2023 - The Year In Review. Investors faced many challenges in 2023 including elevated inflation, interest rate hikes, geopolitical conflicts, and a slowing global economy. Those who were patient and rode out the volatility were rewarded.

What has changed in our view? Higher than usual volatility will likely be with us for some time. A lumpy return profile is likely ahead of us as investors price in flat to negative earnings growth.

Since the beginning of the year, we have seen stock markets grind lower with most broad based markets now down nearly 20% year-to-date. It's therefore natural that human behaviour would make us pause with concern. During these turbulent times, investors are often asking themselves, "Should I cash out and just go to cash? When will the bleeding stop? Is my retirement in jeopardy?".

The U.S. economy surprisingly contracted by 1.4%, on a seasonally adjusted and annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2022. The consensus expectation for Q1 GDP, according to Bloomberg, was for a 1% gain, much slower than Q4 2021 GDP of 6.9%.While the number was negative, there were some positive components to the final number...

March 2022 The U.S. Federal Reserve increased interest rates for the first time in more than three years and has indicated that they plan on increasing rates in subsequent meetings, depending on the data. Here is our take. [Manulife Investment Management]

An uphill start to 2022: War in Ukraine and Fed rate tightening. The first few months of 2022 have been rough for investors.

The investment landscape during the past couple of years has looked a bit like that of a road trip, complete with detours and bumps along the way.

One of the best examples of eternal optimism is author J.K. Rowling’s success story. Her original Harry Potter novel was rejected 12 times before it was published. Despite these setbacks, Rowling never stopped believing in her idea. She was ultimately rewarded for her perseverance, and more often than not, investors are rewarded for their optimism...

The global economy led by the U.S. continues its gradual recovery—supported by economic reopening and COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Stronger consumption is expected through 2021 fueled by consumers with excess savings and pent-up demand for goods and services...