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.
Investor's Digest of Canada •November 2, 2015 •
Keith Richards, portfolio manager at Barrie, Ont.-based Value Trend/Wealth Management has spotted a long legged doji, or rickshaw man, on his candlestick charts. This rickshaw man pattern indicates indecision and Read More
The MoneyLetter •October 18, 2015 •
Dividend paying stocks add stability and investment quality to your portfolio. And dividends account for a lot–maybe as much as a third to a half–of your total returns.
Many investors are Read More
The MoneyLetter •October 11, 2015 •
Happy Thanksgiving, Canada! Celebrating with your extended family on all your favorite foodstuffs and libations? Conversation inevitably evolving from elucidating insights to more passionate opinions? Given that The Great White Read More
The Investment Reporter •October 8, 2015 •
Warrants are alternative investments to the stocks they give you the right to buy. And they cost a lot less than those stocks you have a right to buy. Also, Read More
The MoneyLetter •October 5, 2015 •
Recent escalated market volatility was a signal to sell—now. In nautical terms, that spike in volatility was a ‘shot across the bow’. Ken Norquay, a regular contributor to The MoneyLetter Read More
The MoneyLetter •September 14, 2015 •
This choppy, sideways market is no place for a buy-and-hold investment strategy. The best approach is one of constant sector rotation. So says Keith Richards, a portfolio manager at Barrie, Read More
The Investment Reporter •September 13, 2015 •
Stock markets have plunged around the world. But we see no 2008- and 2009-style market meltdown on the way. As a result, make the most of this market setback. Continue Read More
Money Reporter •September 2, 2015 •
Severe market corrections cause many investors to question their long term strategic investment plans. ‘Buy low; Sell high’ is a popular, but not very helpful, investment strategy. Better you should Read More
The TaxLetter •August 18, 2015 •
Markham, Ontario-based Mark Halpern is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and CEO of WEALTHinsurance.com and illnessPROTECTION.com. He says new rules are coming in 2017 but Read More
The Investment Reporter •August 11, 2015 •
Jeremy Siegel is a professor of finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book Stocks for the Long Run. Professor Siegel points out Read More
The MoneyLetter •August 9, 2015 •
Balanced investors should now hold about two per cent of their total investment portfolio in cash, which is up from the one per cent we previously advised you to hold. Read More
The Investment Reporter •August 6, 2015 •
Some lesser-developed countries look attractive. But investing abroad exposes you to considerable risks. So your strategic investment objectives should include finding safer ways to profit. One is to buy the Read More
The MoneyLetter •August 3, 2015 •
It’s crucial to create—and stick with—an investment plan. Here’s how Keith Richards, portfolio manager at Barrie, Ontario-based ValueTrend Wealth Management approaches the investment strategy of risk/reward-based trading.
After reading an article Read More
The Investment Reporter •July 29, 2015 •
Usually, the higher a company’s cash flow, the better. That’s because companies can use their cash flow to grow by investing in plant and equipment or by making acquisitions. Companies Read More
The Investment Reporter •July 15, 2015 •
Underpriced slower-growing companies are often better investments than overpriced fast-growing companies. In other words, value investing often pays more than growth investing.
Jeremy Siegel is a professor Read More
Money Reporter •July 13, 2015 •
As we enter the second half of 2015, we are maintaining the asset allocation advice we’ve had in place for some time now. To start with, we recommend you continue Read More
The TaxLetter •July 9, 2015 •
Sending someone away from home to university for four years can cost more than $100,000. That’s taking into account tuition, books, transportation, room and board, and incidentals. Government cutbacks, inflation, Read More
The MoneyLetter •July 7, 2015 •
Six years ago was the right time for aggressive investing. The time for extreme caution is coming soon. That’s the market outlook from Ken Norquay, CMT and author of the Read More
The Investment Reporter •July 6, 2015 •
Knowing when to sell stocks, as we point out from time to time, is one of the most pitfall-riddled aspects of strategic investing. Selling is a skill nobody ever masters. Read More
Money Reporter •July 2, 2015 •
Is now the time to sell your equities? Or is this really the question you should be asking yourself? No equity investment is immune when the stock market outlook suggests Read More
The Investment Reporter •June 28, 2015 •
The 10 conglomerates followed by The Investment Reporter have out-performed the market recently. But they can suffer from some of the drawbacks outlined below. Often strategic investment planning for ‘De-conglomeration’ Read More
The MoneyLetter •June 19, 2015 •
Overall, the stock market outlook remains volatile, while the bond market outlook could be on the verge of a tantrum. Here’s where to find some comfort food for the soul—and Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •June 11, 2015 •
Conventional wisdom is, well, conventional—and often inappropriate. Sunil Vidyarthi, president of Oakville, Ont.-based Value Sciences Inc., says the wisdom of putting bonds in your RRSP is flawed. In fact stocks Read More
The MoneyLetter •June 10, 2015 •
Few gamblers make money. But if taking the occasional punt gives you some fun, then go ahead. We wouldn’t deny you the thrill. But be aware that it is a Read More
Money Reporter •June 4, 2015 •
When a security you hold loses more than 40 per cent, it’s tempting to just simply take your losses and move on. But this type of move is more applicable Read More
The Investment Reporter •June 3, 2015 •
ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) make it easy for you to buy overseas companies and provide you with an extra measure of safety that you would not get with a direct Read More
The Investment Reporter •May 28, 2015 •
Benjamin Graham wrote that investors should ignore the stock market most of the time. They should buy shares that the market greatly undervalues. And sell shares that the market has Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •May 26, 2015 •
Conglomerates often get a bad rap for being a jack of all trades. But for investors seeking diversification, these multi-sector stocks can be just the ticket. That’s the word from Read More
Money Reporter •May 25, 2015 •
The Money Reporter tells you where to get the best GIC interest rates, best bond investments from both government and corporate issuers, and the best straight and floating rate preferred Read More
The MoneyLetter •May 20, 2015 •
John Stephenson, portfolio manager and president of Toronto-based Stephenson & Company Capital Management Inc., says the recent dramatic decline in the greenback is unlikely to be sustained for an extended Read More
The Investment Reporter •May 19, 2015 •
Rules of thumb and popular stock market indicators may have some place in your long term investment strategy. But probably only for your amusement. Pay attention to them only when Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •May 18, 2015 •
After posting modest returns in 2014, Canadian bonds have gotten off to a strong start so far this year. Year to date, the FTSE Universe Bond Index has gained 4.2 Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •May 15, 2015 •
Gold is an excellent electrical conductor—but copper does the job just as well and is a whole lot cheaper. Paul de Sousa, executive vice president of Bullion Management Group in Read More
Money Reporter •May 14, 2015 •
Examine the risk-versus-reward relationship of a security before you take the plunge. Strategic investment planning starts with an honest appraisal of your own risk tolerance.
