Adopting an appropriate investment strategy requires an investor to build a systematic plan of action to achieve his or her long term goals. The plan will determine the allocation of investable assets among stocks, bonds, cash and cash equivalents and alternative investments. The plan will consider such macro factors as economic trends, inflation and interest rates. Other factors are more personal–such as the investor’s age and risk tolerance as well as future needs for income and capital expenses. Tactics to achieve these individual strategic investment goals will inevitably involve a trade-off between risk and reward parameters. The expectation of higher returns will almost certainly involve the acceptance of some risk. Investors determined to follow their plan will commit it to writing. Then, when the going gets tough in stressful financial markets, the comfort of re-reading your strategic plan will remind you that you’re on the right path.
The TaxLetter •2017-12-31 •
Pondering taxes can be a headache-inducing exercise so we hope not to compound the after effects of anyone’s riotous holiday partying. In any event, TaxLetter columnist Mark Goodfield (aka The Read More
Money Reporter •2017-12-25 •
Scotia Canadian Dividend has been a relatively strong performer compared to its peers in the Canadian dividend and equity-income mutual fund category. It’s a fund that will fit with an Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-12-21 •
Jason Geall of Corwin Mortgage Capital explains the value of investing in private mortgages. This alternative investment is relatively unknown to investors, and readers of Investor’s Digest of Canada have Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-12-19 •
American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, give you benefits. One is diversification. It’s tempting to call ADRs American ‘Diversification’ Receipts. They give you industries that Canada lacks or has in short Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-12-13 •
Research has shown that the prices of individual stocks have become increasingly volatile since the early 1960s. This has led some to conclude that you need as many as 50 Read More
The TaxLetter •2017-12-10 •
It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking of both gift giving and tax planning opportunities. Contributing editor to The TaxLetter, Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, is a Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-12-06 •
Our ‘buy-low-sell-high’ approach to getting higher-than-average long-term returns has nothing to do with being brilliant when the stock market goes UP. It’s all about not losing when the market goes Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-12-03 •
American shale oil production is growing quickly. It’s set to make the US a net oil exporter again. This will reduce or eliminate Americans’ need for Canadian oil. Shale oil Read More
Money Reporter •2017-11-27 •
As the year winds down and markets flirt with new highs, it’s a good time to review your portfolio and make sure its asset allocation is suitable for your needs.
Most Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-11-23 •
‘Save your Confederate money, boys. The south will rise again.’ You may recall the lyrics about ‘Confederate’ dollars. They never did rise again. But the Yankee dollar? That’s another story. Read More
Money Reporter •2017-11-21 •
Scotia Canadian Dividend has been a relatively strong performer compared to its peers in the Canadian dividend and equity-income mutual fund category. It’s a fund that will fit with an Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-11-16 •
American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, give you benefits. One is diversification. It’s tempting to call ADRs American ‘Diversification’ Receipts. They give you industries that Canada lacks or has in short Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-11-14 •
Investor’s Digest contributor, Keith Richards of ValueTrend, shows investors an investment strategy known as the Elliott Wave Theory. He says the wave we experienced during 2017 is unprecedented and unusual. Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-11-07 •
It’s said that gold comes out of dark underground mines only to disappear into dark bank vaults. When we publish our gold stock survey, we do outline the yellow metal’s Read More
Money Reporter •2017-10-31 •
There is no shortage of ways to calculate the yield on a preferred share. When do you go by which one?
When it comes to calculating the yield on a bond Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-10-26 •
Benjamin Graham was the father of fundamental security analysis. His value-based stock-picking method has strong points—and weak points.
Benjamin Graham believes defensive investors should stick with large, prominent companies that are Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-10-18 •
Stock market speculators should continue to work in Canadian oil and gas stocks and precious metals stocks. Gold, silver, oil and natural gas are all in long-term up trends right Read More
Money Reporter •2017-10-10 •
Every month the Money Reporter, the newsletter for income-oriented investors, publishes its list of 25 recommended common stocks and 16 recommended mutual equity funds.
