Market Recap* – Week of Nov 17
Canadian and US equities dipped, bonds were slightly negative, money markets stayed steady, and a weaker Canadian dollar modestly helped unhedged foreign holdings for younger and balanced portfolios.
Market recap
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 Nov 10
Canadian and U.S. equities posted modest gains, bonds and money markets stayed flat, and CAD was unchanged as investors balanced stronger tech and commodities with caution over rates and growth.
Market Recap* – Week of Nov 3
Canadian stocks slipped as growth and commodity concerns weighed on resource names, while U.S. shares pulled back on softer sentiment. Bonds held steady, and the Canadian dollar was little changed.
Market Recap* – October
Canadian equities +0.97% after a 25 bps BoC cut to 2.25%; U.S. equities +2.34% after a Fed cut to 3.75%–4.00%. Bonds returned 0.69%, and a weaker CAD (1.3981) modestly lifted international holdings.
Market Recap* – Week of October 20
Canadian stocks rose modestly while U.S. equities advanced on softer inflation; bonds were stable. A slightly stronger CAD and steady money markets aided near-maturity cohorts, with equity gains most beneficial to younger, equity-heavy investors.