Someone once said that if Al Capone had turned his talents toward legitimate enterprise, he could have been the CEO of General Motors. Today’s fraudsters are no different—highly organized, intelligent, and using sophisticated tools. Unfortunately, they’re applying those skills to deception, not innovation. My Close Call Recently, I received a phone call that appeared to […]
As markets watch for interest rate cuts, political pressure on the Fed’s independence could shape inflation and U.S. dollar credibility in the years ahead. By Jeff Pollock Though lower interest rates are generally good news for stocks, what will happen if it comes at the expense of U.S. central bank independence? The Federal Reserve was […]
Earlier this week, the National Club at Bay and King in downtown Toronto unveiled their “Legacy Wall.” It honours many people, including my late grandfather. His name was William R. Allen, Q.C. Sunni Schneider, my mother, and I attended the lunch to honour Bill and the many other important people being recognized, including our Honorary […]
Canadian real estate prices took off during the last two decades alongside ultra low interest rates. Many people sought to buy a second property in a real estate market that once seemed invincible. Lately, however, many regret that decision as prices have come back down to earth amid higher borrowing costs. As a portfolio manager […]
Anyone with a furry companion doesn’t need convincing about investing in a company that sells pet food and toys. Pets aren’t just animals; they’re cherished members of the family. The resilient pet industry even grew during the 2008 financial crisis and the recent global pandemic. Our clients are shareholders of Pet Valu, which is up […]
The financial crisis of 2008 was a defining moment for me as an investor. Watching the panic unfold on Wall Street, with banks teetering and markets swinging wildly, solidified my philosophy to buy when others are selling. One of my purchases during that period was Apple. In December 2008, I bought shares around $3.36 (adjusted […]
Our investment in Canadian Utilities (“CU”), which delivers gas and electricity, in November 2023 was based on a straightforward premise: its attractive 5.7% dividend yield positioned it as a prime beneficiary of anticipated interest rate cuts. We believed falling rates would naturally enhance the appeal of high-yielding dividend stocks like CU for income investors seeking […]
Did you know that a staggering 90% of inherited wealth is gone by the third generation? A friend recently shared that he had inherited $500,000 just before the pandemic. His mother never spoke to him about money and he was surprised there was an estate to divide. Unfortunately, because he was so unprepared, the money […]
Rumblings of Western Canadian sovereignty are once again being heard. Recent polling from Angus Reid suggests that 36% of Albertans and 34% of Saskatchewanians support the idea of leaving Canada. Thankfully, 60% and 58%, respectively, still prefer to remain within the federation. Even so, this tension could easily escalate depending on Ottawa’s next move. Of […]
Google’s parent, Alphabet, is delivering strong results—yet shares are down almost 19% year-to-date. Last quarter, Alphabet reported: Despite these strong fundamentals, the stock trades at just 16x earnings, a meaningful discount both to the broader market and to Alphabet’s own historical average. So, why the disconnect? For years, digital giants like Google and Facebook have […]
Each month, we select a handful of questions that were asked by clients or soon-to-be clients. We like to post our answers online because others may have that same question as well. Here are a few of the things we were asked about most recently. Please contact us at info@schneiderpollock.com. How do I log in […]
April didn’t just bring showers—it dumped a cold bucket of water on the markets. Following Trump’s worse-than-expected tariff announcement on April 2, the S&P 500 tumbled nearly 11% in just two days. That kind of drop felt unprecedented—but it wasn’t. Since July 1933, the S&P 500 has fallen more than 10% over two consecutive days […]
The bond market is remarkably persuasive when it gets cranky. Yes, both stocks and bonds matter. When stocks climb, investors feel the “wealth effect” — richer on paper, so they book the vacation, upgrade the kitchen, and buy a second air fryer (because obviously, one isn’t enough). But the bond market? It’s bigger. Much bigger. […]
Back in the day, Richard Nixon employed the “madman theory”: act crazy enough that other world leaders would think twice before pushing too far. Trump, on the other hand, might have skipped the theory part and gone straight to the performance. It’s hard to say whether these global tariffs are meant to negotiate a new […]
While the world threw cash at “revenge travel” post-pandemic, we steered clear of airline stocks. They’re capital-intensive, cyclical, and full of turbulence—not our cup of tea. (See our August 2, 2024, blog Air Canada Has Too Much Baggage) That said, travel remains a dominant theme, but we’re playing it differently. CAE is a Canadian company […]
Earlier this month, Hudson’s Bay Company (“The Bay”) filed for creditor protection. It’s a sad moment for many, especially for those who remember when it was one of Canada’s last remaining retail giants. After Eaton’s closed its doors in 1999, The Bay stood alone as the flagship domestic department store for Canadian shoppers. In 2006, […]
This week, we dive into North America’s auto industry with University of Toronto Professor Dimitry Anastakis, an industry expert and author of Dream Car. As Professor Anastakis explains, it took decades to build an integrated North American automotive supply chain. Today, automakers rely on a just-in-time inventory system, meaning parts arrive precisely when needed. Before […]
Each month, we select a handful of questions that were asked by clients or soon-to-be clients. We like to post our answers online because others may have that same question as well. Here are a few of the things we were asked about most recently. Question from Toronto: Does tax get triggered if there are […]
On January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire ignited in California’s Eaton Canyon, rapidly escalating into one of the state’s most catastrophic wildfires. Fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, the blaze ravaged over 14,000 acres, claimed 17 lives, and obliterated approximately 10,000 structures, including homes, businesses, and schools. In anticipation of these disasters, California established a […]
Canada seems clearly under attack by our southern “neighbours”. While the best-performing stocks over the past decade have mostly been U.S.-based, we’ve bucked the trend and are overweight in Canadian equities. Lately, we’re beginning to observe a home country bias. Maple Leaf Foods, which our clients own, reported a strong quarter earlier this week. Its […]
