RTA Financial Inc.

03/03/2026

It is completely natural to feel a sense of unease when global headlines are dominated by conflict; as humans, our instinct is to protect what we’ve built. However, history consistently shows that the market’s reaction to geopolitical strife is often sharp but short-lived.

By staying invested, you avoid the "double-loss" of exiting at a low and missing the subsequent recovery, which frequently begins while the news still feels bleak. A long-term approach transforms these periods of volatility from "threats" into "noise," allowing the underlying strength of a diversified portfolio to weather the storm. Discipline, rather than timing, is the most reliable engine for wealth preservation.

Why Perspective Matters

To help visualize this, it’s useful to look at how markets have historically behaved during major global disruptions. Even during the most significant conflicts of the last century, the long-term upward trajectory of the market remained intact.

Key Reminders for Your Strategy

Markets are Forward-Looking: Prices often bake in the "worst-case scenario" early on. By the time the situation stabilizes, the market has usually already begun its climb.

Time In, Not Timing: Missing just a few of the market's best days—which often occur immediately following a downturn—can significantly erode your lifetime returns.

Diversification is Your Shield: While specific sectors may be hit harder by conflict, a broad allocation ensures that your entire financial future isn't tied to a single geographic region or industry.

The Bottom Line: We build your financial plan specifically to withstand these moments. Your portfolio isn't just a collection of numbers; it's a structural response to the reality that the world is unpredictable.

03/03/2026

They say the best investment you can make is in yourself. 📈

​At the start of 2026, I set a goal to read 6 books for the entire year. Well, it’s only March, and I’ve already hit that milestone! 📖

​Reading keeps my perspective fresh and my strategies sharp for my clients. If I can crush this goal in Q1, it makes me wonder what else we can achieve before December.

​What are you reading lately? Give me some recommendations for my new goal! 👇

​

02/07/2026

Not bad ChatGPT! It knows me well.



Robert T. Anderson

12/24/2025

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours! 🎄



Robert T. Anderson

04/04/2025

In light of the economic turbulence following Donald Trump’s Liberation Day yesterday, the CI GAM investment team has provided key insights on what transpired and potential implications going forward.

Summary: Navigating the U.S. Trade War

The U.S. has announced broad reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), citing the persistent trade deficit as a national emergency. Starting April 5, a 10% baseline tariff applies to all imports, with higher tariffs from April 9 on countries which the U.S. has a large trade deficit—including China (54%) (a 34% increase on top of an existing 20% tariff), Vietnam (46%), and the EU (20%). Canada and Mexico are not subject to the new reciprocal tariffs but remain under a separate IEEPA order, facing 25% tariffs on all non-USMCA-compliant exports, plus existing steel, aluminum, and auto tariffs.

Economic Impact & Outlook

U.S.: The average tariff rate will exceed 20%, a level not seen since the early 1900s. Tariffs will disrupt supply chains, increase inflation, lower real income growth, and reduce consumer spending. U.S. businesses have front-loaded imports ahead of the tariffs, boosting Q1 GDP but setting up a potential slowdown later. Consumer sentiment has already deteriorated due to trade uncertainty, and spending growth has slowed sharply.

Canada: Exports surged in Q1, increasing Canada’s trade surplus with the U.S. However, uncertainty is suppressing business investment, with nearly 50% of firms cutting capital expenditures. A slowdown is expected in Q2 as exports pull back. The Bank of Canada is unlikely to counteract tariff-related inflation with aggressive rate cuts.

Global: Other countries may retaliate, exacerbating market instability and economic slowdown risks. The U.S. executive order states that any retaliation could result in even higher U.S. tariffs.

Investment Considerations:

Investors should take a long-term approach, balancing capital protection with identifying opportunities amid economic adjustments. The next few months will determine whether tariffs escalate or de-escalate.

03/11/2025

This is a great reminder to sit back and look at the Big Picture. Investing isn't always a straight line, but charts like this help put every other crisis into perspective. Those that buy and hold, win!

It's not about timing the market, but about time in the market. Great opportunities are presenting themselves for those who keep it into perspective.

It's time for a deal!

Robert T. Anderson

10/30/2024

Worried about the US Election impacting your portfolio?

