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Tag: market performance

  • Hot stocks: Canada’s top performers in Q3 2025 – MoneySense

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    The best stock to have in your portfolio was data centre operator Bitfarms Ltd., with an eye-popping 247.8% return over the 90 days to September 30, followed by cannabis producer Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (233%) and uranium miner Energy Fuels Inc. (171.5%).

    The 213-member S&P/TSX Composite—the standard index of Canadian stocks—gained 11.8% over the period. Its total return, including dividends, was 12.5%. These numbers compared favourably with the S&P 500 in the U.S., which returned 7.8% (8.1% total return) in Q3. 

    Of the 296 mid- to large-capitalization stocks in Canada (with a market value of $2 billion or more), the standouts included technology, cannabis, uranium, fast fashion, and gold companies—the domain of risk-takers. One of the top 10 performers (listed below), Cresco Labs Inc., started the quarter as a penny stock.

    Canada’s best dividend stocks

    Bitfarms has benefited lately from gains in the value of bitcoin, which it “mines,” and demand for data centres due to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. The Toronto-headquartered company’s second-quarter revenue was up 87% year over year. 

    Curaleaf, which is based in Wakefield, Mass., joined the S&P/TSX Composite in September, becoming the only cannabis producer on the index. Inclusion in a major index usually boosts a company’s stock price as index funds are forced to add it to their portfolios. Curaleaf has also been buoyed by social media posts by U.S. President Donald Trump apparently in favour of wider cannabis legalization and Medicare funding for medical applications.

    Lakewood, Colo.-based Energy Fuels’ growth has been driven by rising uranium prices and the Trump administration’s determination to boost nuclear energy use and supply chains in the United States. The company also has a sideline in rare earth elements, a market currently dominated by China but in which the U.S. seeks to develop its own supplies.

    Here are Canada’s top 10 best performing mid- to large-cap momentum stocks for Q3 2025:

    A hot streak in one three-month period is no guarantee of continued gains, especially for smaller or unprofitable companies in volatile industries. But momentum has been demonstrated to be a positive factor in investing, more often than not. There is no consensus on the optimal holding period for further price growth, though. Some investors say just a few months; others, a year or more. 

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    Momentum investing can be complemented with other factors such as value, growth, or dividend investing, helping ensure investors don’t end up simply buying stocks at high prices, only to see them fall thereafter.

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    About Michael McCullough


    About Michael McCullough

    Michael is a financial writer and editor in Duncan, B.C. He’s a former managing editor of Canadian Business and editorial director of Canada Wide Media. He also writes for The Globe and Mail and BCBusiness.

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  • Stock news for investors: Big banks see third-quarter profit growth – MoneySense

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    The bank says it earned a net income of $2.33 billion or $3.14 per diluted share for the quarter which ended July 31. The result for the quarter compared with a profit of $1.87 billion or $2.48 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.

    Revenue for the quarter totalled $8.99 billion in the quarter, up from $8.19 billion a year earlier.

    BMO’s provision for credit losses amounted to $797 million for the quarter, compared with $906 million a year earlier.

    On an adjusted basis, BMO says it earned $3.23 per diluted share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of $2.64 a year earlier.

    The average analyst estimate had been for earnings of $2.95 per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.

    “BMO delivered another quarter of strong earnings growth, with solid revenue performance and good expense management,” BMO chief executive Darryl White said in a statement.

    “We continue to invest to drive sustainable growth across our businesses, including our recently announced acquisition of Burgundy Asset Management Ltd., adding talent and advancing digital and AI capabilities to deliver a differentiated client experience.”

    The bank said its Canadian personal and commercial banking business earned $867 million in its latest quarter, down from $914 million a year ago, as higher revenue was more than offset by higher expenses and a higher provision for credit losses for the quarter.

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    In the U.S., BMO said its personal and commercial banking business earned $709 million, up from $470 million in the same quarter last year. 

    The bank said its wealth management business earned $436 million, up from $362 million a year ago, while BMO’s capital markets business earned $438 million, up from $389 million in the same quarter last year.

