Stocktrades itself was born in 2016 from the idea that the quality of Canadian investment information was significantly lacking. This is because our market is too small. There are “bigger fish” in the ocean south of the border.
As a result, we knew a few companies (and I’m sure you do too) that were getting away with lackluster quality simply due to a lack of competition. But we aren’t a major company or corporation.
We’re simply investors with the experience and knowledge required to navigate the markets and have done so for multiple decades. Fast forward to 2023, and Stocktrades was home to over 1.8 million Canadian visitors looking for investing and personal finance topics.
Our website contains in-depth stock, ETF, mutual fund, and fixed-income research to help Canadians navigate the market and make better investment decisions.
Our goal moving forward is simple, and that is to become the go-to resource in the country when it comes to stock research and investor education. For too long large-scale corporations, advisors, and banks have controlled the content many Canadians see when researching investments online.
Our End Goal? To Produce More Long-Term Focused DIY Investors
Early on we became wary of paying banks, brokerages, and financial planner’s fees to manage our investments as it can amount to an enormous cost over time.
This is why we are huge supporters of self-directed investment, and we can show you why.
Take a look at this graph where we show the substantial difference a few percentiles can make over the life of an investment portfolio….
Our DIY portfolio earns 8% a year, our mutual fund portfolio earns 8% a year less a 2.35% fee (for 5.65% annual returns), and our High Interest Savings Account earns 1.5%.
As you can see, the difference after 30 years between the DIY method and paying your bank to invest your money is two hundred and forty three thousand dollars! If a person plans on having a $60,000 per year budget in retirement that difference equals 4 years worth of retirement lost.
Many Investors Give Up Due To DIY Challenges. We Aim To Solve Them
Time Constraints
Many aspiring DIY investors don’t have the adequate amount of time needed to build successful portfolios on their own. They need a resource they can trust to deliver them information that would take them hours to find in just minutes.
Due diligence is not a luxury when it comes to investing. It is a basic need. The markets move quickly these days, and with the excess of content online, most opportunities have come and gone before people even realize it.
Lack of Legitimate Stock Information Online
After spending more than a decade searching online for information about Canadian stocks, we found too much spammy content skewed by the personal gain of writers and analysts with no regard for the integrity of their information. This creates a “digital fog” of sorts, and a massive time delay in being able to find quality stock information.
Not to mention the constant “all in alerts” or “this could be like buying Nvidia at $5” alerts. It is about time the Canadian market had a reliable source of information, which is where we come in.
What we have become
What started out as a hobby with the pipedream of competing with the major players in the industry one day has very quickly become a reality for Stocktrades.
- We’ve grown Stocktrades.ca from 10 daily visitors in 2016 to over 4,900 daily visitors in 2023.
- Built a newsletter list of over 25,000 Canadians itching to find the next best stock.
- Built a premium platform where over 1,800 Canadians are utilizing our tools and research to improve their portfolios.
How did we get here?
By bringing you the unbiased, educational and to the point investment news, strategies, and tips.
Meet Our Team of Market Experts Who Got Us Here
Daniel Kent – Co-founder of Stocktrades.ca
Dan has been a self-directed investor since 2009. What was first initially started as a hobby and a love for investing and researching publicly traded companies, Dan’s dedication to providing Canadians with the best research possible when it comes to stocks eventually led to him growing Stocktrades into one of the largest financial websites in the country, with over 1.8 million visitors in 2023.
His pieces have been mentioned numerous times in the Globe and Mail, Forbes, Business Insider, CBC, Yahoo Finance, Entrepreneur, Kiplinger, Motley Fool, and other high-authority financial websites. He’s also worked with major Canadian institutions like the Bank of Montreal, Toronto Dominion Bank, Questrade, Qtrade and more to educate Canadian investors.
Dan co-hosts one of the largest investing podcasts in Canada, the Canadian Investor Podcast with Simon Belanger, providing up-to-date opinions, commentary, studies, and more on some of the most prominent companies in Canada.
He has completed the Canadian Securities Course and manages his entire investment portfolio at Wealthsimple Trade. Once an avid real estate investor, he reduced his overall portfolio to 100% equities and exited the real estate space in 2022.
