Insights: The Restaurant Industry
In his latest article, Tyler Freier breaks down how the food industry evolved in 2024 and what that means for 2025. With restaurant prices rising faster than groceries, more people are choosing to eat at home, forcing restaurants to compete harder for value-focused customers. Fast-casual chains like Chipotle and Cava stood out by offering affordable options without sacrificing quality, while traditional casual dining spots struggled to keep up. Tyler looks at how bankruptcies hit the industry hard and why brands that adapt quickly, through smart pricing, innovation, and leadership changes, are best positioned to succeed moving forward.
May Market Update
Here’s a quick recap of May:
Equities moved higher across the board:
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NASDAQ led with a 9.6% gain
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S&P 500 up 6.3%; TSX up 5.6%
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Top performers included Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta
Currency & commodities:
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The U.S. dollar continued to weaken
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Oil rose slightly; gold held steady
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Bitcoin jumped over 10%
In his latest article, Jackson Arender explores how small, committed groups can have a major influence on markets, a concept known as the “Minority Rule” from Taleb’s Skin in the Game. From plant-based diets to Bitcoin adoption, he explains how niche trends can lead to powerful investment opportunities.
April Market Update
Here's a quick recap of April:
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Markets kicked off with volatility after Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement, but quickly rebounded as the tone shifted.
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Equities were mixed:
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International stocks led, up 3.6%
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NASDAQ finished slightly positive; Dow Jones down over 3%
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Tech and Communication Services stood out: Palantir (+40%), Crowdstrike (+22%), Netflix (+21%), and Axon (+17%) were top performers
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Energy lagged as oil prices fell
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Bonds saw a slight dip (-0.5%)
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Currency and commodities highlights:
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The U.S. dollar declined more than 4%
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Oil dropped 18% (WTI below $60)
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Gold climbed 5%
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Bitcoin rose nearly 15%
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Yorkville Asset Management Inc. (“Yorkville”) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its acquisition of 21 long-term care homes from Revera, effective May 1, 2025.
March Market Update
A few key developments from March:
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Concerns around the Trump administration’s tariff path have heightened market volatility, with a further sell-off following official announcements in early April.
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The NASDAQ dropped over 8% in March, with Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors underperforming. Canadian equities were more resilient, buoyed by strength in Energy and Materials. Defensive sectors like Utilities and Healthcare gained traction.
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Fixed income saw modest declines as widening credit spreads signals growing caution, even as U.S. 10-year yields held steady.
A Letter for the CEO - The Case Against Tariffs
A Case Against Tariffs, Hussein Amad explains how rising tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices, slower economic growth, and increased global tension. Despite the uncertainty, he sees opportunity: Yorkville is actively using hedged strategies - such as selling puts on high-quality stocks - to manage downside risk while positioning for long-term upside.
Our CEO, Hussein Amad, shares his insights on these shifting dynamics in his letter, How to Thrive in a Changing World Order. He discusses the impact of U.S. policy on global markets, the growing importance of local investment, and how Yorkville is adapting its strategies - placing a strong emphasis on Canadian healthcare and long-term care investments to generate sustainable growth and returns.
TORONTO – March 24, 2025 – Yorkville Asset Management Inc. (“Yorkville”) is pleased to announce that it has received regulatory approval to complete the acquisition of 21 long-term care homes from Revera, with an expected closing date of May 1, 2025. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Yorkville Market Update - February 2025
Key highlights from February market trends:
- Markets dipped as tariff concerns led investors to play it safe. Defensive sectors like Healthcare and Consumer Staples did well, while big tech stocks like Tesla (-28%) and Amazon (-11%) saw sharp declines.
- Bond markets rose as investors moved to safer assets, pushing the US 10-year yield down by 33 basis points.
- The Canadian dollar fell 0.6% due to trade uncertainty, while the US dollar weakened as Trump’s policies aimed to lower its value.
- Bitcoin dropped 17.5% in a market correction, while gold gained over 2% as investors sought stability.
More...
Yorkville Market Update - January 2025
Key highlights from January’s market trends:
- Equity markets saw positive gains, with Communication Services and Healthcare leading while IT lagged due to concerns over China’s new AI model, DeepSeek.
- The US Federal Reserve held rates steady, while the Bank of Canada cut by 25 basis points, adding pressure to the Canadian dollar.
- The Trump administration’s announcement of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China caused initial market fluctuations, though a one-month delay has eased concerns.
- Bitcoin surged again, benefiting from optimism around new US crypto policies.
Press Release - Yorkville Health Care Fund Added to Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Platform
February 12, 2025 – Yorkville Asset Management Inc. (“Yorkville”) is pleased to announce that the Yorkville Health Care Fund (the “Fund”) has been added to Wellington-Altus’ Private Wealth Platform (“the Wellington-Altus Platform”). READ MORE
Insights - Trump 2.0
An article written by Derek Brenzil discussing the potential market impacts following Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2025.
Some key highlights:
- Tariffs and Trade Policy: The possibility of significant tariffs being implemented raises concerns about inflation and economic instability.
- Inflation Concerns: There is a risk of a second wave of inflation, which could affect interest rates and market performance.
- Energy Sector: The focus on US energy independence may lead to changes in oil prices and production dynamics
- Defence Spending: Increased NATO spending could benefit the defence sector.
- Market Volatility: We anticipate continued market volatility, making diversified and prudent investment strategies essential.