Through its website and daily newsletters, The Peak (a ZoomerMedia property) offers Canadians the news they need to understand business, tech, and other must-know stories.
In this round-up, find out how researchers showed that shrinkflation – products in grocery stores getting smaller – is really happening, and which products they flagged as some of the worst offenders. Plus, introducing weekend cruise ship getaways and the idea of a digital loonie.
For Canadian Investors, There’s No Place Like Home
Canadian investors often favour homegrown investments, but a recent report warns against going all-in on domestic stocks. Canadian companies make up 2.6 per cent of the global market but they dominate about half of Canadian investment portfolios, according to Vanguard Canada. “Canadians have a home bias,” Ashish Dewan, portfolio consultant at Vanguard Canada, told Peak Money. He pointed out that Canadians feel more comfortable about domestic companies, which makes us lean towards investing in them. Dewan cautioned that if you’re younger and aiming for long-term growth, putting all your money in Canadian stocks might not be the smartest move. Having too much invested in one country means you’re more exposed to risks if something goes wrong in that market, especially since Canada’s market is heavily weighted in sectors like energy, banking, and materials. In Canada, the top 10 holdings make up a huge chunk of the stock market — more than 38 per cent. Compare that to the global market, where the top 10 holdings from everywhere only make up about 12 per cent. So if those Canadian giants take a hit, your portfolio could suffer big time. Vanguard’s advice? Aim for a balanced portfolio. They suggest putting only around 30 per cent of your equity investments in Canadian stocks, with the rest international. — Meera Raman
How Do You Like Them (New) Apples?
Like skinny jeans and ankle socks, McIntosh and Red Delicious apples are old-fashioned.
Driving the news: Italian agriculture company Sanifrutta unveiled Lilibet, a new apple variety that’s easy to grow and ripens fast. It’s the latest variety to enter the competitive apple marketplace as breeders race to develop tastier, more resilient varieties.
In Canada: New apples approved for sale over the past year include Snowflake — which seeks to take Honeycrisp’s title of tastiest apple — and the non-browning Arctic Gala, developed to reduce food waste.
Why it matters: Apples continued to be one of Canada’s most popular fruits last year, with sales rising 2.9 per cent as shoppers shelled out more for flashier varieties. Despite this, production dropped by 3.7 per cent, largely due to the continued decline of B.C.’s apple-growing regions.
- This disparity between demand and barriers to production illuminates the need for new varieties that can handle climate challenges and meet consumer tastes.
Yes, but: Launching a new apple variety often takes over 20 years, and there’s no guarantee that it’ll take off. “Picking new apple varieties is a bit like picking for the stock market,” one farmer told Ontario Apple Growers. “[They] could either pay off well or completely flop.” — Quinn Henderson
Should You Lease or Buy Your New Car?
Don’t let that new car smell cloud your judgment when it comes to deciding whether to buy or lease your wheels. There are pros and cons to both. Leasing can mean lower monthly payments, the freedom to switch up your car to keep up to date with the latest models, and less upfront cash. Watch out if you drive long distances, though — lease agreements often have strict mileage limits that cost you if you go over, as well as charges for scratches and dents. If you’re looking to get a luxury car or an electric vehicle, leasing might be the way to go, given the depreciation on lux cars (which is typically 15 per cent to 20 per cent) and the quickly evolving tech on EVs. On the flip side, buying means higher monthly payments upfront, but those payments stop once you’ve paid off the car, which typically takes three to five years. This works well for owners who don’t want or need the flexibility to change cars and plan to keep the vehicle for a long time. Plus, you’ve got no restrictions on mileage or customizations. If you’re eyeing an economy car, like your trusty four-door sedan, buying outright is often the more wallet-friendly choice. — Meera Raman
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