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Channel Tunnel Chaos Enters Day Two as Power Fault Drags On

The disruption, caused by a fault in the system's overhead power supply, on Tuesday upended plans for thousands of passengers in London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Rail passengers travelling between the UK and mainland Europe are enduring a second day of major disruption after a power failure shut down the Channel Tunnel, halting both Eurostar and LeShuttle services. The fault, linked to the overhead power supply, brought traffic to a standstill and left thousands of travellers stranded on both sides of the Channel. Although some services have begun to move again, operators warn that delays and cancellations will continue while engineers work to stabilise the system. Eurostar has urged passengers to avoid travelling unless essential, as many trains remain suspended or heavily delayed. LeShuttle customers are also facing long queues, with significant backlogs reported at both Folkestone and Calais. The timing has added to the frustration, hitting one of the busiest travel per...

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The Perils of Cash Hoarding: Why Canadians Should Invest Now

 


In recent years, Canadians have amassed a staggering $400-billion in excess savings, a figure that represents 13 per cent of the nation’s GDP. This phenomenon, largely a result of the pandemic savings boom and economic uncertainty, has led to a culture of cash hoarding. However, experts warn that the reluctance to invest this cash could be a costly mistake.

The Opportunity Cost of Cash: While the security of a large cash buffer is comforting, especially in tumultuous times, it comes with an opportunity cost. Money sitting in bank accounts or term deposits like GICs is money not growing through investment. With the Dow Jones and S&P/TSX Composite Index showing strong performance, and bond yields moving favorably, the potential for wealth growth through investing is significant.

Investment Strategies: Lump Sum vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging When faced with the decision of how to invest excess savings, research suggests that investing a lump sum immediately is often the best strategy. This approach typically outperforms alternatives such as dollar-cost averaging or waiting for market dips, which can result in missed opportunities and lower returns.

Embracing the Market’s Growth Potential Despite the fear of investing at market highs, history shows that the stock market is a robust engine for growth. Delaying investment in hopes of a better entry point is likely to hinder long-term financial gains. Canadians are encouraged to overcome the psychological barriers of cash hoarding and tap into the market’s proven potential.

In conclusion, while the instinct to hoard cash during uncertain times is understandable, Canadians must recognize the importance of putting their excess savings to work. Investing now, rather than waiting, is a strategic move that aligns with historical data and the principles of wealth building.

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