    BMO’s corporate services group reported a net loss of $120 million, compared with reported net loss of $270 million a year earlier.

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    Scotiabank reports $2.53B third-quarter net income, up from $1.91B a year ago

    Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)

    Numbers for its third quarter of 2025 (all figures in USD).

    • Profit: $2.53 billion (up from $1.91 billion a year earlier)
    • Revenue: $9.49 billion (up from $8.36 billion from the same quarter last year)
    Source: Google

    The Bank of Nova Scotia reported a third-quarter profit of $2.53 billion, up from $1.91 billion a year ago.

    The bank says the profit amounted to $1.84 per diluted share for the quarter ended July 31, up from $1.41 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. 

    Revenue totalled $9.49 billion for the quarter, up from $8.36 billion in the same quarter last year.

    Scotiabank’s provision for credit losses for the quarter amounted to $1.04 billion, down from $1.05 billion a year earlier.

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    The Canadian Press

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  • How will the outcome of the U.S. election affect financial markets? – MoneySense

    How will the outcome of the U.S. election affect financial markets? – MoneySense

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    “Depending what sector, what area you’re in, you’re going to have a favourite.” 

    While Trump may be pro-business and focused on cutting red tape and taxes — and markets had a good run during his last presidency — Harris presents less of a concern when it comes to geopolitical risks, said Mona Heidari, senior financial advisor at BlueShore Financial. 

    This “contributes to stronger investor sentiments and stronger investor confidence to invest in the stock market,” Heidari said. 

    Could the proposed policies drive inflation?

    On conference call to discuss Gildan Activewear Inc.’s latest results, chief executive Glenn Chamandy said Thursday that tariffs factor into costs and can create inflation, but it’s still unclear what their overall effect would be. He expressed optimism that Gildan won’t be disadvantaged.

    “If tariffs come in, they come in for everybody, so we’ll be in the same position that we’re in today,” he told investors on the call. 

    Higher spending from the government—which both candidates are likely to do—can be inflationary, making price growth stickier, said Kevin Headland, chief investment strategist at Manulife Investment Management. So can tariffs and tax cuts, he added. 

    A TD Economics report from mid-October said the Democrats “have a historical edge when it comes to stock market performance,” but that this is likely a reflection of the state of the economy when they take office. 

    Currie noted that the health-care sector usually does worse in U.S. election years, and that’s no exception this time around. Both parties like to say leading up to an election that they will fight big drug companies and insurance companies, but their promises are usually overhyped, he said. 

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    The Canadian Press

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  • Sobeys/FreshCo parent company, Empire reports earnings – MoneySense

    Sobeys/FreshCo parent company, Empire reports earnings – MoneySense

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    Growing grocery delivery business and other opportunities

    The company also said it’s hitting pause on a new fulfilment centre to help save costs in its grocery delivery business Voilà, among other changes. 

    “While the market penetration of Voilà continues to be strong, the size and growth of the Canadian grocery e-commerce market is smaller than anticipated, resulting in higher net earnings dilution than originally estimated,” Empire said in its press release. The company says it’s focusing on driving volume and performance at its three existing centres. 

    Empire also prematurely ended its mutual exclusivity agreement with technology provider Ocado, as part of changes it’s made to lower costs and increase flexibility. The changes “are expected to have a significant, positive impact on Voilà’s profitability in fiscal 2025 and 2026,” Empire said.
    The company says its profit amounted to $0.86 per diluted share for the 13-week period ended Aug. 3.

    The result was down from a profit of $1.03 per diluted share in the same quarter last year when its bottom line was boosted by the sale of 56 gas stations in Western Canada.

    Analyst take on Empire’s quarter

    RBC analyst Irene Nattel said Empire’s operating results came in “a tick above forecast as consumer value-seeking behaviour stabilizes.” She said in a note that the company continues to execute on its strategy to maximize revenue in its full-service stores, despite the broader momentum in discount stores, though she added Empire is also growing its discount presence. Nattel has previously said Empire is overly exposed to the full-service part of the grocery sector compared with its competitors, giving it a relative disadvantage amid heightened price sensitivity. 

