The Q Review: April 2025
Welcome to the Q Review, a monthly report from Qtrade Direct Investing®. Each month, we share insights into market trends, investor activity, and what’s new with us! April brought strong engagement across the platform, great momentum to build on as we move ahead.
April Market Highlights
Markets kicked off the month under pressure. The TSX, Dow, and S&P 500 each dropped over 10%, entering correction territory. The Nasdaq officially fell into bear market status—down more than 20% from its peak. Leading tech names like Apple, Meta, Nvidia, and Amazon saw steep single-day losses. Canadian tech stocks, including Shopify, followed suit.
At the center of the turmoil: escalating trade tensions. The U.S. announced sweeping tariffs, prompting swift retaliation from China, which imposed 34% tariffs on all U.S. goods. This renewed uncertainty spooked investors and dragged down global equities.
By mid-month, markets began to rebound. The TSX gained 2.6% in a shortened trading week, with all 10 major sectors finishing in the green—tech stocks driving much of the momentum. U.S. markets were more mixed, with the S&P 500 slipping slightly, while the Nasdaq showed signs of stabilization.
Central banks remained in focus. The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 3.0%, and the U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark rate at 4.5%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled caution, stating the central bank would “wait for greater clarity” before taking action, in light of political and economic uncertainty.
By month-end, investor sentiment remained cautious. Earnings were mixed, inflation signals were uneven, and volatility persisted. Gold prices continued to climb, as investors looked to hedge against ongoing market instability and geopolitical risk.
Reminders:
As a quick reminder, three simple ways to fund a Qtrade account:
- Interac e-Transfer
- Bill Payment
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
For more questions, visit our FAQ.
Online brokerage services are offered through Qtrade Direct Investing, a division of Aviso Financial Inc. Qtrade and Qtrade Direct Investing are trade names or trademarks of Aviso Wealth Inc. and/or its affiliates.
The information contained in this article was obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, we cannot guarantee that it is accurate or complete. This material is for informational and educational purposes, and it is not intended to provide specific advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, tax or similar matters.