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 MoneyLetter •2014-05-13 •
Five spring times ago, the doomsayers were running roughshod. This spring, the principal worries are of how much longer a bull run for the ages can last, how big the Read More
Money Reporter •2014-05-09 •
Announcing a REAL target for your retirement savings goals.
For a couple of issues of this newsletter advisory, I have been (more than) hinting at how the retirement/planning complex has been Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2014-05-06 •
Correction will coincide with six-month seasonal downswing
We’re still tiptoeing through queasy stock markets. So, don’t rest easy just yet.
A correction of some sort is under way — one that neatly Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-05-05 •
Worries over emerging markets continue, but North America looks poised for a recovery
The stock market has been in quite a funk these last few weeks.
Expectations of a reduction in stimulus Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-05-02 •
Continue to pursue a dollar-cost averaging program, emphasizing conservative, diversified, large-cap funds. Emerging markets hold appeal for aggressive investors.
OUR CURRENT THINKING: Notwithstanding the possibility of a sharp market correction Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-05-01 •
When you buy stocks in sectors and sub-sectors of the market, keep your goals in mind. If you’re a conservative, income-seeking investor, focus on utilities, financial stocks and consumer goods Read More
Money Reporter •2014-05-01 •
We applaud the Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) for taking the initiative to investigate how ordinary Canadians approach the dilemma of figuring out how they’re going to amass enough money to Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-04-30 •
When the baby boomers retire in large numbers, they’ll need a flow of goods. To pay for them, retired boomers will have to sell financial assets including stocks. The baby Read More
The TaxLetter •2014-04-28 •
Maximize your TFSA contribution in 2014
When the Government of Canada introduced Tax Free Savings Accounts effectively beginning in 2009, it set the contribution limit at $5,000 per year.
The plan was Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-04-23 •
Individual investors once had few asset classes (or types of investments) to choose from: There were common stocks, fixed-income investments (including preferred shares) and cash such as Treasury bills or Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-04-17 •
The quest for income can lead in many directions. And capital markets offer plenty of tools for the income investor’s needs. But a little planning can make things easier and Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-04-11 •
This $99,516 portfolio for income shows how you can buy stocks and trusts to receive a regular paycheque. Seven stocks pay dividends at different times of the year. Cycle 1 Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-04-10 •
Some of my research involves sentiment indicators, which measure the level of bullish or bearish behavior by two distinct groups of investors.
One group, sometimes referred to as the “smart Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-04-09 •
Specialty funds can be the most rewarding kind available. But they don’t necessarily stay that way for long. Astute, aggressive investors will recognize this and may move among specialty funds Read More
Money Reporter •2014-04-08 •
Announcing a REAL target for your retirement savings goals.
For a couple of issues of this newsletter advisory, I have been (more than) hinting at how the retirement/planning complex has been Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-04-07 •
It’s best to diversify across the five main sectors of the economy: finance, utilities, consumer products and services, manufacturing and resources. Each of these broad sectors is made up of Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-04-04 •
Our Investment Planning Committee believes the stocks in the column below have little appeal and should underperform the market over the next six months. We view them as holds or Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2014-04-03 •
As 2014 continues to unfold, both gold and silver are starting to perform impressively.
Both metals appear to have made major bottoms following gold’s plunge to US$1,180 an ounce at the Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-04-02 •
At first glance, it appears that small stocks do much better than big stocks.
But look closer and both groups do about the same most of the time.
From 1926 through 2006, Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-04-01 •
Where to put new money now
Continue to add new money to existing positions. Emphasize those positions that have suffered relative short-term weakness.
OUR CURRENT THINKING: Stock markets in North America and Read More
Money Reporter •2014-03-31 •
The Toronto market is up in peaceful fashion.
Please note the below data is to February 21, and the Toronto market has risen since then,
We are far enough into the New Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-03-28 •
THE MARKET THIS MONTH: April is the last month in the best six-month period for stocks. The U.S. and global economies are expected to grow faster in 2014 and raise Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2014-03-27 •
Just when folks are told to steer clear of certain investments, the trend changes. But that’s typical, is it not?
At the start of this year, the market mavens told investors Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-03-26 •
On this page, we outline what we expect the economy and stocks to do over the next 180 days. This assists us in listing 25 stocks that we expect to Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-03-25 •
One of the most important investment principles you can follow is to sidestep investments you don’t understand.
