How to Invest in 2026 [Podcast Series]

This New Year mini-series is built for investors who want a clear plan for 2026—without drowning in market noise. Across six quick episodes, Mike and Vero cover where markets were in 2025, what could derail portfolios in 2026, how to think about high-yield stocks safely, and how to tighten your process so you can invest with conviction.

(Quick reminder: this is for information and education—not personal financial advice.)

How to Invest in 2026: Series Intro (Jan 1st)

Mike and Vero kick off the year with a fast roadmap of what’s coming in the series and why your process matters more than predictions. It also tees up the free webinar (Jan 8th) where everything is pulled together in one place.

Key takeaways

A new year is a good trigger to review strategy—even if investing is a long game.
The market will do what it does; your edge is a repeatable process.
The mini-series gives “bits and pieces,” while the webinar delivers the full framework + Q&A.

Investing in 2026 Free Webinar

Don’t Know How to Invest in 2026? I have answers!

Each year, I gather all the economic data and build this popular webinar on how to invest in the coming year. Attendees from last year knew that massive investments in infrastructure, energy, and AI were coming in 2025. They were ready to benefit from this bull market.

On Thursday, January 8th, at 1 pm ET, I will host a free webinar to discuss what investors must know for 2026.

This is my most popular webinar of the year!

Bring your questions! I will stay on afterward for an open Q&A about stocks, strategies, and how these economic shifts might impact your investments.

Save Your Spot Now! Live Seats are Limited, but All Registrants Get the Instant Replay for Free

Market Review: What’s Next? (Jan 2nd)

A recap of what drove 2025 and why “waiting on the sidelines” often costs more than it protects. The discussion touches Canada’s surprise outperformance, the AI ripple effect across sectors, and why narratives can get investors into trouble.

Key takeaways

Three straight double-digit years can create complacency—and bad timing decisions.
Canada’s strength was fueled by:
- Banks and life insurers (capital markets + wealth management tailwinds)
- Gold miners (the “debasement trade”)
- Utilities/industrials tied to powering and building data centers
AI isn’t just “tech” anymore—it’s showing up across sectors (and portfolios) in sneaky ways.

Risks in 2026 and How to Protect Your Portfolio (Jan 5th)

This episode is the “seatbelt” conversation: corrections happen, bear markets happen, and sometimes they start in one corner before spreading. The big message: don’t try to time fear—prepare for it.

Key takeaways

Know the difference:
- Correction: down 10%+
- Bear market: down 20%+
- Crisis: deeper, longer, mentally exhausting
AI risk isn’t just valuation—it’s massive infrastructure spending and complex “spider web” partnerships that get hard to track.
Tariffs and consumer pressure can hit:
- Consumer discretionary/cyclicals
- Industrials and transportation (slowdown risk)
“Protecting” doesn’t mean hiding in cash—it’s about knowing your risk exposure and having rules.

What “protection” looks like

Clear asset/sector/stock allocation (and what those choices imply in a bad year)
Written buy rules and sell rules
Conviction you can actually stick with when volatility hits

3 Safe High-Yields for 2026 (Jan 6th)

High yield is tempting because it makes the math feel easier—but it can also be a shortcut into dividend traps. Mike shares three names he views as “deluxe bonds,” plus a simple checklist to separate income from trouble.

The 3 stocks discussed

Enbridge (ENB)
Long-term “take-or-pay” style contracts, essential energy infrastructure, and dividend stability (even if growth is modest).
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ)
Asset quality, strong balance sheet focus, shareholder-friendly capital returns, and a track record that stood out even during 2020.
VICI Properties (VICI)
Niche REIT with long leases (40–50 years), inflation escalators, and strong locations—paired with economic sensitivity risk.

How to screen “safe” high yield

Treat 5%+ yield as a red flag, not an automatic “buy” or “sell.”
Use the Dividend Triangle
No dividend growth + high yield often leads to payout ratio stress? Higher cut risk.
Mature “bond-like” stocks still need some growth to avoid sliding into trap territory.

2026 Game Plan (Jan 7th)

This is the process episode: portfolio management doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need rules. The goal is fewer dilemmas, faster decisions, and a portfolio you actually enjoy holding.

Mike’s game plan highlights

Diversification is both offense and defense
Identify “weaker” holdings in two buckets:
Refresh your investment thesis
- If the story is great but the metrics don’t back it up, that’s a warning.
Trim overweight winners when they exceed your risk limit (without killing the position).
Consider a replacement list so selling becomes easier (you get excited about the upgrade).
For retirees: build a cash reserve to cover the income gap for ~2–3 years, without overdoing it.

Four Dividend Growth Stocks from My Exclusive List (Jan 8th)

The finale pulls ideas from the Dividend Rock Stars list, then pushes the filters further—looking for double-digit growth profiles across revenue, EPS, and dividends over five years.

Concepts explained

Dividend Rock Stars list: dividend-paying companies with a positive Dividend Triangle (revenue/EPS/dividend growth).
Chowder Rule (score of 8+): yield + dividend growth as a quick “balance” check (a starting point, not a guarantee).

The 4 stocks discussed

Broadcom (AVGO) — serial acquirer, strong cash flows, and positioned as “infrastructure” for faster computing (not just a trend play).
Dollarama (DOL.TO) — strong long-term triangle, disciplined expansion, and a playbook now replicated outside Canada.
Waste Connections (WCN / WCN.TO) — boring business, strong moat (landfills), stable contracts, and a “strong metrics / weaker price year” setup.
Casey’s General Stores (CASY) — a smaller-format growth story with room to expand store count meaningfully.

Save Your Spot for the How to Invest Free Webinar Now! Live Seats are Limited, but All Registrants Get the Instant Replay

You’ll Learn

How to avoid “sidelines syndrome” after strong multi-year market runs.
Why AI is no longer a single-sector story—and how to spot hidden concentration.
The difference between a normal correction and the kind of drawdown that tests your resolve.
A practical way to think about portfolio “protection” without timing the market.
How to evaluate high-yield stocks using the Dividend Triangle (and avoid dividend traps).
A simple annual game plan.
How a screened list (Dividend Triangle + Chowder Rule) can speed up idea generation—without pretending it’s foolproof.

Enter your name and email here to instantly download the Dividend Rock Stars List!