5 Stories Canadian Investors Should Watch This Fall

The fall line-up is jammed with potentially market moving events.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

Will BlackBerry (TSX: BB) continue to exist as a public company? Who will replace Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke? What is the future of Canada’s telecom industry? For ticker hounds, there’s no shortage of big stories set to play out this fall.

Let’s review the top five events that investors should keep their eyes on.

Spectrum action

September 17 is the application deadline to participate in the government’s next wireless spectrum auction in January. The auction has garnered more attention than usual given Ottawa’s commitment to increase competition in the wireless industry. Two of the four blacks scheduled to be auction have been reserved for ‘new entrants’.

Any additional competition could threaten the profitability of Canada’s Big 3 telecom companies – Rogers Communications (TSX: RCI.B), BCE (TSX: BCE), and Telus (TSX: T). According to reports from The Globe and Mail, several major telecom players have considered a Canadian expansion including AT&T, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Telenor Group, and NTT Docomo. Though Verizon was considered the most likely candidate to enter the country, the company announced last week that it was no longer interested.

If a big fourth player is going to emerge in the industry, we will know by the end of next week.

BlackBerry’s earnings report

By the end of the year, it’s an open question as to whether BlackBerry will continue to exist as a public entity. The company reports earnings on September 27 giving investors their best glimpse yet at its BB10 handset launch.

Rather than focusing on the company’s results however, all ears are likely to be trained on BlackBerry’s ‘strategic options’. Most expect BlackBerry to be taken private or bought out by a rival and salvaged largely for patents. But if BlackBerry can’t find a suitor, it may be forced to soldier on as an independent company. Given its plummeting market share that may be the worse outcome for shareholders.

Line 9 reversal hearings

With export routes to the south and the west currently blocked, Canada’s east coast may be the last destination for Alberta bitumen. To support this effort Enbridge (TSX: ENB) has proposed reversing its Line 9 pipeline. No longer needed to import crude from international markets, the move will serve western Canadian oil companies desperate to access new markets beyond the United States.

However, the project has sparked outrage from grassroots activists who are concerned about the project’s safety and environmental impact. The debate will play out in front of the National Energy Board with final hearings set to begin October 8.

Prime Minister’s throne speech

The Prime Minister’s throne speech in October will kick off a shortened fall session for parliament. Stephen Harper has used the first part of his majority reign to tackle controversial issues like Employment Insurance and Old Age security. Now, he will lay out his government’s plans as we head into another election season.

Markets are worried that Ottawa may pull back too tightly on its fiscal reins. Mr. Harper has committed to reducing the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has also promised to aggressively reject any new spending proposals in order to balance the government’s books before the election. If Ottawa doubles-down on spending cuts, it could become an economic headwind for the country.

New Fed Chairman

As Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke concludes one of the most dramatic tenures in the central bank’s history, all eyes will be on his replacement. With the U.S. economy now recovering, the task will be to reduce stimulus without sending the world’s biggest economy back into recession. That job will fall on Bernanke’s successor.

The next Fed Chair is expected to be appointed by President Barack Obama in October. The top two candidates for the position are Vice-Chair Janet Yellen and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. Uncertainty surrounding the appointment could cause considerable nervousness over the coming weeks.

Foolish Takeaway

Are you frightened by the short-term fluctuations that these items may bring?  Investing in quality companies for the long-term can help alleviate this fear.  To learn about 3 of the highest quality companies in the world click here now and we’ll send you our special FREE report “3 U.S. Stocks That Every Canadian Investor Should Own”.

The Motley Fool’s purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canada’s free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest in Foolish investing.

Fool contributor Robert Baillieul doesn’t own shares of any companies mentioned.  The Motley Fool doesn’t own shares in any of the companies mentioned. 

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

More on Investing

think thought consider
Investing

TSX Stocks Are Still Dirt Cheap! 3 Bargains I’d Buy Today

TSX stocks like Well Health and BlackBerry are digitizing their chosen industries and effectively disrupting the landscape.

Read more »

investment research
Dividend Stocks

Better Buy: Scotiabank or TD Bank Stock?

Take a closer look at Scotiabank and TD Bank stock to determine which might be the better addition to your…

Read more »

retirees and finances
Dividend Stocks

How to Retire in a Bearish Market

Are you looking to retire this year but are skeptical because of the bearish market? Here is a way to…

Read more »

Hand writing Time for Action concept with red marker on transparent wipe board.
Investing

2 Seriously Misunderstood Value Stocks to Snap Up Before the Market Figures Them Out

Jamieson Wellness (TSX:JWEL) and another mid-cap stock are worth consideration for your TFSA.

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 2 Stocks to Buy if the Market Drops Even More

We still aren't in a recession, so we still haven't seen a market bottom. If these stocks drop even more,…

Read more »

analyze data
Investing

Why Brookfield Asset Management Could Be One of the TSX’s Best Value Stocks

Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM) is a wonderful dividend-growth stock that's hiding in plain sight right now.

Read more »

Woman has an idea
Dividend Stocks

2 Dirt-Cheap Dividend Shares I’d Buy for Long-Term Passive Income

Dirt-cheap dividend stocks should be evaluated more thoroughly than their more stable counterparts for long-term dividend sustainability.

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Dividend Stocks

3 Oversold Dividend Stocks (With a 7% Yield) I’d Buy Right Now

TSX dividend stocks such as Enbridge and TC Energy offer investors dividend yields of more than 7% in 2023.

Read more »