There are many investments you can Read More
The MoneyLetter •May 8, 2015 •
Behavioural finance author Ken Norquay says generals need to be cunning, decisive, resourceful, while privates are loyal, obedient, self-sacrificing. As an investor, you need to establish the best long term Read More
The MoneyLetter •April 29, 2015 •
Nature is springing back to life. But the markets are likely to correct significantly. Rebalance to emphasize cash and low-beta stocks. Keith Richards, portfolio manager at Barrie, Ont.-based ValueTrend suggests Read More
The Investment Reporter •April 28, 2015 •
It’s late to sell cheaper Canadian stocks, convert to pricey U.S. dollars and buy costlier U.S. stocks. This strategy is apt to backfire. Many of The Investment Reporter’s Key Canadian Read More
Money Reporter •April 23, 2015 •
The Money Reporter regularly publishes tables of recommended government bonds, corporate bonds and preferred shares suitable for income-oriented investors. The monthly Fact and Advice Sheet also gives guidance for current Read More
The Investment Reporter •April 22, 2015 •
Making money with your investments is simple. You don’t need an elaborate theory, a complex formula, a degree in economics or a crystal ball. You need an investment strategy. Your Read More
The MoneyLetter •April 17, 2015 •
While the United States is entering an extended period of monetary tightening, Europe is beginning its experiment of unbridled and unrestrained monetary stimulus. One thing that investors know from the Read More
The Investment Reporter •April 10, 2015 •
If Warren Buffett had followed the advice of The Investment Reporter 15 years ago he might today be the world’s richest man–not number 3.
We came up with this admittedly tongue-in-cheek Read More
The MoneyLetter •March 27, 2015 •
There appears to be lots of cheer as the markets keep rising. But the 200-day moving average suggests this is a bear . . . in bull’s clothing. Understanding institutional Read More
The Investment Reporter •March 26, 2015 •
Investors should diversify across many ‘asset classes’. One of these asset classes, of course, is fixed-income investments, like bonds. The trouble is, with interest rates so low (even on long-term Read More
The MoneyLetter •March 18, 2015 •
Limit the risk of your holdings. Adopt an investment strategy that will let you profit from—rather than be victimized by—bear market conditions. Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •March 9, 2015 •
Although cheap gas is great for motorists, it could wreak havoc with Canada’s energy sector, as well as the market for junk bonds.
Central banks throughout the West last year found Read More
The MoneyLetter •March 6, 2015 •
The European Central Bank, or ECB, ushered in a new era by launching an aggressive bond-buying program in January. The euro zone is one of the global economy’s biggest trouble Read More
The Investment Reporter •March 5, 2015 •
Is your self confidence waning? Do you feel you may be better off putting your money in a mutual fund and leaving stock selection to the fund’s professional managers? You Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •March 4, 2015 •
Investing for current income requires an entirely different way of thinking than does investing for growth. But mutual funds that offer current income as their main purpose still report their Read More
The MoneyLetter •February 25, 2015 •
“As a technical analyst, I tend to avoid making longer-term predictions about markets, sectors or commodity prices. I find that forecasting market movements or events out beyond a few months Read More
The TaxLetter •February 17, 2015 •
Putting money into your Registered Retirement Savings Plan, or RRSP, is a great way to start planning for your retirement. And there’s no better time to start thinking about your Read More
The MoneyLetter •February 4, 2015 •
It’s the job of any financial writer to see through fresh eyes, to look for traps and false assumptions in the world of money. Investors who weathered the stormy bear markets of 2000 to 2003 and 2008 to 2009 know only too well what can happen to the unwary. Read More
The Investment Reporter •February 3, 2015 •
Oil prices have plummeted since June, 2014. Other commodity prices have declined. This has hurt the share prices of the producers. Oil companies are a lot cheaper than they were. The same is true of many mining companies that we review Read More
