COMMENT
China-US 90-day pause in tariffs

We don't have a trade deal, but a pause with talks to come. It's complex. Nobody know how this will play out, but he expects a base rate of tariffs everywhere no matter the outcome, around 10%. The markets are comfortable with that level, but it's still inflationary and a hindrance to growth. Animal spirits is driving today's rally; the market did not expect this news. But the news is not a green light to fully jump into the market. Keep an eye on CPI, PPI and retail sales later this week, to reflect April's consumer activity during tariffs that month. Watch Walmart earnings which is a huge trading partner with China. This year, he expects earnings to disappoint and fall short of the projected 8% earnings growth. 

BUY

This hold short-term corporate bonds which yield a little more than the government equivalent, safe. You assume a little credit risk, not much

DON'T BUY

He doesn't recommend coin-based ETFs for clients, because they are volatile assets that may or may not be worth anything one day. Highly volatile, especially when using leverage.

BUY
Seeking 4% dividend in a money-market ETF

Gives exposure to the US with a lot less risk and tax-efficient distribution though it's market risk, not the safer money-market risk.

BUY
Seeking 4% dividend in a money-market ETF

Holds Canadian utilities, pipeline and telcos and pays over 7% with less correlation to the market, but it's equity risk, not money market risk.

BUY
A preferred share ETF

This is one consideration, but he has his own preferred ETF within his company, so he doesn't use others. Check to see if the ETF's exposure and tax implication suits you.

RISKY

An ETF with an options wrapper that generates extra yield, granting exposure to Coinbase. But this is highly volatile. How long go you want to hold it? 

RISKY

A quality Canadian dividend payer. The risk in any dividend stock is that the dividend can become too large for the company to pay, so they cut it, like BCE just did. He prefers ZWU.

BUY

This is a safer way to hold Enbridge, which this ETF holds. This holds diverse dividend payers from Canada and the US in utilities with a covered call overlay to generate extra income.

COMMENT
educational segment

He's looking at ETF charts of economically sensitive sectors during tariffs: transports, logistics and the retail consumer. Also is looking at charts of XPO and Walmart. All these ETFs are still lagging the wider market, despite some recovery during this tariff war. This underperformance tell him these sectors remain nervous. In contrast, Walmart has been a leader, no doubt, outperforming all these sectors. Looking at the VTI index (all US stocks): when this corrected last month, VTI returned to the Dec. 2021 peak. So, the market has had a very good reset and correction. However, it was a challenge to return to its 200-day moving average, though it happened with today's rally. We can close above this for a day or two. If we hold above this 200-day and the VIX returns to around 15, we don't need to worry about these economic headwinds. However, the sectors that have been impacted by tariffs tell a different story. The market has recovered through animal spirits, but we're not free and clear, not a green light. The market could grind higher, though.

BUY

Is a top food stock, despite selling a lot of chocolate (in the face of the weight-loss drugs). Pays a 3% dividend and is up 10% this year. The CEO has done a pretty good job.

STRONG BUY

Data just released says that LLY's weight-loss drug is far better than peer Novo Nordisk. Buy this hand over fist.

DON'T BUY

Though it trades at 10x PE, it remains in a highly competitive space, including Dell.

BUY

They beat estimates and raised their full-year forecast in funds from operation per share, and net operating income growth also strong. The report shows momentum. They pay a 4.6% dividend.

BUY

Pays a 4.8% dividend and return a lot of money to shareholders.