The Canadian Investor

Markets remain highly volatile as the Iran conflict drives one of the largest oil supply disruptions in decades. We break down what’s happening in energy markets, why this shock could last longer than expected, and how it may impact global growth, inflation, and investor portfolios. We then shift to actionable ideas, discussing ETFs and sectors that could help navigate this environment, including energy, utilities, consumer staples, and defense. We also explain why Canadian oil producers like Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor, and Cenovus may be particularly well positioned given the current backdrop. Finally, we debate Wealthsimple’s new prediction markets feature and whether it crosses the line from investing into gambling. Is this just the evolution of retail investing—or a step too far? Tickers discussed:CNQ.TO, SU.TO, CVE.TO, IMO.TO, ZEO.TO, XEG.TO, VDE, XLE, ZUT.TO, XUT.TO, VPU, XST.TO, STPL.TO, ZXLP.TO, XAD.TO, SHLD.TO   Subscribe to our Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets remain highly volatile as tensions in the Middle East continue to drive sharp swings across equities, bonds, and commodities. We break down how rising oil prices and inflation expectations are impacting different sectors, why the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are down year-to-date, and how diversification is helping investors navigate the current environment. We then turn to private credit, where issues continue to surface. A KKR fund gets downgraded to junk, more funds are limiting redemptions, and Blackstone’s BCRED reports a rare monthly loss. We discuss why these assets can appear stable on the surface and the risks tied to how they’re valued. On the earnings side, Dollarama reports solid results but sells off on weaker guidance and high expectations. Lululemon continues to struggle in North America despite strong international growth, while trying to fix product and execution issues. We wrap with Oracle, which is aggressively investing in AI infrastructure, raising questions around heavy spending, debt, and potential dilution. Tickers discussed:  KKR, BX, DOL.TO, LULU, ORCL   Subscribe to our Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we break down what goeasy’s collapse could signal for the broader Canadian economy and banking sector. We revisit past Canadian bank failures, connect them to today’s rising job losses and economic weakness, and explain why subprime lenders tend to crack first in a downturn. We also discuss whether Canadian banks could face headwinds after a strong run, and compare Goeasy to Propel to assess risks across alternative lenders. Tickers: GSY.TO, PRL.TO, RY.TO, NA.TO, CM.TO Subscribe to our Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bank of Canada kept rates unchanged, but the bigger story may be just how stuck policymakers are becoming. We discuss weakening growth, stubborn pockets of inflation, higher energy prices, and what the latest CPI data says about the Canadian economy. We also break down Alimentation Couche-Tard’s latest earnings and why the market was underwhelmed despite decent headline growth. Same-store sales, consumer pressure, and slowing organic momentum remain key issues. We then turn to Adobe and The Trade Desk, looking at Adobe’s AI strategy and leadership transition, and why new concerns around Trade Desk are putting added pressure on investor confidence. Tickers discussed: ATD, ADBE, TTD   Subscribe to Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Canadian Investor Podcast, we break down Constellation Software’s latest earnings and conference call, including what management had to say about AI, software pricing, acquisition strategy, and why the company may be looking more closely at public market opportunities. We then shift to the growing stress in private credit. We discuss new data showing record default rates in 2025, redemption pressure hitting major private credit funds, and what recent moves by BlackRock and Blackstone may be signaling for the broader market. We also talk about the incentives behind private credit funds, liquidity risks, and why many investors may not fully understand what they own. Finally, we wrap up with Canadian Natural Resources’ latest results, highlighting strong production growth, free cash flow, dividend growth, and why elevated oil prices continue to support the Canadian energy sector. Tickers mentioned: CSU.TO, SABR, BLK, BX, CNQ.TO   Subscribe to our Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Canadian Investor Podcast, we break down the stunning collapse in Goeasy after the company shocked investors with a major financial update ahead of earnings. What was expected to be a gradual deterioration turned into a full-blown blow-up, with