September Market Recap

Ashley Nichols - Oct 15, 2026

This month, we cut through noise and look at what may really matter for your portfolio, from interest rates and tariffs to artificial intelligence, market valuations and changes in the global economy.

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Portfolio Management Comment

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Our Portfolio Management Approach

*Hopefully everyone has a chance to listen to our podcasts.*
We are fundamental investors that use technical analysis to manage short-term market risks. We believe that risk management is not a choice, but a necessity.

While we cannot control how much downside the market provides during a correction, we can control how much of the downside your account receives.

We aim to avoid 60% or more of the decline in any significant downturn. Without our process, there is a good chance you will experience 100% of the downside from the market.

We will help you navigate the risks and rewards of the market so that you can stop worrying
about your money and start living your life.

Transactions

No trades were done during this month.

Returns on our 60/40, 70/30 & 80/20 portfolios, before fees:

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Asset Mix

Interesting Charts

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Technical Comments

E-mini Bulls Want Another Leg Up

October 4, 2026

Market Overview: S&P 500 E-mini Futures

The S&P 500 E-mini bulls want another leg up toward the measured move target around 8000. Bears see any move higher as forming the third leg of an embedded wedge pattern (the first two legs being June 1 and August 13).

S&P500 E-mini futures

The Monthly E-mini chart

Technical Chart

o   September was a doji bar closing around the middle of its range, with prominent tails.
o   Last month, we said traders would watch whether bulls could create follow-through buying toward the 8000 measured move target, or whether the market would stall around the current area, forming candlesticks with prominent upper tails or bear bodies instead.
o   Bulls want a measured move to around 8000 based on the height of the April spike bar.
o   Bulls see the 3-month sideways trading range (May to July) as a bull flag and want a measured move based on its height, which would also take the market to around the 8000 area.
o   Bulls need to create strong follow-through buying to increase the odds of a successful breakout above the bull flag.
o   If the market trades lower, bulls hope the middle of the sideways trading range or the June 9 low area will act as support.
o   Bears see the sideways trading range (May to July) as potentially the final flag of the move.
o   Bears want a failed breakout followed by a test of the final flag low (June 9).
o   Bears want a reversal from a large wedge top (December 6, October 29, and August 13).
o   Bears hope any move higher will lack follow-through buying, forming the third leg of an embedded wedge pattern (the first two legs being June 1 and August 13).
o   Bears need to create strong bear bars to indicate strength. Without them, traders will be reluctant to sell aggressively.
o   The market broke above the sideways trading range in August, which could potentially be the final flag of the move, but lacked follow-through buying.
o   The doji bar in September indicates a balance between the bulls and bears.
o   Traders will watch whether bulls can create follow-through buying to retest the all-time high (August 13) and move toward the 8000 measured move target.
o   Or whether the market will continue to stall around the current area, forming candlesticks with prominent upper tails or bear bodies instead.
o   Until bears can create consecutive strong bear bars to flip the market into Always In Short, traders will be reluctant to sell aggressively.

Millennial Minute

This month is Women’s History Month – a month to honor women and girls who have help shape Canada’s past and present, inspiring future generations of leaders, and addressing ongoing inequalities like the wage gap and underrepresentation.
Designated in 1992, this month coincides with Persons Day on October 18th where the ‘Famous Five’ fought to have women legally recognized as persons under the law.
We’ve come far in many aspects of life, but where we seem to still be lacking representation and understanding is the financial aspect of life. Too often women leave the “money talk” to the men; and when we’re statistically forecasted to outlive the men in our lives, it can leave us feeling overwhelmed when the wealth transfer happens and we have minimal knowledge or guidance to help us.
This month’s article gives some more insight and suggestions for women to get involved and active in the financial planning for the household.

Click here to read!

Planning Article

The Tax Consequences and Benefits of Charitable Giving Through a Will People often choose to fulfill their philanthropic goals by making gifts to charity in their Will.
There are many benefits to this form of giving and one of them is the tax benefit. When an
individual provides for a charitable gift in his or her Will, his or her estate is entitled to a donation
tax credit. If the estate qualifies as a Graduated Rate Estate (“GRE”), the donation tax credit
may also be used to reduce or completely offset the tax liability that arises from the deemed
disposition of capital property that occurs upon death. In the year of death and the year prior
to death, up to 100% of a taxpayer’s net income can be offset by charitable donations.

Click here to read!

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