Industry

Economists downplay positive January data

Word on the street has it that the Canadian economy is headed for a slowdown, so it may come as a surprise that January saw a big, positive jump in both employment and housing data. Last month 46,000 net jobs were created, pushing the unemployment rate down to 5.8%, its lowest level in 33 years. […]

By Bryan Borzykowski |February 8, 2008

3 min read

Industry

On The Shelf:

(February 7, 2008) Desjardins Group has announced that it is getting rid of front-end load fees for members when they purchase external funds or Northwest and Ethical Funds through the caisse/branch network in Quebec and Ontario. Pierre Moran, senior vice-president, consumer markets, at Desjardins, says removing the fees will provide greater portfolio management flexibility. The […]

By Staff |February 7, 2008

2 min read

Industry

By The Book: BCSC dismisses Golden request

(February 7, 2008) The BCSC has dismissed an application by the IDA to block an order brought by Golden Capital Securities. Golden had been ordered to identify documents stored on its hard drives to IDA staff no later than January 11, 2008. Golden claimed client/solicitor privilege on the documents, but the BCSC disagreed. The firm […]

By Staff |February 7, 2008

1 min read

Industry

S&P proposes overhaul of ratings process

As the chorus of voices for credit rating reform grows, one of the world’s largest rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s, has announced it will overhaul its process. “The ongoing transformation of the financial markets requires us to continue to bring more innovative thinking, greater resources and improved analytics to the ratings process,” says Deven Sharma, […]

By Mark Noble |February 7, 2008

4 min read

AGF Market Insight: Investments that Make the Grade

AGF can help your clients’ investments make the grade with the launch of three new funds managed by Highstreet Asset Management Inc. Find out about Highstreet, quantitative investing, how it shapes their process and adds value to returns. Plus learn more about the new funds – AGF Canadian All Cap Equity Fund, AGF Global High […]

By Staff |February 6, 2008

1 min read

On The Shelf:

(February 6, 2008) TD Asset Management announced today that it will pull the plug on three mutual funds. The three funds, all based on U.S holdings, are U.S. Blue ChipEquity (currency-neutral fund), U.S. Mid-Cap Growth (currency-neutral fund) and U.S. Small-Cap Equity (currency-neutral fund). TD’s announcement to terminate the funds means no more units will be […]

By Staff |February 6, 2008

2 min read

Calls for credit rating agency reform grow

A task force established by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to study the sub-prime mortgage crisis announced on Tuesday that it wants to see significant reforms in the way international credit rating agencies conduct business, something the task force believes will help prevent future credit crises. The Task Force on the Subprime Crisis, […]

By Mark Noble |February 6, 2008

3 min read

Expect another correction soon: Rubin

Not quite a week into February and the markets are as unpredictable as ever. And according to noted CIBC economist Jeff Rubin, it’s likely we’ll see many more ups and downs in the coming months. Rubin says the markets will likely drop another 5%, as North American banks continue with write-downs. “The tandem of falling […]

3 min read

On The Shelf:

(February 5, 2008) TD Bank Financial Group’s logo might already be green, but soon the company’s entire operation will be environmentally friendly. The bank announced Tuesday that its Canadian operations would be carbon neutral by 2010. The bank is also launching the TD Emissions Reduction Fund, which will allow the organization to invest in projects […]

By Staff |February 5, 2008

3 min read