It’s a principle that some of the most successful, well-known investors, such as Warren Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-03-20 •
THE MARKET THIS MONTH: March is in the best six-month period for stocks (from November through April). Also, the U.S. and global economics are expected to grow in 2014 and Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-03-14 •
If stock markets correct in the near term, we advise you to add to your holdings when prices are down. Among funds that make good candidates for buying during corrections Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-03-12 •
Rebalancing your portfolio to your long-term asset allocation targets can be a good, useful part of your investment strategy, as it can protect you from harmful portfolio drift. In addition, Read More
The TaxLetter •2014-03-10 •
– Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP
Are you an investor who owns shares of a private holding company or investment corporation? Are you nearing retirement, or already retired?
Proper financial planning helped get Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-03-07 •
– John Stephenson, CFA
After the banner finish to the market last year, the price action on the S&P 500 has so far been somewhat dismal with stocks consolidating and digesting Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-03-06 •
Invest gradually. That way you’ll be in a position to take advantage of lower prices when stock-market corrections occur.
• Invest the core of your portfolio in conservative equity funds Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2014-03-03 •
– Keith Richards
Take advantage of short-lived reprieves to buy U.S. Dollars
The loonie recently cracked $0.93, a key support level against the U.S. dollar, fueling the likelihood of an even bigger decline.
Moreover, Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-02-27 •
– Ken Norquay, CMT
Is there an economic indicator that can help the average investor sort out the long-term ups and downs of the financial markets?
In my book, Beyond the Bull, Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-02-26 •
Markets have behaved perversely in recent months. Good economic news was sometimes greeted with a selloff as investors feared better times would only encourage the U.S. Federal Reserve to begin Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-02-24 •
Some investors bought gold for protection against potential inflation and paper currencies. But deflation is more a threat. And gold has drawbacks.
Gold is trading at US$1,318 an ounce. This is Read More
The TaxLetter •2014-02-12 •
Registered Retirement Savings Plans, or RRSPs, help you to save for a more comfortable retirement while deferring taxes – hopefully on more favorable terms – into the future.
But the investment Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-02-11 •
– Marc Johnson, CFA
Here’s a quick and easy way to spot a possible takeover candidate.
First, add the company’s total debt plus other obligations that an acquiror would have to assume. Read More
The TaxLetter •2014-02-04 •
The TaxLetter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
The government developed the attribution rules to prevent blatant income splitting.
Income splitting, of course, diverts income from a Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-01-31 •
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
Most investment strategies stress one of two approaches. One of these is to chase after the action; Read More
Money Reporter •2014-01-30 •
Money Reporter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
VERESEN INC.
Veresen is the former Fort Chicago Energy Partners L.P., and is principally invested in the energy Read More
The TaxLetter •2014-01-27 •
The TaxLetter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
– Samantha Prasad, LLB
In my last TaxLetter article, I wrote about winding up a family trust and how to Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-01-23 •
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
You may be thinking of buying a balanced fund sometime in the New Year. Rather than do Read More
Money Reporter •2014-01-22 •
Money Reporter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
What to do about common stocks
We experienced a nice little year-end rally in Canadian stocks. Over the past Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-01-21 •
The Investment Reporter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
The global economy is expected to grow more quickly in 2014. Also, North American companies are sitting on Read More
The TaxLetter •2014-01-17 •
The TaxLetter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
Some investment advisors think that you should never again contribute to an RRSP. In fact, some go further and Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-01-17 •
The Investment Reporter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
THE MARKET THIS MONTH: January is in the best six-month period for stocks. The strengthening U.S. and global Read More
The MoneyLetter •2014-01-16 •
The MoneyLetter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
– Keith Richards
As we begin the New Year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on past decisions we’ve made Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2014-01-15 •
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
Below, we discuss four equity funds we think you should consider investing in in 2014. They may Read More
Money Reporter •2014-01-14 •
Money Reporter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
U.S. investors made out like bandits
The final numbers are now in, and it turns out that the S&P/TSX Composite Read More
Investor's Digest of Canada •2014-01-10 •
Investor’s Digest of Canada, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846- Edited from an article by Elvis Picardo
The TSX Composite Index turned in a good performance in Read More
The Investment Reporter •2014-01-03 •
The Investment Reporter, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
The U.S. is doing better. So we’ve shifted our focus from U.S. companies that earn most of their Read More
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser •2013-12-27 •
Canadian Mutual Fund Adviser, MPL Communications Inc.
133 Richmond St.W., Toronto, ON, M5H 3M8. 1-800-804-8846
The Canadian stock market may yet catch up to the U.S. market. Or perhaps the U.S. Read More