This chart puts it all into perspective as long-term investing pays off no matter who's in the White House.

US Election Key Notes:

- Contrasting Economic Agendas: Trump focuses on personal income tax cuts, lower corporate taxes, aggressive tariffs, and strict immigration, while Harris prioritizes tax relief for lower income earners, higher corporate taxes, family and small business incentives, and a balanced trade and immigration stance. Both candidates’ proposed policies are seen as inflationary, with Trump’s agenda expected to result in greater shorter-term inflationary pressures.

- Economic Fundamentals Over Politics: While Trump’s pro-corporate tax cuts and deregulation may boost market sentiment and Harris’s policies on taxes and regulation could weigh on corporate profits, historical evidence shows that broader economic factors like growth, monetary policy, and corporate earnings drive long-term market performance more than the political party in power.

- Historically, the period leading up to U.S. presidential elections is marked by increased volatility; however, this volatility typically subsides once the election outcome becomes clear.



Courtesy: CI Global Asset Management

10/13/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!



Robert T. Anderson

10/09/2024

Yesterday we attended the Mackenzie Investments 2024 Fall Due Diligence conference at Whistle Bear Golf Club, where portfolio managers and investment experts shared their insights into current market trends and discussed opportunities to help our clients navigate the road ahead.

Economic resilience in the US has so far supported investment growth. But volatility remains a factor, and lower growth rates are anticipated. Whatever may arise, our clients are best served by remaining in the market.

08/06/2024

Global equity markets experienced heavy volatility and ended the week lower. Sentiment soured based on relatively weak economic results and investor concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) may be waiting too long before lowering interest rates. The S&P/TSX Composite Index declined, seeing weakness in the Information Technology sector. U.S. equities posted a loss over the week. Yields on 10-year government bonds in Canada and the U.S. declined. Oil prices fell, while the price of gold advanced.

Central banks in the spotlight

Several central banks came into the spotlight, going in divergent directions amid different economic conditions in each respective economy.

The Fed held its federal funds rate steady at a target range of 5.25%-5.50%. The Fed believes a restrictive rate is still needed but signalled its intention to begin lowering interest rates, which markets expect will be in September.
In the U.K., the Bank of England lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, largely in response to slowing inflation and soft economic growth.

The Bank of Japan (“BoJ”) went in the opposite direction, raising interest rates from a range of 0.00%-0.10% to 0.25%. This was the BoJ’s second rate increase in 2024 amid elevated inflationary pressures.

By the end of the year, monetary policy in the U.S. and U.K. will be looser than at the beginning of the year, which could ease some pressure and help lift consumer and business activity.

Canada’s economy expands in May

Statistics Canada (“StatsCan”) reported that Canada’s gross domestic product (“GDP”) grew by 0.2% in May, outpacing the 0.1% growth economists had expected.

This marked the third straight month of growth, benefiting from an uptick in utilities and construction sectors.

Conversely, household spending pulled back in May with consumers grappling with tight financial conditions. Weaker consumer spending activity helped the Bank of Canada (“BoC”) decide to lower rates in June and July.
StatsCan estimated that Canada’s economy grew by 0.1% in June, which points to an annualized growth of 2.2% over the second quarter.

Still, the data points to an economy running below potential, which could keep the BoC on a path of cutting interest rates.

U.S. labour market losing steam

The U.S. economy added 114,000 jobs in July, well below the 179,00 job additions in June and economists’ expectations of 175,000 job additions.
Job gains in the health care and transportation industries were partially offset by a decline in jobs in the educational services industry.

The U.S. unemployment rate moved higher to 4.3% in July from 4.1% in June. This marked the highest jobless rate in the U.S. since October 2021.

The weaker U.S. labour market report raised expectations of a potential rate cut from the Fed this year, perhaps as early as September.

Weekly commentary – For the week ended August 2 courtesy CLIM.

Send a message to learn more

06/21/2024

Yesterday we were excited to support & participate in the SARI Therapeutic Riding Golf Tournament at Riverbend golf course.

Despite the heat we had a lot of fun helping SARI to raise crucial funding needed to continue they great work the do in our community.