Dan’s passion, knowledge, and experience in investing have allowed him to grow into one of the most prominent names in the Canadian finance space. As a self-directed investor himself, sifting through the myriad of unprofessional, biased, and even, in some cases, unethical financial information online, he wanted to create a financial resource where Canadians could find high-quality, unbiased and trusted financial research.
This attitude towards the investing landscape is very likely why Stocktrades has grown from virtually nothing to a household name when it comes to investing in less than a decade.
Whether it be helping Canadians avoid financial advisors charging high fees or simply Canadian DIY investors looking for the best prospective investments for their portfolios, Dan takes pride in helping them avoid the plethora of misguided financial information online so they can make the best decisions for their individual portfolios.
Dylan Callaghan – Co-founder of Stocktrades.ca
In 2016, Dylan, alongside Daniel Kent, a like-minded DIY investor, co-founded Stocktrades.ca. This venture was born out of a shared vision to empower Canadian investors by providing top-tier investment research and the most comprehensive personal finance content available in the country.
Under Dylan’s leadership, Stocktrades.ca has grown exponentially, becoming a cornerstone of the Canadian financial landscape, renowned for its insightful analysis and actionable investment guidance.
Dylan’s journey into the world of investing began with a pivotal moment when he missed a significant opportunity during the acquisition of a company where he was not only an employee but also a stock shareholder.
This experience sparked his determination to delve deeper into the intricacies of the stock market. Since that turning point, Dylan has been a dynamic investor, strategically diversifying his portfolio between stocks and real estate, and developing a keen interest in personal finance and macro-economic trends.
Through Stocktrades.ca, Dylan has pioneered a range of educational tools and resources, fostering financial literacy among Canadians. His work has not only demystified investing for many but has also encouraged a more financially informed and proactive citizenry. Dylan and his team regularly update their audience on emerging market trends, investment opportunities, and personal finance topics, all tailored to the unique Canadian economic landscape.
Mathieu Litalien – Writer
Mathieu is a seasoned individual investor with an impressive track record spanning over two decades. His investment journey began 20 years ago, and he has since honed his skills in fundamental analysis, specializing in dividend-paying equities.
With a keen eye for both growth and value, Mathieu maintains a moderate risk profile while aiming for long-term capital appreciation.
His interest in the financial markets and investment strategies propelled him to pursue an MBA, where he deepened his understanding of financial theories and real-world applications.
This advanced education not only expanded his analytical skills but also enriched his perspective on market dynamics, making him a well-rounded finance professional. As a thought leader in the finance niche, Mathieu has contributed extensively to renowned platforms like Seeking Alpha, Motley Fool, and Stocktrades. His insights are highly valued by a diverse audience ranging from novice investors to seasoned financial experts.
His work at Stocktrades further underscores his expertise, where he focuses on utilizing his decades of market experience to provide next-level research for Canadians.
Mathieu’s dedication to the finance community is evident not only in his writing but also in his commitment to mentoring upcoming investors. His articles often blend technical analysis with practical tips, offering a roadmap for building the best investment portfolio possible. His ability to demystify financial jargon and present complex concepts in an accessible manner has made him a sought-after voice in financial discussions.
In addition to his writing endeavors, Mathieu is actively involved in various finance seminars and webinars, where he shares his expertise on investment strategies and market trends. Mat has even previously sat on the board of directors of a multi-million dollar hydro company in Ontario.
Through his comprehensive analysis, commitment to education, and ongoing contributions to prominent financial publications, Mathieu has established himself as a leading authority in the finance niche.
Davit Kirakosyan – Writer
Davit Kirakosyan is a seasoned analyst and writer with over 8 years of experience specializing in market analysis and investment strategies. He has a proven track record of delivering in-depth insights and actionable recommendations for both institutional and retail investors.
Davit has contributed extensively to major financial platforms such as Benzinga, Investing, StreetInsider, and numerous other high-profile outlets.
His work spans hundreds of detailed analyses, covering the U.S. and Canadian stock markets, sector trends, and macroeconomic developments. He is widely regarded for his ability to break down complex financial topics into digestible, insightful commentary for investors at all levels.
Davit holds an M.S. degree in International Economics and Finance from Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg and is currently a CFA Level 2 candidate.