September 2026 Newsletter
Di Rocco Keenan Wealth Advisory Group - Sep 15, 2026
SEPTEMBER 2026
The change of seasons always seems to arrive overnight. As we came into the office this morning, the crisp air and shorter mornings reminded us that summer is quickly giving way to fall. There is something about the weeks following the August long weekend that brings a familiar "back-to-school" feeling, no matter how old we are. We hope you had the opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends and make the most of the summer months.
Our team certainly kept busy outside the office. Lianne successfully completed her third 29029 Everest Challenge at Mount Rainier in Washington State, an incredible accomplishment that required determination and perseverance. After what felt like an Olympic-level house hunt, Jamie finally found a new home. She’s looking forward to making new memories, hosting family and friends, and figuring out where all the boxes actually belong. Bailey continued her pursuit of the perfect golf score while playing courses across Ontario. Teresa and her family spent time exploring the mountains, continuing their passion for hiking, and tackling new peaks out west. Meanwhile, Joti enjoyed a busy summer with her family, spending countless hours on the sidelines coaching and cheering on young athletes.
As we enter the historically volatile month of September, there is increasing consensus of interest rate hikes in the US and pressure is rising for the long end of the yield curve. Corporate earnings have generally continued to exceed expectations, and while markets will undoubtedly continue to experience periods of volatility, the underlying fundamentals remain intact and provide a supportive backdrop as we move into the final months of 2026.
As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Warm regards,
Lianne and Jamie
Looking Ahead to Year-End
As we enter the final quarter, now is an excellent time to review a few important planning opportunities before year-end.
Education Savings and RESP Withdrawals
With many students heading back to school, families may wish to review their Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs). If a child has started or returned to post-secondary education, ensure any planned withdrawals are coordinated appropriately. It is also worth reviewing whether any RESP contributions remain outstanding for the year, particularly if there is unused Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) room available from prior years.
Charitable Giving
If charitable giving is part of your year-end planning, consider donating appreciated securities directly to charities instead of donating cash. An in-kind donation of securities may eliminate the capital gains tax that would otherwise be payable on the appreciation while still providing a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value of the donation. For many investors, this can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to support causes they care about.
TFSA, RRSP and Other Registered Contributions
As year-end approaches, it is a good idea to review contribution levels across your registered accounts:
- Ensure available TFSA contribution room is being utilized where appropriate.
- Review RESP contribution opportunities to maximize available government grants.
- Consider RRSP contribution planning ahead of the contribution deadline, particularly if income has increased this year.
- Review any spousal RRSP opportunities as part of your broader retirement and tax planning strategy.
- Review and utilize any First Home Savings Account (FHSA) contribution opportunities.
Industry Trends:
A Few Questions On Our Minds As The Summer Comes To An End
So much for a "quiet summer" - Middle East tensions, a more hawkish Fed, AI-driven job anxiety, and a fresh round of tariffs have all commanded investor mindshare, yet the underlying backdrop remains firmly supportive for the economy and earnings. This has been a strikingly textbook cycle in which PMIs, sector, and factor rotations have all occurred right on their historical lead/lag cues. Our latest work argues that Cyclicals should continue to generate alpha into the second half of 2027, with the yield curve pointing to lower volatility - suggesting this trade is likely still in the early innings. This week, we also tackle the biggest misconception we encounter - while AI may ease labor market tightness structurally, the reality we face today looks very different, with overtime hours growing at a pace rarely seen in the last 30 years. Check out the full article attached
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