    Empire earnings highlights

    Here’s a breakdown of the results this week.

    • Empire Company (EMP/TSX): Earnings per share of $0.63 (versus $0.62 predicted). Revenue of $7.41 billion (meeting the prediction).

    Sales for what was the company’s first quarter totalled $8.14 billion, up from $8.08 billion a year earlier. Same-store sales for the quarter were up 0.5%, while same-store sales, excluding fuel, increased 1%.

    Medline said a year and a half after completing the rollout of loyalty program Scene+ across Canada, the program has more than 15 million members, with those members spending on average 55% more than non-members. “Scene+ has significantly boosted our incremental sales and margin compared to our prior loyalty program,” he said. 

    On an adjusted basis, Empire says it earned $0.90 per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of $0.78 per diluted share in the same quarter last year. Shares in Empire closed up 5.6% on the Toronto Stock Exchange at $40.62. 

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    The Canadian Press

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  • 67% Of Investors Say Trump Is Better For Stocks Than Biden, But Market Predictions Are All Over The Map

    67% Of Investors Say Trump Is Better For Stocks Than Biden, But Market Predictions Are All Over The Map

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    67% Of Investors Say Trump Is Better For Stocks Than Biden, But Market Predictions Are All Over The Map

    In a landscape where economic policy and market performance often intersect, a CNBC survey found that investors prefer former President Donald Trump’s potential impact on the stock market.

    The poll, which surveyed 400 investors, traders, and money managers, found that 67% believe Trump would benefit stocks more.

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    CNBC said the sentiment appears to be rooted in historical performance. During Trump’s four-year tenure, the S&P 500 surged 68%, while the Nasdaq saw a 137% climb. In contrast, under Biden’s administration thus far, the same indexes have gained 44% and 34%, respectively.

    However, the investment community is divided on the market’s near-term trajectory. The survey found an even split among respondents; a third anticipate a drop, another third expect gains, while the remaining third see a rangebound market.

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    That uncertainty reflects the factors influencing today’s economic landscape. While presidential policies can sway market sentiment, other elements often play a more important role. As Kristina Hooper, chief global market strategist at Invesco, told the New York Times, “Markets are politically agnostic. With good reason: it doesn’t matter.”

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    The recent market rally has been largely attributed to investor enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) rather than political developments. CNBC noted that Microsoft emerged as the front-runner in the AI race, with 50% of survey respondents viewing it as best positioned to capitalize on the tech. Surprisingly, Nvidia did not make the top of that list.

    The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions continue to be a factor. Two-thirds of those polled expect the Fed to cut interest rates before year’s end (with many seeing a rate cut as soon as September), a move that could impact the market.

    Interestingly, despite the clear preference for Trump regarding market performance, investors showed concerns about the current state of the major indexes. Eighty percent of respondents admitted feeling uneasy about the heavy concentration of tech stocks in the benchmarks.

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    Looking beyond equities, the survey highlighted India as the most attractive overseas market, followed by Japan and Europe. Corporate bonds emerged as the preferred investment vehicle in the absence of stocks.

    As the 2024 election approaches, investors are reminded that while presidential rhetoric often ties market performance to administration policies, the reality is far more nuanced. Historical data shows that markets have generally trended upward regardless of which party occupies the White House.

    Ultimately, as the survey results indicate, while investor sentiment may lean toward Trump for potential market gains, the road ahead for stocks appears as unpredictable as ever.

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    This article 67% Of Investors Say Trump Is Better For Stocks Than Biden, But Market Predictions Are All Over The Map originally appeared on Benzinga.com

    © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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  • Why did the stock markets fall? – MoneySense

    Why did the stock markets fall? – MoneySense

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    Anxiety over the U.S. economy

    Despite some signs of cooling, the U.S. economy kept chugging along even with higher rates, outpacing Europe and Asia. Then came last week’s economic reports.

    Weak reports on manufacturing and construction were followed by the government’s monthly report on the job market, which showed a significant slowdown in hiring by U.S. employers. Worries that the U.S. Fed may have kept the brakes on the economy too long spread through the markets.

