May 2025 U.S. Stock Market Forecast: In the Eye of the Storm
• The US stock market is trading at an 8% discount. • Investors should look to market-weight stocks overall but overweight value and core. • Sector valuations rise toward fair value from deeply undervalued levels, and energy is increasingly attractive. May 2025 US Stock Market Outlook and Valuation As of April 30, 2025, according to […]
Weekly Market Outlook: US-China Trade Talks and Global Economic Indicators
Markets Weekly Outlook – US-China trade talks & global economic data The week ahead has several important data releases lined up. However, with US-China talks taking place over the weekend and the first trade deal already completed, markets may shift their attention to tariff updates, which could take the spotlight away from the economic data. […]
Strategic Growth and Record Net Income
Record Net Income and Strategic … Underlying EPS: $1.82, up 21% year over year. Underlying Net Income: $1.045 billion, a record high. Reported Net Income: $928 million. Underlying ROE: 17.7%. LICAT Ratio: 149%. Cash at SLF Holdco: $1.3 billion. Share Buybacks: $520 million of common shares repurchased. Dividend Increase: 5% increase announced. SLC Management Capital […]
The Magnificent Seven at the Helm of the Stock Market
• The megacap tech stocks that make up the “Magnificent Seven” have led the market’s recovery over the past month. • That’s a big change from earlier in the year, when “old economy” stocks like financials and healthcare led, while tech fell out of favor. • Strategists say Big Tech offers investors structural advantages over […]
Likelihood of Bank of Canada Interest Rate Cut Increases in…
A shocking fall in the latest job numbers and a higher-than-anticipated rise in the unemployment rate have significantly boosted the odds of an interest rate cut when the Bank of Canada makes its next decision in June. The economy added just 7,400 jobs in April, considerably undershooting the FactSet consensus estimate of 10,000. Meanwhile, the […]
Upcoming BEV Conference to Highlight Battery Materials Supply Chain Development
Upcoming BEV conference to focus on developing battery materials supply chain The 4th BEV In-Depth: Mines to Mobility Conference in Sudbury The upcoming 4th BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) In-Depth: Mines to Mobility Conference is set to take place on May 28 and 29, 2025, in Sudbury, Ontario. This event will serve as a pivotal gathering […]
BHP-Backed SolGold Shifts to Accelerated Mining Plan to Attract Investors
The Cascabel copper-gold project in Ecuador. (Image courtesy of SolGold.) SolGold Plc, an Ecuador-focused firm backed by some of the biggest names in mining, is working on options to start production at its flagship project three or four years ahead of previous plans. The company’s Cascabel project has long been heralded for its potential of […]
10% Tariffs Are Now Permanent
10% tariffs are here to stay The U.K. and U.S. agreed to a landmark trade deal on Thursday — yet the agreement appears to be far from free of tariffs. The deal is the first made by the United States since President Donald Trump unveiled his so-called reciprocal tariffs on countries around the world last […]
George Weston Earnings: Valuation Insights from Subsidiary Loblaw
Editor’s Note: This analysis was originally published as a stock note by Morningstar Equity Research. George Weston’s WN sales grew 4% in the first quarter of 2025, led by expansion in subsidiary Loblaw (99% of sales). Adjusted operating profit rose 5.0% as margins widened by 10 basis points to 8.3%. Why it matters: We attribute […]
Great-West Financial Results: Focus on Retirement and Wealth Management
Editor’s Note: This analysis was originally published as a stock note by Morningstar Equity Research. Great-West Lifeco GWO reported decent numbers in the first quarter as base earnings came in at C$1.03 billion, or C$1.11 per share, up 6% from C$1.05 per share in the previous year. The firm reported an adjusted return on equity […]