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Shopify Just Pushed the TSX to a Record — Should You Be Buying, or Is It Too Late?

  Published August 6, 2026 If you glanced at the markets on Wednesday and saw the TSX hit another record high, there's a good chance one company did most of the heavy lifting: Shopify. The S&P/TSX Composite closed up 344.83 points, or 1%, at 36,146.42 on August 5 — its second straight record close. Shopify shares jumped 16.5%, their biggest one-day move in a year, after the Ottawa-based e-commerce company beat earnings expectations and issued a stronger-than-expected outlook for the rest of the year. Gold miners added to the rally too, as bullion prices climbed. What It Means for You: If you own a Canadian equity index fund or ETF in your RRSP or TFSA, you almost certainly own a slice of this move already — whether you meant to or not. What actually happened Shopify reported second-quarter revenue of $3.58 billion (U.S.), up 34% from a year earlier and well ahead of the roughly $3.45 billion analysts expected. Adjusted earnings came in at $0.42 a share versus the $0.40 expecte...

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Bankruptcies Surge in Canada Amid Economic Challenges

 

In a year marked by financial turbulence, business insolvencies in Canada have reached unprecedented levels. According to data from the federal Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, 2023 witnessed the highest number of business insolvencies in 36 years of recorded history. The surge was particularly pronounced, with filings rising 35% in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter and more than doubling compared to the same period a year ago.

Key Points:

  1. Record High: The total number of businesses filing for insolvency was the highest in 13 years.
  2. Mainly Bankruptcies: The rise was primarily driven by bankruptcies rather than renegotiations of terms.
  3. Hardest-Hit Sectors: Accommodation and food services, retail, and construction experienced the most significant impact.
  4. Financial Challenges: Businesses grappled with rising input costs, wage expenses, and debt servicing costs throughout the pandemic.
  5. Debt Burden: Debt taken on during the pandemic has left some Canadian businesses unviable or in need of debt restructuring.
  6. Government Loans: Business owners who couldn’t repay government pandemic loans (such as CEBA) by the January 19 deadline now face interest charges and monthly payments.

Economic Outlook:

  • Interest Rate Pressure: The additional costs of servicing debts due to higher interest rates may strain businesses already on a precarious edge.
  • Consumer Spending Decline: The weakening economy has also impacted consumer spending, further adding pressure to businesses’ bottom line.
  • Room for Recovery: Some businesses may struggle to manage increased monthly bills, especially if sales remain challenging.

As the Canadian economy navigates these challenges, businesses face a critical juncture. The road to recovery will require resilience, adaptability, and strategic financial management.


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