    Big Tech movements

    A handful of Big Tech stocks drove the market’s double-digit gains into July. But their momentum turned last month on worries investors had taken their prices too high and expectations for their profit gains had grown too difficult to meet—a notion that gained credence when the group’s latest earnings reports were mostly underwhelming.

    Apple fell more than 5% Monday, after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that it had slashed its ownership stake in the iPhone maker. Nvidia lost more than $420 billion in market value Thursday through Monday. Overall, the tech sector of the S&P 500 was the biggest drag on the market Monday.

    Japan’s rollercoaster

    The Nikkei suffered its worst two-day decline ever, dropping 18.2% on Friday and Monday combined. One catalyst for the outsized move has been an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan last week.

    The BoJ’s rate increase affected what are known as carry trades. That’s when investors borrow money from a country with low interest rates and a relatively weak currency, like Japan, and invest those funds in places that will yield a high return. The higher interest rates, plus a stronger Japanese yen, may have forced investors to sell stocks to repay those loans.

    What should investors do now?

    The prevailing wisdom is: Hold steady. Experts and analysts encourage taking a long view, especially for investors concerned about retirement savings. “More often than not, panic selling on a red day is generally a great way to lose more money than you save,” said Jacob Channel, senior economist for LendingTree, who reminds investors that markets have recovered from worse sell-offs than the current one.

    Bitcoin was back up to $56,490 Monday morning after the price of the world’s largest cryptocurrency fell to just above $54,000 during Monday’s rout. That’s still down from nearly $68,000 one week ago, per data from CoinMarketCap.

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    The Canadian Press

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  • Will GIC rates keep going up in 2024? – MoneySense

    Will GIC rates keep going up in 2024? – MoneySense

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    As a result of these rate hikes, the interest rates available on guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) have risen as well—leading to renewed interest from savers and investors. In fact, over the past 12 months, the average one-year Canadian GIC rate has shot up from 2% to 4.90%. As a result of this move-up in rates, even market-linked GICs—which offer a lower guaranteed interest rate because of higher potential gains linked to the stock market—are offering a minimum guaranteed rate over 2%, as of mid-December 2023.

    How high will GIC interest rates go?

    The interest rates you pay on various types of debt, like a mortgage or a line of credit, depends mainly on the benchmark rate set by the BoC. This, in turn, depends on the prevailing rate of inflation. Simply put, the higher inflation is in Canada, the higher the BoC’s benchmark rate, and the higher the interest rate you pay on your loans. On the bright side, a high-rate environment also offers high GIC interest rates—a boon for Canadian investors.

    When you buy a GIC, you lend money to a bank or other GIC issuer in exchange for a guaranteed amount of interest at the end of an agreed-upon period (such as one, two or five years). 

    We can’t predict future interest rates, but for now, here are some interest rates you can get on long-term non-redeemable GICs at Scotiabank as of mid-December 2023.

    Term Interest rate
    1-year 5%
    2-year 4.3%
    3-year 4.1%
    4-year 4.45%
    5-year 4.35%
    Rates are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change at any time.

    It’s notoriously tricky to pinpoint precisely where interest rates will go, but we can expect that GIC rates will remain relatively high as long as inflation persists in Canada. While inflation is down from the scary heights of 8% in June 2022, it’s still above the BoC’s target rate of 2%. So, rates may remain flat until we see significant cooling in the Canadian economy. This means that while GIC rates may not spike further, the current rates could persist for a while.

    GIC vs. high-interest savings account (HISA)

    Just as the rates for GICs are up, so are those offered on high-interest savings accounts (HISAs). As a result, Canadians are exploring HISAs and drawing comparisons between these and GICs to determine the better investment. While a HISA may be more flexible than a GIC, if you’re looking for higher guaranteed rates of return, GICs could be the way to go. For example, as of early December 2023, money held in a Scotiabank HISA for 360 days will offer you 2.55% to 2.65%.

      HISA Cashable GIC Non-redeemable GIC
    Term 360 days 1 year 1 year
    Interest rate 2.55% to 2.65% 2.85% 5%
    Rates are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change at any time.

