Industry News

Decorative pattern

Pension growth stalls: StatsCan

A downturn in the stock markets and a rising Canadian dollar are curtailing growth in employer-sponsored pension funds, Statistics Canada reports. Growth in pension plans stalled in the third quarter of 2007. The market value of assets in these pension funds amounted to $957.2 billion for the three-month period ending September 2007, virtually unchanged from […]

By Mark Noble |March 13, 2008

3 min read

Decorative pattern

On The Shelf:

(March 12, 2008) Mackenzie Investments has announced it is reopening the Mackenzie Cundill Recovery Fund, effective March 28, 2008, after leaving it closed for nearly two years. “Mackenzie closed Cundill Recovery Fund in 2006, as finding appropriate investment opportunities to deploy a growing cash position had become increasingly difficult,” said David Feather, president of Mackenzie […]

By Staff |March 12, 2008

2 min read

Decorative pattern

Climate change becoming a priority for most banks

Canada’s banks are finally getting the climate change message, but some are doing better than others when it comes to making a greener future for the country. The Ethical Funds Company released a report Wednesday that rated the Big Five banks on 25 climate-specific indicators from its Corporate Sustainability Scorecard. “As a pillar of the […]

By Bryan Borzykowski |March 12, 2008

4 min read

Decorative pattern

Precious metals vital to portfolio: CFA Institute

Investors could significantly improve long-term performance and downside risk in their portfolios by increasing their holdings in precious metals, particularly precious metal equities, a new report by the CFA Institute concludes. Using data compiled between 1976 and 2004, the authors of the report write that portfolio performance improves if precious metals are added. According to […]

By Mark Noble |March 12, 2008

5 min read

Decorative pattern

Briefly:

(March 11, 2008) Western Financial Group has dropped its bid to acquire Community Savings Credit Union, after the target’s board of directors refused to put the issue before the credit union members. “Community Savings was an ideal platform on which we could mutually build a leading western Canadian financial leader,” said Scott Tannas, president and […]

By Staff |March 11, 2008

2 min read

Decorative pattern

West remains best in growth: report

The province of Manitoba is expected to lead the rest of the country in economic growth in 2008, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s Provincial Outlook — Winter 2008. “Boosted by ongoing construction projects, robust domestic spending and an optimistic outlook for manufacturing, the Manitoba economy is firing on all cylinders,” said Marie-Christine Bernard, […]

By Steven Lamb |March 11, 2008

2 min read

Decorative pattern

Securities earnings improve, future uncertain

After a significant revenue slump in Q3, the securities industry managed to post gains in the final quarter of 2007, according to the Investment Industry Association of Canada’s quarterly Securities Industry Performance Report. Industry revenues hit $4.3 billion in the final three months of the year, up 11% quarter over quarter. “Despite considerable volatility … […]

By Bryan Borzykowski |March 11, 2008

5 min read

Decorative pattern

Briefly:

(March 10, 2008) Despite concerns of an economic slowdown and fears that the housing market could collapse, Canadian housing starts jumped 15.4% in February, to 256,900. That beat expectations by almost 47,000 starts. Multiple-unit housing starts were the strongest segment, making up 140,700 starts. Almost all regions showed improvement, with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba showing […]

By Staff |March 10, 2008

2 min read

Decorative pattern

Wealthy take biggest hit in retirement: StatsCan

Your wealthy clients might have more money now, but expect their income to decline significantly — at least compared to that of low-income earners — during their retirement years. A new Statistics Canada report says that, on average, 75-year-old Canadians had “family disposable incomes” that were 80% of what they earned when they were 55. […]

By Bryan Borzykowski |March 10, 2008

3 min read

Decorative pattern

Opinion mixed on RESP change

The proposed tax deduction for registered education savings plans (RESP) has sparked controversy among advisors. Some are worried students will not be able to bear the tax consequences when they withdraw money from their RESPs, while others feel this new bill does nothing to help lower-income families. The legislation, which is currently being reviewed by […]

By Mark Noble |March 10, 2008

4 min read

← Previous 1 … 1,859 1,860 1,861 1,862 1,863 … 2,188 Next →