HDV looks like the stronger defensive sleeve versus SCHD in bear markets and bigger pullbacks. Backtests suggest HDV has a higher probability of outperforming SCHD and the S&P 500. In 2022, the S&P 500 fell 20%, SCHD dropped more than 3%, while HDV gained close to 7%. 1
π§Ύ Cross-Border Investing & Tax Friction
The 15% issue is most likely the U.S. dividend withholding tax in Canadian accounts. Canadian investors can simply convert CAD into USD and buy U.S. stocks directly, but CAD-listed products are often operationally easier for Canadian salaried workers paid in CAD every two weeks. 2
π Technical Analysis Use Case
Technicals still matter, even for investors who do not trade purely off charts. The real value is reading where big-money resistance and support zones sit, how short-term sentiment is shifting, and what statistical range price action is likely to follow. 3
π§ Semiconductor Capex Risk
The market is worried about Samsung / SK Hynix and their εεΉ΄1.3δΈηΎι capex plan for two reasons: first, capex could eat into cash flow; second, future capacity release could smash memory pricing and pressure margins. 4
π¦ Single-Stock Setup
$BRK.A looks coiled for a strong move higher. The setup also matters for linked portfolio names like $AAPL, $AXP, $KO, $BAC, and $GOOGL. 5
π€ AI, Philosophy & Human Agency
In the AI era, the real bottleneck is not the model. It is mental laziness and intellectual cowardice. Philosophy becomes more important because it forces better questions, not just faster answers. 6