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The Applegath Group (T.A.G.)

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Address CIBC Wood Gundy Toronto Bay Adelaide Branch 333 Bay St., Suite 2800 Toronto ON, M5H 2R2
Telephone Number (416) 594-7948
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Susy Fossati

September 25, 2025

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Up, Up and Away!

This classic 1967 song by the 5th Dimension seems to capture the zeitgeist of the current markets. Apparently the idea behind the song was the desire to float above the turmoil of the late seventies, especially the angst around the war in Vietnam.

 

Today, it seems the markets are able to float above the tariff talk, war, political intrigue, and rapidly changing global trade partnerships. August was a perfect example of this seemingly unstoppable upward momentum. 

 

To be fair, earnings for Q2 for the S&P 500 doubled the diminished expectations of Wall Street analysts. The AI driven investment and infrastructure spending of the mega cap tech firms fueled tremendous growth in earnings for chips, data storage, and electricity. As has been the case over the past year, the markets took this good news, extrapolated the earnings well into the future and bid up these stocks related to AI. So, while earning handily beat estimates, valuations across most asset classes continue to increase. As of today we are now the second most expensive market in history if you use the Shiller CAPE ratio. The S&P 500 is also the most concentrated in history with the top 10 companies by market cap making up almost 40% of the index.

 

In August it seemed that the markets responded to good economic news positively as it showed a strong consumer and bad economic news positively as it increased the likelihood of a interest rate cut that would support valuations.  Canada has also benefited from this positive tilt as Banks and Gold companies led the charge. Gold stocks were up over 20% in August alone which contributed half of the monthly performance. Many of the dividend paying stock we own, other than the banks, did not participate in this rally. While the TSX is cheaper than the S&P it still is trading close to a 25 year high PE multiple (when Nortel was 30% of the index).

 

September has historically been a tough month for stocks, although it appears at this point that 2025 may be an exception. We would argue that the balance of risk is to the downside, but we also recognize that this powerful momentum can last for a long time and continue to drive performance. On balance we have been adding to our bond and alternative managers and have added small positions in companies that we feel have a long runway of earnings. 

 

 

 

 

My Family's Education

(Feature of the Month)

Intergenerational Service: 
Empowering the Next Generation of Investors

 

T.A.G. believes that education is the cornerstone of long-term family success. As part of our multi-generational practice, we offer a dedicated service designed to support second and third generation family members as they navigate their unique financial journeys. Our goal is to provide practice guidance and advice that evolves alongside their needs, helping every generation gain the education and confidence needed to thrive. 


Our process includes:

 

1.    Budgeting & Goal Setting
We provide resources and one-on-one support to help you create a realistic budget, track your spending, and set both short-term and long-term financial goals. Our strategies help you adjust to life’s surprises and stay on track.

 

2.    Personalized Investment Management
We guide you in building an investment portfolio that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. We will educate you on the different types of investment accounts (such as TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA), discuss asset allocation, and explain the differences between stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. Our focus is on the importance of diversification, so you can grow your wealth with confidence over the long term.

 

3.    Maximizing Workplace Benefits
If you’re starting a new job or entering the workforce, we’ll review your workplace benefits, employer pension plans, and group RRSPs. Our goal is to help you understand and maximize these valuable resources as part of your overall financial plan.


4.    Financial Planning for Life’s Milestones
Whether you’re moving in with a partner, getting married, or planning for a family, we provide clear strategies for managing joint finances, setting shared goals, and preparing for major life events.

 

5.    First-time Home Ownership Guidance
When you’re ready to consider home ownership, we introduce you to our trusted mortgage and insurance partners. We’ll walk you through affordability, mortgage options, the difference between term and life insurance, and the steps involved in purchasing your first property.

 

6.    RESP Advisory
For young families, we offer advice on Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), including contribution strategies, available government grants, investment options, and what to do if your child’s plan changes. 

 

7.    Financial Literacy for Youth & Teens
We are passionate about empowering the next generation with strong financial habits. Our educational resources and conversations introduce youth and teens to the fundamentals of savings, spending, spending, and investing. We welcome the opportunity to meet with young investors and help set them on the path to financial confidence.  

 

 

T.A.G. Sharing

 

Protecting from Fraud, Exploitation, and Online Threats
Webinar Summary Presented by: Dynamic Funds

 

While this webinar focused on seniors, it’s important to recognize that fraud, exploitation, and online threats can affect people of all ages. Seniors may be especially vulnerable due to accumulated wealth, social isolation, or cognitive decline, but the tactics used by fraudsters—such as emotional manipulation and urgent requests—can target anyone. The session outlined practical steps for clients, families, and advisors to recognize red flags, strengthen online safety, and provide enhanced care for those at greater risk. Establishing trusted contacts and continuous education are vital in safeguarding everyone’s financial well-being.


The “Super 7” Fraud Types Affecting Canadians:
•    Phishing (fraudulent emails or messages seeking personal info)
•    Tech Support Scams (fake calls or pop-ups claiming computer issues)
•    CRA (Tax Authority) Scams (fraudsters impersonating tax officials)
•    Romance Scams (emotional manipulation via fake relationships)
•    New Best Friend Scams (sudden friendships with financial motives)
•    Investment Scams (promises of high returns, often unregistered products)
•    Grandparent Scams (urgent pleas for money from a “grandchild” in distress)

 

Best Practices to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones:
•    Watch for red flags: urgency, secrecy, unknown contacts, odd payment requests.
•    Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
•    Set up secret family passwords and review accounts regularly.
•    Maintain a low-value account for daily transactions.
•    Never respond to unsolicited communications; always verify requests.
•    Assign a Trusted Contact Person (TCP)—someone you trust and authorize your financial institution to contact if there are concerns about potential fraud, exploitation, or diminished capacity. Having a TCP in place helps protect you by providing an additional safeguard if suspicious activity is detected.
•    Place fraud alerts with credit reporting agencies such as Equifax and TransUnion to add an extra layer of protection against identity theft.
•    Educate clients and staff using resources like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

 

By staying vigilant and proactive, we can help protect people of all ages from financial harm and support their independence and peace of mind.

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