This New Year mini-series aims to assist investors in establishing a clear strategy for 2026 while avoiding the distractions of market noise. In six concise episodes, Mike and Vero analyze the market landscape of 2025, potential disruptions in 2026, safe investment strategies in high-yield stocks, and methods to enhance your investing process for greater confidence.
*[Note: This content serves informational and educational purposes only and is not personal financial advice.]
Series Introduction: Investing in 2026 (Jan 1st)
Mike and Vero kick off the series with a brief overview of its themes, highlighting the significance of your investment approach over market predictions and introducing a complimentary webinar on January 8th that will delve into these concepts.
Key Insights:
– The onset of a new year presents an excellent chance to reassess your strategy, regardless of the long-term nature of investing.
– The market will operate autonomously; your distinct advantage lies in maintaining a consistent process.
– The mini-series delivers critical insights, while the webinar provides an extensive framework and Q&A.
Investing in 2026 Free Webinar:
Uncertain About Investing in 2026? Find Your Answers Here!
Each year, a specialized investment webinar is developed based on economic data to assist investors. Participants last year were eager for substantial investments in infrastructure, energy, and AI throughout 2025, prepared to leverage the bullish market. Join the free webinar on Thursday, January 8th, at 1 pm ET for essential insights for 2026. This is the year’s most awaited webinar; come prepared with your questions for an extensive Q&A session on stocks, strategies, and the economic variables influencing your investments. Reserve Your Spot Now! Limited live seats available; all participants receive a free instant replay.
Market Review: What Lies Ahead? (Jan 2nd)
A summary of 2025, stressing why “remaining on the sidelines” can often result in higher costs than safety. It discusses Canada’s unexpected superior performance, the AI influence across various sectors, and warnings against narratives that might mislead investors.
Key Insights:
– Three consecutive years of double-digit growth can lead to complacency, resulting in misguided timing decisions.
– Canada’s strengths were fueled by banks, life insurers, gold miners, and utility/industrial sectors.
– AI’s influence is growing beyond technology, gradually permeating different sectors and portfolios.
Risks in 2026 and Portfolio Protection Strategies (Jan 5th)
A crucial “seatbelt” discussion focusing on market corrections, bear markets, and crisis scenarios, underscoring that fearing timing is unwise—adequate preparation is essential.
Key Insights:
– It’s vital to comprehend the definitions: correction (down 10%+), bear market (down 20%+), crisis (widespread and draining).
– AI risks include infrastructure investment and intricate partnerships, not just valuation.
– Tariffs and consumer pressures may influence particular sectors like consumer discretionary and industrials.
– Effective “protection” consists of identifying risk exposure and applying strategic rules, rather than cash accumulation.
What “Protection” Entails:
– Clearly defined asset/sector/stock allocation choices.
– Established buy and sell guidelines.
– A commitment you can maintain during market volatility.
3 Safe High-Yield Opportunities for 2026 (Jan 6th)
High yields can simplify the math of your returns but may also present dividend traps. Mike points out three stocks he considers “deluxe bonds” and provides a checklist to recognize secure income from potential pitfalls.
Discussed Stocks:
– Enbridge (ENB): Reliable contracts, essential energy infrastructure, consistent dividends with modest growth.
– Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ): Quality assets, financial stability, shareholder-focused capital returns, notable performance during challenging periods.
– VICI Properties (VICI): Specializes in long-term leases with inflation adjustments and favorable locations, but carries economic sensitivity risks.
How to Identify “Safe” High Yield:
– Treat yields over 5% as signals for rigorous examination.
– Employ the Dividend Triangle.
– Steer clear of high yields without growth, which often indicate payout ratio stress and potential dividend reductions.
– Even seasoned “bond-like” stocks require growth to avoid falling into traps.
2026 Strategy Overview (Jan 7th)
Highlighting a methodical approach to portfolio management, establishing rules for continued simplicity and improved decision-making, leading to a portfolio you’re proud to possess.
Key Strategy Overview Highlights:
– Diversification serves both an offensive and defensive role.
– Assess “weaker” holdings.
– Regularly refresh your investment thesis—if a compelling story lacks metrics to support it, it may be a warning sign.
– Regulate overweight winners without drastically cutting positions.
– Keep a replacement list to facilitate smoother selling, driven by the excitement of strategic updates.
– Retirees should maintain a cash reserve to cover the income gap for about 2-3 years.
Four Dividend Growth Stocks from My Exclusive List (Jan 8th)
Using the Dividend Rock Stars list to identify