    Choosing a GIC

    If you’re considering investing in a GIC, here are the various types on offer:

    • Non-redeemable GICs: You buy a GIC for a set period (called the “term”), with a fixed and guaranteed annual interest rate. At the end of the term, you get your principal back, along with the interest earned. These GICs cannot be cashed in prematurely.
    • Cashable GICs: Unlike non-redeemable GICs, cashable GICs can be cashed in prematurely—before the term of the GIC is complete. You must hold this GIC for at least 30 days, and you can keep the interest earned up to the date you redeem it.
    • Personable redeemable GICs: At Scotiabank, these GICs are currently available for a two-year term. They offer a higher rate of interest than a cashable GIC, and they can be redeemed early, either partially or fully.
    • Market-linked GICs: Market-linked GICs offer investors the safety of traditional GICs and the potential to earn higher returns linked to the stock market. Like a conventional GIC, your principal is protected, and you get a minimum guaranteed interest rate (though it is typically lower than for other GIC types). Additionally, the GIC is linked to a major U.S. or Canadian stock market index—such as the S&P 500 or the S&P/TSX 60. For example, if the index rises 8%, you will get 8% on your GIC instead of the minimum guaranteed rate of about 2.4%.

    Market-linked GICs: pros and cons

    Before you buy a market-linked GIC, here are some points to consider:

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    Aditya Nain

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  • What is a market-linked GIC? – MoneySense

    What is a market-linked GIC? – MoneySense

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    If you like the safety of GICs but also want exposure to the stock market, there’s a type of investment for that: market-linked GICs. These investments guarantee the return of your principal along with a minimum interest rate, while also providing limited exposure to stock market movements.

    How market-linked GICs work

    Unlike a traditional GIC, a market-linked GIC is tied to a particular stock market index—like the Canadian S&P/TSX 60 or the American S&P 500. This gives investors an opportunity to benefit from market gains to a limited extent. We say “limited” because even if the S&P 500 index gains 50% over a three-year period, a GIC linked to that index may limit your gains to, say, 35%.

    Any gain isn’t guaranteed, as no one can predict what the markets will do, but the potential upside is there—and your principal is protected regardless of what the stock market does.

    Of course, you can invest in the stock market by buying individual shares, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Unlike these, however, a market-linked GIC ensures that you won’t lose any of your principal if there’s a market downturn. Market-linked GICs offer:

    • A guaranteed minimum rate of interest
    • Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) coverage of the GIC’s principal and interest, up to $100,000, in case of a bank failure, if the GIC issuer is a CDIC member institution

    Additionally, there is no fee to invest in a market-linked GIC or other types of GICs.

    How do market-linked GICs and ETFs compare?

    Consider this comparison of a traditional Scotiabank three-year non-redeemable GIC with Scotiabank’s US Tracker Index ETF (SITU) and Scotiabank’s three-year market-linked GIC—both tied to the S&P 500 index. (GIC rates current as of Nov. 20, 2023.)

    Term Minimum guaranteed interest rate Maximum full-term return Principal guarantee Linked index Fee
    Traditional GIC 3 years 4.1% Not applicable Yes None None
    Market-linked GIC 3 years 2.44% Limited to 35% Yes S&P 500 None
    Scotiabank ETF (SITU) None None Matches the index without limit No S&P 500 0.08%

    Are market-linked GICs a good investment?

    Market-linked GICs have several things going for them:

    • They’re eligible for both non-registered and registered investment accounts, including the registered education savings plan (RESP), registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), registered retirement income fund (RRIF), tax-free savings account (TFSA) and registered disability savings plan (RDSP).
    • They have a low minimum investment amount—as low as $500, in the case of Scotiabank’s GICs.
    • Market-linked GICs are eligible for CDIC protection, up to $100,000 per depositor, at CDIC member institutions.

    Are market-linked GICs right for you?

    Like all investments, a market-linked GIC could be a good investment if it aligns with your financial situation, financial goals, risk profile and investment time horizon. Typically, these GICs could suit Canadian investors who:

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    Aditya Nain

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