(March 21, 2005) Irrationality has long been the bane and the driver of financial markets, but just as financial advisors need to be vigilant about their advice and client investment decisions, a lesser recognized risk — a potentially powerful Achilles heel for many people — is the urge to avoid taxes. Paying taxes is inevitable […]
(March 16, 2005) The investment world is a rocky place these days — oil is up and doesn’t show signs of coming down much, commodities are also higher but will likely decline, credit is everywhere and there are even rumours across the pond that bankruptcy advisors are starting to hire extra staff. Despite, or perhaps […]
(March 14, 2005) Rather than simply viewing tax time as the blessed end of financial planning season, last minute meetings and RRSP cramming, advisors can use tax resources provided by fund companies this time of year to help clients and themselves. One such offering, the Mutual Fund Tax Guide, comes annually from Mackenzie Financial. Carol […]
(March 11, 2005) Interest in alternative investing, fueled by heightened investor sophistication and lacklustre market performance in certain asset classes, is evidenced by the growing membership roster at the Canadian chapter of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA). The Canadian chapter of AIMA is the largest and the second youngest in the world, after South […]
(March 8, 2005) Morningstar has just added another toy to the toolbox for fee-based advisors and those thinking about heading in that direction. The Morningstar Canada F-series fund database, available to advisors who subscribe to the F-series research module of the company’s Advisor Workstation, has over 800 funds listed from 29 different sponsors. The database […]
(March 7, 2005) Portus investors might have an easier time getting information about the company and their investments after the troubled hedge fund firm was put into receivership late Friday afternoon. Since the Ontario Securities Commission first issued a temporary order against Portus in February, preventing it from opening new accounts or accepting new funds […]
(March 3, 2005) Franklin Templeton Investments, the fifth Canadian mutual fund company to settle with the Ontario Securities Commission over market timing allegations, has agreed to the third highest settlement since the regulator began its year-long probe of mutual fund trading practices. The agreement, approved on Thursday at an OSC hearing, will result in Templeton […]
(March 1, 2005) If the growing number of Canadians opposed to mandatory retirement is any indication, traditional goals and dreams are shifting and retirement expectations are perhaps becoming more realistic. On the other hand, many people don’t have a solid understanding of pensions, and the personal planning needed to cover their income needs in retirement. […]
(February 28, 2005) The newest association on the street doesn’t cater directly to financial advisors, but it could have an impact on market practices, that is if it gets past being just another association. The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) of Canada is primarily aimed at treasury and finance types, the cash handlers in the […]
(February 25, 2005) The RRSP deadline is just a few business days away and it’s time to face up to those last-minute contributors. Investment habits might be changing, but every client base has its procrastinators. Branch managers are booked solid — Lisa Ball, regional manager of BMO Mutual Funds in Halifax is expecting big sales […]