Industry News

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Falling stocks force banks to market

It may have marked the worst period of stock market performance since the Dirty Thirties, but the fourth quarter of 2008 saw a surge in equity issuance, according to the Investment Industry Association of Canada. Equity financings for the final three quarters totalled $12.7 billion, thanks in large part to the financial sector’s need to […]

By Steven Lamb |February 26, 2009

2 min read

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Briefly: “TFSA well known, thanks to ads” and more news

The advertising campaigns appear to be paying off, at least in bringing the TFSA to the attention of the investing public, according to a survey by TNS Canadian Facts. The poll found that 79% of Canadians were aware of the TFSA, falling just shy of the awareness of RESPs (84%). The RRSP remains the king […]

By Staff |February 26, 2009

3 min read

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Hedge fund industry willing to open up

The largest international hedge fund organization, the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), says it wants to work with global regulatory initiatives to improve the transparency of hedge fund activity. In light of high-profile blowups in the hedge fund space of recent, including frauds like the one committed by Bernie Madoff, there have been increased calls […]

By Mark Noble |February 25, 2009

4 min read

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Briefly: “Capital spending to fall, despite stimulus” and more news

Even with government stimulus, investment in non-residential construction, machinery and equipment is expected to fall 6.6% in 2009, to $237.5 billion, according to StatsCan. Public sector spending is expected to rise 9.5% to $79.6 billion, but that will be more than offset by a 13.1% reduction in private sector spending. Overall, private capital investment is […]

By Staff |February 25, 2009

4 min read

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Caisse reports significant losses

The Caisse de dèpôt et placement du Quèbec announced a 25% decrease in returns for 2008. The net investment results were down $39.8 billion, 56% of which is unrealized decreases in value. These losses have cancelled out a large portion of the $63.2 billion in returns that the Caisse were earned in the last five […]

By April Scott-Clarke |February 25, 2009

2 min read

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Ontario urged to restructure regulatory regime

The Ontario Securities Commission is no stranger to criticism, counting few friends among either the industry it regulates or the investors it is charged with protecting. So when the Ontario Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Government Agencies asks for submissions on how to improve services, the OSC can expect to get an earful. A common […]

By Mark Noble |February 24, 2009

3 min read

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Briefly: “Financial advice most sought-after staff benefit” and more…

A recent report released by Shepell•fgi Research Group, Financial Distress Impacts Health and Productivity, found that the number of requests for financial counselling and consultation are increasing at twice the rate of all other employee assistance program services (EAP). In the second half of 2008, there was a 13% increase in the rate of access […]

By Staff |February 24, 2009

4 min read

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A fresh look at due diligence

Do investors really know the risks associated with their chosen investments? For many of them, the answer may be no, according to Craig Asche, director of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association. Asche, who heads up the Massachusetts-based association that accredits the CAIA designation, was in Toronto last week to meet with key stakeholders in […]

By Mark Noble |February 23, 2009

4 min read

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Canadian pension funds to take action in 2009

Last year was the worst year on record for Canadian pension plans, but fund managers have several options to help them draw valuable lessons from the economic crisis and to prepare for a return to better times, according to Morneau Sobeco. With a median return of -16.5% in 2008, Canadian pension funds suffered the most […]

By Jody White |February 23, 2009

3 min read

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Briefly: “Consumers cheering up: IG poll” and more of Monday’s news

The spectre of further economic decline and climbing unemployment is weighing less heavily on the Canadian consumer, according to a Harris/Decima survey conducted for Investors Group. The poll found that consumer confidence in February has returned to a reading of 67.0, the same level as in August 2008. Twice as many respondents felt they’d be […]

By Staff |February 23, 2009

3 min read

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