A few topics our newsletter touches on this week:

• Our Thoughts
• New Wealth Management Online System – Launched June 6^th, 2020
• 10 Minute Take Topics: Pro Sports, Oil Production, Return of Volatility
• Distraction Content – In Case You Missed It

Photo from the field (above): Peter planting beans last week as a Community Harvest volunteer with Ottawa Food Bank. Interested in Helping? Learn more here.

Our Thoughts

This week was marked by a return of volatility driven by renewed concern over the coronavirus. The debate facing investors centers around whether a resurgence of the virus is occurring in the US. At a national level, this does not appear to be the case but several states have witnessed increases in new case volumes & hospitalization rates over the past week.

The reemergence of volatility is a reminder that the path of the economic recovery will be uneven, and the economy may remain below its full potential for some time to come. Jerome Powell, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve said as much this week when he indicated that the pace of recovery remains “extraordinarily uncertain” and depends heavily on the ability to successfully contain the virus.

In navigating these markets the task remains the same - staying disciplined in decision making, focusing on long-term objectives, and not getting influenced by the short-term swings in sentiment and prices. While we watch the week to week developments closely, and are constantly monitoring our portfolios, we remain committed to our long-term approach that is focused on proper planning, asset allocation, rebalancing, and regular reviews of all positions.

New Wealth Management Online – Launched June 6^th, 2020

Last weekend RBC Dominion Securities launched the new Wealth Management Online to improve your ability to keep track of your investments. You can also view and save your eDocuments, make real-time fund transfers, communicate securely with us, view RBC market reports, and more. Visit our blog page for a recent post that includes walk through information, FAQs and Help Desk contact if you have trouble connecting.

The 10 Minute Take – RBC Podcast Series *new episodes*

New podcast episodes will get posted regularly to discuss various issues front and center during the COVID-19 crisis. You can jump to a specific episode from the links below, with easy access to past episodes as well.

• June 8: Can pro sports make a comeback?
• June 10: The geopolitics of OPEC+ oil cuts
• June 12: How renewed COVID-19 fears rattled stock markets

Distraction Content – Some Good News

In case you missed it:

• Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, which sees more than 17,000 racers each year, was of course cancelled due to COVID-19 in May, but you and your family can still participate by running virtually (including getting a race bib, a medal & submitting your time) until September 7^th – find out more here. You can also support any number of charities that are participating in the virtual run.
• There is some confusion about what is actually open as Stage 2 of Ontario’s re-opening plan begins for a large part of the province – overview of what is opening here.
• Wide Open School is an American-based aggregation resource that generates content/schedules/learning tools for your kids/grandkids that may have missed significant school and are now heading into summer.

Our team is here for you

We are happy to run our next meeting with you by video conference (WebEx Meetings) rather than by phone if you so choose. We also continue to be available if you have friends or family who might be seeking a consult on their portfolio, wealth or estate planning goals.

Regards,

 

Mark, Peter, Sarah, Corinne & Andrea