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Market recap and insights on recent market moves

Embark’s Head of Investments shares regular market recaps to help families understand what moved the markets—and what it could mean for education savings.

About Yelena Stepanyan, CFA, MBA

Yelena Stepanyan, CFA, MBA, is Head of Investments at Embark, overseeing approximately CAD $6.4 billion. With 25+ years in finance, she leads investment strategy, asset allocation, external manager oversight, new product development, and customer education. Yelena holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School and is a CFA Charterholder. She previously served as Chair of the Institutional Asset Management Committee at CFA Society Toronto and is a member of the Secondary School Relations Committee.

Outside of work, Yelena is a proud mother of three who strongly believes in education savings. She speaks four languages and is active in the community, giving back as a leader.

Latest Market Recaps

Market Recap* – Week of June 1, 2026

Markets moved lower over the week, driven by stronger U.S. economic data reinforcing higher interest rate expectations. Equities and bonds declined, while money markets remained stable and the Canadian dollar weakened against a stronger U.S. dollar.

Market Recap* – May, 2026

Markets moved higher overall in May, driven by strong equity performance and solid corporate earnings despite renewed inflation concerns. Bonds edged up on easing core inflation, while the Canadian dollar weakened amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Market Recap* – Week of May 18, 2026

Markets moved higher overall, driven by broad equity gains and improving sentiment around U.S.-Iran developments. Bonds edged up on softer core inflation, while the Canadian dollar weakened against the U.S. dollar.

Market Recap* – Week of May 11, 2026

Canadian equities declined while U.S. markets gained amid inflation concerns and rising rate expectations. Bonds weakened, money markets remained stable, and the Canadian dollar softened against a stronger U.S. dollar.

Market Recap* – Week of May 4, 2026

Canadian and U.S. equities both rose, with the TSX topping 34,000 and the S&P 500 reaching a new record, while bonds edged higher, money markets remained stable, and the Canadian dollar weakened against the U.S. dollar.

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