😮 March is ending with a bang and not the good kind.

📉 This week, the financial world got a sobering reality check. The U.S. stock market just posted its fifth straight week of losses its worst losing streak since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

🛢️ And at the centre of all of it? A single 21-mile-wide stretch of water in the Persian Gulf that is shaking the entire global economy.

☕ The Strait of Hormuz closure is no longer just a geopolitical headline. It is now arriving at your gas pump, your grocery store, and quite possibly your investment portfolio.

🚀 Here is what you need to know and more importantly, what you need to do.

💣 Since February 28, 2026, following joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has experienced an effective halt in commercial shipping traffic. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps issued warnings prohibiting vessel passage and has since made 21 confirmed attacks on merchant ships.

🛢️ The result? The closure removed approximately 20% of global oil supply from the market. Here's how fast oil prices moved:

😰 And the stock market has felt every single bit of it. Here's the week's damage across the major indexes:

Now let me show you what that market damage actually looks like:

🍁 While global stock markets were bleeding this week, Canada's energy sector was sitting in a strikingly different position.

📞 As the Iran conflict threatens global supply, countries around the world are calling Ottawa. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson confirmed he's been fielding calls from nations eager to buy Canadian energy exports.

💰 Here's the tale of two Canadas right now:

Now here's how Brent oil has moved since the conflict began:

💡 The Move: Canada is not a victim of this oil shock, it is one of the few countries structurally positioned to benefit. Energy stocks on the TSX have been among the strongest performers of 2026.

📅 If you don't have energy sector exposure in your TFSA or RRSP, this is worth examining. The next Bank of Canada rate decision is April 29, 2026 with stagflation fears growing, it could be the most consequential announcement of the year.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX)

🛢️America's Energy Fortress

The Update 📈

📈 Chevron has emerged as one of the top performers in the S&P 500 in 2026, up over 22% year-to-date while most of the market has been falling.

Why I'm Interested 🤔

⚙️ Chevron successfully integrated its Hess acquisition, ramping up production in the Bakken and Permian Basin. It's now on track to produce 1 million barrels per day in the Permian alone.

🤔 But here's what makes Chevron really interesting it's built to WIN even when oil prices fall back:

Morningstar Rating: ★ ★ ★

52-Week Low/High: $130.22 — $212.45

💰 For newcomer investors, Chevron is a case study in what a "quality cyclical" stock looks like a company in a volatile industry so well-run and financially disciplined that it can pay you a growing dividend even when times are tough.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not investment advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making investment decisions.

😰 If you have been watching your investment account this month and feeling a knot in your stomach, you are not alone. But before you do anything with your money, let's make sure you understand exactly what is happening.

What is a Market Correction?

📉 A market correction is defined as a drop of 10% or more from a recent peak in a stock market index like the S&P 500 or the TSX. A drop of 20% or more is called a bear market. As of this week, the Dow Jones has entered correction territory, and the Nasdaq is down nearly 13% from its October peak.

✅ Corrections are completely normal. In fact, they happen on average once every 1–2 years. Every single correction in history has eventually recovered, the question is never if the market will come back, but when. 👇

The Three Things You Should NOT Do Right Now 🚫

The One Thing You SHOULD Do ✅

💰 Use this moment to review your emergency fund. A market correction is a powerful reminder of why financial experts always say: never invest money you cannot afford to leave invested for at least 3–5 years. Your emergency fund ideally 3–6 months of living expenses, sitting in a high-yield savings account is what gives you the freedom to leave your investments alone when markets get rocky.

😤 It's completely understandable but for most people, moving to cash is not the right move. Here's why.

📊 The biggest market gains in history happen in the days and weeks immediately after the worst periods of fear. If you move to cash and miss even 10 of the best days in the market over a decade, your returns are cut roughly in half. That's not a risk worth taking.

🎯 What you should do is make sure your money is correctly allocated for your situation:

💡 The goal is not to react to the market. The goal is to have a plan so good that the market's mood swings don't matter.

🤝 The Newcomer Wealth Community: Join us to get your specific questions answered this is exactly what we are here for!

💬 Need Personalized Guidance? For those deeper, one-on-one questions about your specific situation (Setting up TFSAs, RRSPs, FHSA, RESP, credit cards, stocks/ETFs picking or anything else!), I offer personalized coaching sessions. Learn more and book your spot! 💬

See you next week!

Warmly,
Yudara Bernard
Founder, Newcomer Wealth