Author: Alexander Lee

China’s economy faced challenges in the third quarter, highlighting the urgent need for increased fiscal stimulus due to declining domestic demand caused by a prolonged housing downturn. Recent data revealed a surprising slowdown in fixed-asset investment to 3.6% in the first seven months of the year. While retail sales surpassed expectations, they remained below pre-pandemic levels, and industrial production softened slightly. The offshore yuan faced losses post-data release. Analysts pointed out a lack of dynamism in China’s $17 trillion economy, with signs of deterioration as consumers and businesses grow more pessimistic. Government efforts, such as interest-rate cuts, have not made…

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX:AQN) recently announced an agreement to divest its renewable energy business to LS Power. This transaction involves the sale of a portfolio comprising 44 operational assets with a total generating capacity exceeding 3,000 megawatts (MW). Furthermore, the portfolio includes an extensive development pipeline of approximately 8,000 MW, encompassing wind, solar, battery energy storage, and renewable natural gas projects at various stages of progress. LS Power, a prominent development, investment, and operating company in the North American power and energy infrastructure sector, will acquire this business. The acquisition by LS Power expands its renewable energy portfolio…

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange experienced significant market turbulence this week following a global sell-off despite the TSX’s recent record highs. This highlights the current volatility in the market, underscoring the importance of diligent portfolio management for investors. Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. recently disclosed its Q2 2024 financial results, demonstrating a key milestone in its financial strategy. The company reported a net debt ranging from $500 million to $900 million, advancing to the next phase of its capital return framework. This achievement allows Tamarack to allocate up to 60% of free funds flow towards base dividends…

Investing in the stock market can be accessible even with a limited budget. This article highlights three affordable stocks on the TSX that show strong potential for growth and can be acquired for just $20 each. OrganiGram Holdings is a prominent licensed producer of cannabis and cannabis-derived products in Canada. The company has a diverse product portfolio and has shown strong revenue growth in recent earnings reports. With strategic partnerships and international expansion plans, OrganiGram is well-positioned for future growth. Trading at $2.10, it presents an affordable opportunity for investors interested in the growing cannabis industry. BlackBerry, once known for…

A startup founded by a computer science associate professor from the University of Southern California has recently secured $43 million in funding to address complex copyright and privacy concerns related to artificial intelligence technology. The funding round was led by Pantera Capital, Binance Labs, and Polychain Capital, with participation from notable investors such as Samsung, Matrix Partners, and Nomad Capital, as well as angel investors and industry founders, according to a statement released by the startup. The capital will be utilized to expand the team and further develop the technology. The Los Angeles-based startup, Sahara AI, is focused on creating…

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a valuable component of one’s retirement income. While it may seem like the amount received is fixed, there are actually various strategies to enhance and maximize CPP benefits. One way to increase CPP benefits is to work longer and make higher contributions throughout your career. The CPP rewards individuals with higher lifetime contributions and longer work periods with increased benefits. Delaying CPP benefits past age 65 can also significantly boost monthly payments, with a 0.7% increase for each month of delay up to age 70, resulting in a potential 42% increase in benefits. Maximizing…

Metro Inc. reported a third-quarter profit of $296.2 million, which was a decrease from $346.7 million in the same period last year. Despite the decline in profit, the company experienced a 3.5% increase in sales. The earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended July 6 were $1.31, compared to $1.49 in the previous year. Total sales for the quarter reached $6.65 billion, up from $6.43 billion in the same quarter last year. The growth in sales was driven by a 2.4% increase in food same-store sales and a 5.2% increase in pharmacy same-store sales, with prescription drugs rising by…

In August 2024, the falling interest rates in Canada present a compelling bullish case for real estate investments. With mortgage rates expected to decline, leveraged real estate deals may become more affordable. In a lower interest rate environment, Canadian real estate investment trusts (REITs) could perform well. Therefore, it is advisable to consider investing in high-quality TSX REITs. Why invest in TSX real estate sector stocks in August? Significant rate cuts are anticipated, which could reignite investor interest in highly leveraged TSX real estate stocks as borrowing costs decrease. Major lenders in Canada are forecasting a substantial decline in interest…

Canadian investors are exploring ways to capitalize on the growth in artificial intelligence (AI) while managing risk within their portfolios. While AI tech stocks have the potential for significant returns over a short period of time, recent market corrections serve as a reminder of the volatility associated with these investments. One approach to participating in the AI sector is by investing in non-tech stocks listed on the TSX that stand to benefit from the expansion of AI infrastructure or can integrate AI tools to enhance their profitability. Enbridge (TSX:ENB) has strategically diversified its asset base in recent years to include…

In recent weeks, global markets have seen increased volatility, with certain indices experiencing corrections exceeding 10%, primarily due to concerns about a potential recession in the US. For investors with a long-term perspective, these market fluctuations can offer opportunities to adjust portfolios and invest in companies with strong long-term growth potential. One such company is Silvercorp Metals, which recently finalized the acquisition of Adventus Mining, a copper-gold development firm with project holdings in Ecuador. This strategic acquisition positions Silvercorp as a geographically diversified “green metals” company, aligning with the increasing demand for environmentally conscious resources. Copper, a crucial metal with…