Markets Report - Q1 2018
When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees.
- Joseph Joubert, French essayist, 1754 - 1824
April 26, 2018
Dear Client,
In contrast to the relative market calm of 2017, volatility returned to equity markets in the first quarter of this year. Most global markets dropped sharply in early February, with some falling into correction territory (a decline of 10% or more). The initial decline was apparently due to market participants’ concern about rising inflation based on strong U.S. economic data.
Though they recovered somewhat over the ensuing weeks, equity indexes remained choppy through February and March, and many finished the period with negative returns in local currency terms. The S&P 500 Index, a broad measure of U.S. stocks, lost 0.8%, the MSCI World Index fell about 1.2% and developed markets in Europe also declined. Markets in Asia were mixed. Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index underperformed its global counterparts, losing 4.5% during the three-month period. The Canadian benchmark is heavily weighted toward sectors that exhibited weak performance for the quarter, such as energy and materials. It also has modest representation in information technology, which outperformed.
The Canadian dollar fell 2.7% relative to the U.S. dollar over the first quarter. As a result, many foreign markets were positive when expressed in Canadian dollars. Including dividends, the S&P 500 Index gained 2.0% and the MSCI World Index was up 1.6% in Canadian dollar terms.
After raising rates in January, the Bank of Canada announced it was maintaining the target for its key overnight interest rate at 1.25% at its meeting on March 7. The central bank raised concerns about the heightened uncertainties surrounding international trade. The U.S. Federal Reserve under new Chairman Jerome Powell raised its target range for the federal funds rate by a quarter point to 1.5-1.75% during its March 2018 meeting. This was in line with market expectations, based on a stronger U.S. economic outlook.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose in the quarter, reflecting the market’s expectations for continued growth and higher interest rates, while Canadian government bond yields were up slightly. Rising yields are generally negative for the prices of bonds and other income securities, and as a result, the FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index, which reflects a wide range of Canadian government and corporate bonds, had a gain of just 0.1% for the quarter.
The re-emergence of equity volatility in the first quarter may have surprised some investors, but it represented a return to normal. In fact, 2017 was unusual for its relative stability. During the month of February 2018, the S&P/TSX Composite Index had three trading days in which losses were greater than 1.50%, while 2017 only had two trading days during the entire year in which losses were greater than 1.50%[i] .
Going Forward
It’s important to remember that market declines are a natural part of investing. Such market movements often present experienced portfolio managers with their best investment opportunities, while passive strategies will remain exposed to the fluctuations of the entire market. It’s also worth noting that this bout of volatility was not driven by a change to company fundamentals. Overall, business prospects remain solid, with continued economic growth, strong confidence levels and favourable U.S. tax reforms.
The developments in the first quarter remind us that markets are highly complex, dynamic, interconnected, and emotional entities. Given that short-term pullbacks are an expected part of investing, I continue to recommend a long-term, diversified strategy tailored to your specific financial goals.
2018 Federal Budget
A new Federal Budget was released on February 27, 2018. This year’s budget was focused on pay equity, innovation and research investments, and multiple tax changes related to small businesses in Canada (specifically Canadian controlled private corporations or CCPCs). If you wish to receive more information on the specific changes, please let me know and I can send you a more detailed report. Other than an enhanced tax credit for eligible low-income earners, renamed as the Canada Workers Benefit, what was missing from the new Federal Budget was greater tax relief for most Canadians. That is why it is so important to use the tax saving measures available from Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA), Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and resource based flow through limited partnerships. Use it before you lose it.
RRSP or TFSA or mortgage?
The most asked question I hear has 3 common words and a question mark at the end: “Mortgage, TFSA or RRSP?” I would like to give you a short answer but there are no short answers. To quote once again (and for the last time this year) the late French essayist Joseph Joubert, “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” Everyone’s situation is different, and you need to look very carefully at the facts and numbers to determine which solution is best for you. Your tax rate now and in retirement; the interest rate you pay on your mortgage and any other debt owing; the amount of RRSP or TFSA contribution room you have; the expected rate of return on your investments: and, if you have a pension plan through work. All are factors in making this determination, along with the usual mix of emotions and past experiences. Call me and together we can figure out which solution is best for you.
And as a reminder, if your financial situation has changed or if you are about to reach a major milestone, or if you have any questions about the markets or your investment portfolio, please contact me or my assistant Susan at 519-432-6744. I would love to hear from you.
Thank you again for the continued opportunity to work with you as your financial advisor.
Sincerely,
Mark McConnell, BA (Economics), DipBIS
Senior Investment Advisor
Mandeville Private Client Inc. is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
This publication contains the opinion of the writer. The information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by the writer, Mandeville or any other person as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness.The information in this letter is derived from various sources, including CI Investments, Signature Global Asset Management, Cambridge Global Asset Management, Globe and Mail, National Post, Bloomberg, Yahoo Canada Finance, and Trading Economics. Index information was provided by TD Newcrest and PC Bond, and all quoted equity index returns are on a total return basis (including dividends). Before acting on any of the above, please contact me for individual financial advice based on your personal circumstances.
[i] For February 2018, the days are February 2 (-1.61%), February 5 (-1.74%) and February 8 (-1.73%). For 2017, the days are May 17 (-1.73%) and February 24 (-1.53%). There were only 5 days with losses greater than 1% in 2017; for the first quarter of 2018 in total there were 11 days with losses of greater than 1%.