What to do about common stocks now
After Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-10-03 •
You can profit from shorter-term swings in value by looking for stocks that are stuck within a sideways trading range. ValueTrend portfolio manager Keith Richards reveals four stocks stuck in Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-10-01 •
Benjamin Graham wrote that investors should mostly ignore the stock market. They should buy only bargain stocks that the market greatly undervalues. And sell only shares that the market has Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-09-21 •
At ValueTrend, as the name suggests, portfolio management is driven by value-based principles. But, says portfolio manager Keith Richards, any system worth its salt will save you in the long Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-09-18 •
You can profit from shorter-term swings in value by looking for stocks that are stuck within a sideways trading range. ValueTrend portfolio manager Keith Richards reveals four stocks stuck in Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-09-14 •
Four times a year The Investment Reporter reviews its outlook for the economy’s five main sectors—financial, utilities, manufacturing, consumer and resources. Its guiding rule is that investors keep at least Read More
Money Reporter •2017-09-11 •
So a stock pays you less than a dollar a share. Are those pennies really all that important? Maybe more than you think. Long-time strategic investors look particularly for stocks Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-09-06 •
The MoneyLetter columnist Ken Norquay creates a long-term investment strategy based on his study of behavioural finance and its effect on the stock markets. He says if the S&P 500 Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-09-03 •
Seasonal financial analyst Don Vialoux says precious metals and their mining stocks generally reach a seasonal low in July and pick up speed again until late September. Cyclical stocks usually Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-08-10 •
ValueTrend portfolio manager Keith Richards doesn’t think the Canadian dollar will rise beyond the $0.79 to $0.80 US dollar range. And, says Keith: “I’m putting my money where my mouth Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-08-07 •
‘Le jour de gloire est arrivé,’ according to Equium Capital Management president Cameron Hurst. Mr. Hurst sees more stability in Germany and riskier opportunities in Italy and Spain, but he Read More
Money Reporter •2017-07-31 •
Cyclical investing works if the timing is right. The key question is: “Is this the right time?” Our current expansion (begun in 2009) is getting long in the tooth. Sectors Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-07-30 •
Since 1802, the US dollar has lost 95 per cent of its purchasing power. After inflation, that dollar invested in US stocks would’ve soared to $704,997 by 2012; invested in Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-07-26 •
Would starting all over again from scratch make you a better investor? For behavioural finance analyst Ken Norquay, a friend’s sudden and total move across the country caused him to Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-07-23 •
Now that people are living longer, it’s no surprise that one of the biggest concerns among aging Canadians is the genuine fear of outliving retirement savings. And most people would Read More
Money Reporter •2017-07-18 •
The S&P/TSX hasn’t shared in the current strength of global stock markets. In fact, the Toronto market has lost ground since it reached an all-time high in February. Only a Read More
The TaxLetter •2017-07-16 •
There are many reasons to liquidate your investments. But before seeking the safety of cash and low-risk income investments, you must consider the potential tax implications. Toronto-based Minden Gross tax Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-07-02 •
Technical analyst Brian Hoffman sets share price support levels for three mainstream blue chip stocks, gold and silver bullion, six precious metals stocks and a gold ETF during the traditionally Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-06-21 •
Hero today, Zero tomorrow. That’s how ValueTrend portfolio manager Keith Richards reminds himself that sector rotation is becoming faster and more pronounced of late. So who’s hot, and who’s not? Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-06-20 •
To find stability amid volatility, columnist Mark Halpern details the oft-ignored (or simply unknown) advantages of taking out participating life insurance as an investment option. Participating insurance is a more Read More
Money Reporter •2017-06-19 •
Every month the Money Reporter, the newsletter for investors whose interest is more interest, publishes its list of recommended bonds and preferred shares. We currently recommend a 50-50 split between Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-06-13 •
When you buy stocks in sectors and sub-sectors of the market, keep your portfolio balance goals in mind. If you’re a conservative, income-seeking investor, focus on utilities, financial and consumer Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-06-08 •
Moody’s has downgraded the big six Canadian banks. But, much like when a tree falls in the forest, did anyone hear it? Professional money managers, who talk like bulls and Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-05-11 •
Your home is likely your biggest investment. And your job is likely your biggest source of income. As a result, you should build an investment portfolio that hedges against the Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-05-09 •
There’s still a few weeks before it’s time to sell in May and go away. Barrie, Ont.-based ValueTrend portfolio manager Keith Richards notes their portfolios still hold plenty of U.S. Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-05-03 •
Barrie, Ontario-based ValueTrend portfolio manager Keith Richards picks four income stocks that share the characteristics of: 1) consistency in dividend payment over time; 2) potential for growth of the dividend; Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-04-26 •
We’ve always held a high opinion of dollar-cost averaging. That’s because we’ve often seen this investment strategy richly reward those who follow it.
To dollar-cost average, of course, you invest equal Read More
The TaxLetter •2017-04-23 •
So you’re a hands-on investor and you want to decide for yourself which investments go into your self-directed Registered Retirement Savings Plan. TaxLetter contributing editor Samantha Prasad, a tax partner Read More
The MoneyLetter •2017-04-19 •
When Canada’s real estate balloon starts to fizzle will it take Canadian financials stocks down with it? Behavioural finance analyst Ken Norquay recalls lessons of the past for readers of Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-04-18 •
In a government debt crisis, is there a possibility of precious metals being seized? Professional gold bug Nick Barisheff examines the history and likelihood of government confiscation or expropriation of Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-04-13 •
Despite working in the finance industry for nearly 20 years, securities analyst and portfolio manager Randy Cass’ best strategic investment advice to investors is to sit back and let the Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-04-11 •
We believe that the rate of inflation will quicken. This would drive up interest rates. Higher interest rates hurt bonds. Consider investing in shorter-term interest-producing investments. Or buy stocks. Inflation Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2017-04-09 •
The Trump rally is predicated on promises of things that may never happen or prove very difficult to fulfil. That in turn sets up the markets for a major disappointment Read More
The Investment Reporter •2017-04-05 •
American and Canadian stock markets face some risks. We advise you to continue to gradually invest in high-quality stocks, but if you’re fearful about a stock market setback, then conserve Read More
Money Reporter •2017-04-04 •
Puts and calls may seem a little bit exotic at first, but their potential to earn you some handsome extra income from stocks you already own may well be worth Read More
