With valuation levels in developed markets trading well above historical
averages, emerging markets look downright cheap in comparison. Factor in
positive demographics, less dependence on commodities, and increasing
investor interest and the case for adding emerging markets exposure becomes
very strong. And the FundGrade A+ Award
-winning
Trimark Emerging Markets Class is one of the most attractive funds in the space.
“What do you think about Bitcoin?” Over the past few months, I’ve gotten
this question more than any other. In 2017 the value of Bitcoin, the
world’s first cryptocurrency, rose by almost 1,200%, prompting excitement
and bafflement.
Stock markets are looking riskier than they have in years. The escalating
trade war between the U.S. and China has spooked investors, and rightly so.
Unless there is a diplomatic settlement quickly, this faceoff between the
world’s two largest economies could result in the losses of thousands of
jobs in both countries and an increase in inflation as the higher costs
work their way through to consumers.
By Fund Library News Wire | Friday, April 20, 2018
By Mike Keerma
The major North American stock indices held their own on the week, with
Canada’s
S&P/TSX Composite Index advancing 1.4%, as
crude oil gained 1.3%, despite some softness on Friday. With first-quarter earnings
expectations still high, the U.S. blue chip
S&P 500 Composite Index edged up 0.5% week over week, despite headwinds from interest rates as the
yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury note rose to near 3.0%, its
highest level since 2014. Yields were fueled by inflationary pressures as
the March all-items consumer price index rose to an annual 2.4%, with the
core rate at 2.1%. A retreat on Friday in both the energy and technology
sectors weighed on stock indices at week’s end, but the
Nasdaq Composite Index
still managed 0.6% uptick on the week, even as
Apple Corp. (NASDAQ: AAPL) slipped, mainly on growing concerns over its flagging iPhone X sales.
We expect the Canadian economy to cool throughout 2018 at a time when trade
risks could further complicate the global outlook. Canada’s economy can
take some reassurance from the relatively firm growth in the U.S., but
indebted households, weak domestic oil prices, still sluggish business
investment and subdued exports all pose challenges.
