to connect retirees with licensed financial professionals for personalized investment guidance [8] Investment Options - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the S&P 500 are recommended as a common choice for equity investments, with the S&P 500 showing an annualized return of 12.5% over the past five years [10] - Diversification is crucial, as the S&P 500 is heavily weighted towards a few large tech companies, which could expose portfolios to sector-specific risks [12] Alternative Investment Vehicles - Bonds and Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are highlighted as low-risk investment options that can provide regular income streams for retirees [19][18] - Bonds, particularly Treasury bonds, are considered a safer investment due to the backing of the federal government, while CDs offer guaranteed interest rates [19] Cash Management - Retirees are advised to maintain a few months' worth of living expenses in a high-yield savings account to ensure liquidity while also considering other low-risk investment options [16]

Group 1 - The Voyager Portfolio is undergoing a shift after one month, indicating a change in focus towards portfolio management and stock selection [2][4] - The importance of not only selecting stocks but also avoiding unnecessary duplications in investment portfolios is emphasized, particularly for investors with existing mutual funds and ETFs [2][5] - The Voyager Portfolio consists of 10 stocks that are diversified across the market, designed for investors who already have broad exposure through other investment vehicles [5][6] Group 2 - The initial guidelines for the Voyager Portfolio were established to explore promising stocks that are not heavily analyzed elsewhere, rather than focusing on already recommended stocks [4][6] - The portfolio aims to include a mix of different types of stocks, avoiding concentration in a single category such as growth or value stocks [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) is recommended for investors prioritizing diversification, as it provides exposure to nearly 2,000 U.S. equities [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The individual investor and writer Vasily Zyryanov employs various techniques to identify underpriced equities with strong upside potential and overappreciated companies with inflated valuations [1] - Zyryanov emphasizes the importance of analyzing Free Cash Flow and Return on Capital in addition to profit and sales analysis to gain deeper insights into investments [1] - While favoring underappreciated equities, Zyryanov acknowledges that some growth stocks may warrant their premium valuations, highlighting the need for thorough analysis to determine market correctness [1] Group 2: Sector Focus - Zyryanov pays particular attention to the energy sector, including oil & gas supermajors, mid-cap, and small-cap exploration & production companies, as well as oilfield services firms [1] - His research also encompasses a variety of other industries, such as mining, chemicals, and luxury goods [1]