Investments

Replacement for RHU rolled out

As the drive for accreditation ramps up, advisors wanting to add more letters to their business cards now have another option. The Institute for Advanced Financial Education will offer the Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) designation starting September 1, 2011. This new designation is meant for advisors looking to specialize in the field of living […]

By Melissa Shin |June 1, 2011

1 min read

Market Insights

Why financial literacy matters

The first quote is from a report prepared by Professor Saul Schwartz of Carleton University for the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP).

By Peter Drake |May 31, 2011

6 min read

Market Insights

Mackenzie boosts fixed-income expertise

Effective June 1, Mackenzie Investments adds Putnam Investments as sub-advisor to several Mackenzie high-yield corporate bond funds. Putnam will assume portfolio management responsibilities for Mackenzie Sentinel Corporate Bond Fund, Mackenzie Sentinel North American Corporate Bond Class and Mackenzie Sentinel Registered North American Corporate Bond Fund, as well as becoming one of the managers on the […]

By Staff |May 31, 2011

1 min read

Market Insights

Retirees offer advice for boomers

Canadian retirees are largely happy with the way their post-career lives are working out, but they admit they wish they'd received more advice before they stopped working. Now they're offering the advice they wish they'd gotten.

By Staff |May 31, 2011

2 min read

Global bonds reduce risk: Russell

The Bank of Canada may have held the line on monetary policy on Tuesday, but the spectre of rising interest rates continues to hang over Canadian bond investors. Eventually, the Bank will make its move, wiping out billions in capital value. Fixed income investors should look further afield to protect their portfolios, as global bonds […]

By Staff |May 31, 2011

2 min read

Commodity prices soared in April

The price of Canada’s main export commodities soared 6.1% in April, marking 60.4% increase from cyclical lows in April 2009, according to Scotiabank. The spike in the bank’s Commodity Price Index reading was largely attributable to the energy sector, as the price of Edmonton par price (light oil) jumped more than US$16 per barrel. That […]

By Staff |May 30, 2011

2 min read

Bastasic joins IA Clarington

IA Clarington Investments has hired award-winning portfolio manager Dan Bastasic as senior vice-president and portfolio manager. Bastasic comes to IA Clarington from Mackenzie Financial, where he was vice-president, investments. “We are extremely pleased to add a talented money manager like Dan Bastasic to our team,” said David Scandiffio, president, IA Clarington. “Dan’s hiring gives us […]

By Staff |May 30, 2011

1 min read

Inflation pummels bond market

Inflation expectations are on the rise in Canada. It seems its time for investors to ditch the bond market and dive into an equity market primed for plum pickings. “As the result of the inflation expectation rising, we will at some point in time see bond yields rise,” says Paul Taylor, chief investment officer, BMO […]

3 min read

Dispelling hedge fund myths

As you plan, you will undoubtedly consider asset allocation and risk tolerance. Hedge funds can play an important role due to their non-correlation with traditional investments and the ability to provide true portfolio diversification. Yet myths about hedge funds continue to keep advisors and investors on the sidelines.

5 min read