sharply higher charge-offs, a suspended dividend and buyback program, withdrawn guidance, potential restatements of past financials, and debt covenant issues that could become existential for the business. We walk through the key details from the release, why the market reacted so violently, and why the company’s comments around LendCare, delinquent loans, and prior reporting practices raise even more questions. We also revisit the red flags we had been discussing for months, including ballooning interest receivables, aggressive loan book growth, and the growing disconnect between goeasy’s reported performance and the broader credit environment. To finish on a more positive note, we also discuss strong results from Franco-Nevada and what higher gold prices could mean for the royalty giant going forward. Tickers discussed: GSY.TO, FNV.TO   Watch the full video on Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Canadian Investor Podcast, Simon Belanger and Dan Kent kick things off with a surprising ripple effect from the AI boom: a full-blown RAM/memory shortage that’s sending PC upgrade costs through the roof. They break down why high-bandwidth memory (HBM) is crowding out “normal” consumer RAM production, how Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix are prioritizing the most profitable AI-driven demand, and what that could mean for pricing, upgrade cycles, and the broader tech supply chain. From there, they shift into a pragmatic, investor-focused look at positioning during geopolitical uncertainty—without cheerleading conflict. Dan outlines key areas investors often look at in these environments: defense contractors (and why buying after the headlines can be “buying the umbrella in the rain”), Canadian energy as a cleaner way to express higher oil prices with less Middle East exposure, the growing (and expensive) opportunity set in cybersecurity, and gold as both a safe haven and an inflation hedge. They also touch on different ways to gain exposure—individual names vs. ETFs—and wrap up with updates on the podcast’s YouTube live plans and what’s coming next. Tickers of Stocks discussed: LMT, NOC, GD, RTX, MU, AEM, FNV, WPM, ZJG.TO   Subscribe to our Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our very first YouTube Live (also released on the podcast feed), we pivot from a planned “all-banks” episode after major U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran pushed markets into risk-off mode. We break down the key market transmission mechanism—energy—through the Strait of Hormuz, rising shipping risk, and why yields can rise during conflict when inflation expectations jump. From there, we shift into what Canadian investors actually own: the banks. We recap earnings and credit trends across Royal Bank (RBC), TD, National Bank (NA), and CIBC, including loan/deposit momentum, net interest margin commentary, and what provisions/allowances are signaling. We also discuss the “do nothing” historical playbook for geopolitical shocks—plus why oil-driven conflicts can be the exception—and wrap with how we’re thinking about positioning (cash, Canadian energy exposure, and watching for opportunities if volatility expands). Tickers mentioned: RY.TO, TD.TO, NA.TO, CM.TO, LMT, RTX, NOC.   Watch the full video on Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They unpack a provocative Citrini Research scenario where rampant AI adoption could boost productivity while hollowing out wages and demand. The conversation traces how SaaS seat cuts, AI shopping agents, and payment shifts could ripple through platforms, private credit, insurance, and white‑collar housing markets. They end with policy ideas like taxing AI compute and household supports.

Simon and Dan kick off with a quick update on the Canadian Investor Podcast’s first YouTube Live (March 3rd at noon ET). Then it’s straight into the GoEasy saga: Q4 earnings get pushed right up near the regulatory deadline, adding to a growing list of red flags around leadership turnover and loan-book quality. Simon and Dan explain why, like poker, you can’t cherry-pick the information you like. Next, Canadian Tire shows momentum: improving comps, margin expansion, and buybacks doing the heavy lifting—plus a look at rising credit-card write-offs and how the company is using AI to sharpen promos and inventory. They also dig into Blue Owl as private credit stress goes mainstream—redemptions, asset sales, and “par value” optics in a mark-to-model world. Finally, Home Depot remains stuck in a slow renovation cycle, leaning harder into the pro/distribution channel through acquisitions as higher rates weigh on demand. Tickers discussed: GSY, CTC.A, OWL, BAM, BN, HD, BRK.B Watch the full video on Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.