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.
Canadian stocks fell as geopolitical uncertainty and elevated oil prices weighed on sentiment, while U.S. equities rose on strong tech and semiconductor earnings. Bonds edged lower, money markets stayed steady, and the Canadian dollar was little changed.
Canadian and U.S. stocks rose as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz eased inflation fears and improved sentiment. Bonds also gained, money markets stayed steady, and a stronger Canadian dollar slightly weighed on foreign holdings.
Canadian stocks and the S&P 500 rose as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire improved sentiment and eased inflation fears. Bonds also gained, money markets edged up, and a stronger Canadian dollar weighed slightly on foreign holdings.
Markets experienced significant volatility in March amid escalating war in the Middle East. Canadian equities declined 4.3%, U.S. equities fell 5%, Canadian bonds declined 2%, money market instruments returned 0.16%, and the Canadian dollar weakened in March.
Canadian stocks rose modestly as energy and mining shares held up amid elevated oil and gold prices, while U.S. stocks fell for a fifth straight week. Bonds edged lower, money markets stayed positive, and a weaker Canadian dollar gave a small lift to foreign holdings.
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