Finance
Trump’s Treasury pick, tariffs, and retail therapy: 3 themes that drove markets this week
Financial markets gave investors a lot to ponder during the Thanksgiving holiday-shortened week.
US stocks closed out the week at record highs on Friday, propelled by technology stocks, while Treasury yields declined and the dollar slipped, reversing eight straight weeks of gains.
There was plenty of good news for markets. Wall Street was optimistic about President-elect Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary pick, hedge fund executive Scott Bessent, and the possibility of more business-friendly conditions after Inauguration Day.
“This is the exact pick the market wanted,” Ed Mills, a Washington policy analyst at Raymond James, said to Yahoo Finance about Bessent.
Other good news included stable inflation numbers, decent consumer sentiment, and a solid start to the holiday shopping season as consumers took advantage of discounts on electronics and clothing.
The National Retail Federation estimates total holiday spending in November and December will reach as much as $989 billion.
“It’s become a social activity, and I think that’s why we’re seeing some uptick in mall traffic,” former LVMH chair Pauline Brown said.
R.J. Hottovy, head of analytical research at Placer.ai, added, “We’re starting to see a bit of a comeback in those door-busters we saw once upon a time.”
However, tariff talk added uncertainty back into markets, particularly with Trump’s pledge to impose 25% tariffs on all goods coming into the US from Canada and Mexico on day one of his administration and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China.
Trump wrote the tariffs on Mexico and Canada will take effect if the two countries don’t take strong action to clamp down on illegal immigration and illicit drug flows.
“I’m not a fan of broad-based tariffs — they make me really uncomfortable and nervous,” Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi said about concerns over a broader global trade war erupting and the potential inflationary effects.
“It will not be good for the consumer,” former Gap CEO Mickey Drexler added.
Still, Trump’s nomination of Scott Bessent to the top Treasury post raised hopes that tariffs will be more measured. And with only 21 trading days left in the year, analysts, investors, and market watchers expect the good news for stocks to continue, barring any unforeseen events.
Year to date, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) has risen 19%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) has gained 26% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) has gained 28%.
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Finance
BofA revises Harley-Davidson stock price after latest announcement
Harley-Davidson’s new CEO wants to transform how people think about the iconic motorcycle brand, so the company is trying something different.
This week, Harley announced a new strategy that focuses on lower-priced bikes, rather than relying on older, more affluent customers to buy its higher-margin touring models.
“Back to the Bricks builds on our core strengths and competitive advantages, harnessing the passion of our riders to deliver profitable growth for the Company and both our dealers and shareholders,” Harley CEO Artie Starrs said this week. “As we drive towards this new phase of growth, we remain committed to the craftsmanship and dedication that define our brand.”
Entry-level Harley-Davidsons cost about $13,000, while the higher-end Adventure Touring models average about $23,250, and the Premium Range &CVO models cost about $38,500, according to Reuters.
Harley’s new strategy targets a core profit of over $350 million from its motorcycle business by 2027 and over $150 million in cost reductions.
To kick off the new strategy, Harley is introducing Sprint, a new entry-level model powered by a smaller 440cc engine, later in the year.
What is Harley-Davidson’s “Back to the Bricks” strategy?
Harley’s new strategy relies on more than just pushing buyers toward cheaper vehicles to increase volume. The 123-year-old company has a set of five pillars on which it is building its future.
Harley-Davidson “Back to the Bricks” 5-point plan
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Deep appreciation of Harley-Davidson’s competitive advantages and legacy: The Company’s iconic brand, diversified and powerful revenue channels, and best-in-class dealer network provide a powerful foundation for growth.
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Renewed commitment to exclusive dealer network to drive enterprise profitability: Harley-Davidson’s dealers are a competitive advantage. The Company is planning actions to enable dealers to double profitability in 2026 and then double it again by 2029.
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Immediate actions to recapture share in areas where Harley-Davidson has right to win: Harley-Davidson has strong legacy equity in existing markets including new motorcycles, used motorcycles, Parts & Accessories, and Apparel & Licensing. The Company’s new strategy is focused on positioning the Company to regain share and drive meaningful volume growth in categories where it benefits from credibility, scale, and deep rider connection.
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Strong financial position with a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin: Cost and restructuring actions already underway support a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin over time.
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Bolstered management team with balance of fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge: Harley-Davidson has made a number of leadership appointments that support the Company as it leverages its innate strengths.
Finance
What is Considered a Good Dividend Stock? 2 Financial Stocks That Fit the Bill
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada
Dividend investing can be one of the simplest ways to build long-term wealth while creating a steady stream of passive income. But in my opinion, a good dividend stock is about much more than just a high yield. Beyond dividend yield, investors should also look for companies with durable businesses, reliable cash flows, and a history of rewarding shareholders consistently over time.
That’s exactly why many investors turn to financial stocks. Banks and asset managers often generate recurring earnings through lending, investing, and wealth management activities, allowing them to support stable dividend payments even during uncertain market conditions.
Two Canadian financial stocks that stand out right now are AGF Management (TSX:AGF.B) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Both companies offer attractive dividends backed by solid financial performance and long-term growth strategies. In this article, I’ll explain why these two financial stocks could be worth considering for income-focused investors right now.
AGF Management stock continues to reward shareholders
AGF Management is a Toronto-based asset manager with businesses across investments, private markets, and wealth management. Through these divisions, the company offers equity, fixed income, alternative, and multi-asset investment strategies to retail, institutional, and private wealth clients.
Following a 59% rally over the last 12 months, AGF stock currently trades at $16.67 per share with a market cap of roughly $1.1 billion. At current levels, the stock offers a quarterly dividend yield of 3.3%.
One reason behind AGF’s strong recent performance is its increasingly diversified business model. The company has expanded its investment capabilities and broadened its geographic reach, helping it perform well across varying market environments.
In the first quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended in February), AGF posted free cash flow of $36 million, up 14% year over year (YoY), driven mainly by higher management, advisory, and administration fees. These fees climbed to $92.5 million as demand for the company’s investment offerings strengthened.
AGF has also been focusing on expanding its alternative investment business and introducing new investment products. With strong cash generation and growing demand for alternative investments, AGF Management looks well-positioned to continue rewarding investors over the long term.
TD Bank stock remains a dependable dividend giant
Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD Bank, is one of North America’s largest banks, serving millions of customers through its Canadian banking, U.S. retail banking, wealth management and insurance, and wholesale banking operations.
Finance
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