Evolving Times | Weekly Newsletter
Equity markets declined last week as U.S. consumer confidence experienced its sharpest drop since August 2021, signalling growing unease about the economic outlook. Trade tensions escalated, with President Trump confirming that postponed U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico will take effect on March 4th. While some still have hope for potential negotiations, the situation remains uncertain.
Canadian banks delivered largely positive earnings, bolstered by strong results in their wealth management and capital markets divisions. However, they adopted a cautious approach, increasing provisions for credit losses in response to an unpredictable economic environment and ongoing trade concerns. Nvidia, meanwhile, reported impressive earnings, cementing its dominance in the AI sector with a 78% surge in sales and optimistic forward guidance. Concerns about Nvidia stemming from AI developments in China appear unfounded, as CEO Jensen Huang views them as a tailwind rather than a headwind.
We want you to stay in tune with the movements in the markets, so we have carefully selected these articles for you. As always, we hope you enjoy and welcome your feedback.
AI on the rise: What Trump’s policy shifts mean for the future of innovation
Evolve NASDAQ Technology Index Fund (Ticker: QQQT)
Though we’re still only in the early part of 2025, it’s already been a momentous year for developments in artificial intelligence. From a deregulated, AI innovation-focused U.S. under the Trump administration, to a groundbreaking $500 billion data centre infrastructure initiative in the Stargate Project, and the disruptive, cost-efficient AI breakthrough by China’s DeepSeek, new developments are reshaping global competition nearly every week.
TD, RBC beat estimates with trading boosting Canadian banks
Evolve Canadian Banks and Lifecos Enhanced Yield Index Fund?(Ticker: BANK)
Toronto-Dominion Bank beat estimates on better-than-expected wealth-management and capital-markets results, capping off an earnings season that saw all of Canada’s big banks benefit from higher trading activity.?Royal Bank of Canada’s wealth-management division similarly saw net income surge by 48% to C$980 million in the quarter, the company said, reflecting “market appreciation and net sales.”
Standard Chartered still sees bitcoin hitting $500,000 despite recent selloff?
Evolve Bitcoin ETF?(Ticker: EBIT)
Standard Chartered’s bullish crypto analyst still sees bitcoin’s price hitting $500,000 during Donald Trump’s presidency — even after a selloff that sank the world’s largest digital currency to a three-month low.?Geoffrey Kendrick, who heads up digital assets research at Standard Chartered, told CNBC he believes bitcoin will hit the $200,000 mark this year before climbing even further in the coming years.
Meta plans to release standalone Meta AI app in effort to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT
Evolve FANGMA Index ETF?(Ticker: TECH)
The company intends to debut a Meta AI standalone app during the second quarter. It marks a major step in Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to make his company the leader in artificial intelligence by the end of the year, ahead of competitors such as OpenAI and Alphabet, said the people, who asked not to be named because the project is confidential.
Ranked: The 20 best-performing S&P 500 Stocks (2005-2024)
Evolve S&P 500? Enhanced Yield Fund?(Ticker: ESPX)
Over the past two decades, broad-market investors in the S&P 500 have done well, with the index averaging 10.4% annually from 2005 to 2024.?However, a select few companies have outperformed the index, delivering exponential long-term returns—some through steady compounding, others through periods of explosive growth.
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About Evolve ETFs
With $7 billion in assets under management, Evolve is one of Canada’s fastest growing ETF providers since launching its first ETF in September 2017. Evolve specializes in bringing innovative ETFs to Canadian investors. Evolve’s suite of ETFs provide investors with access to: (i) index-based income strategies; (ii) long term investment themes; and (iii) some of the world’s leading investment managers. Established by a team of industry veterans with a proven track record of success, Evolve creates investment products that make a difference. Learn more at?www.evolveetfs.com
Disclaimer
The contents of this newsletter are not to be used or construed as investment advice or as an endorsement or recommendation of any entity or security whatsoever. The opinions in these articles are those of the author and the publication and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Evolve Funds Group Inc., its partners, service providers, employees or associates.? ?
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