Under the Liberal’s watch the Finance Department leaked like a sieve, divulging tax treats well ahead of budget day. There’s no guarantee Stephen Harper will take the same approach. But given the secrecy surrounding his cabinet appointment, it’s pretty likely Harper will attempt keep things under wraps prior to his first budget, which could be […]
Lowering fees, reducing size and becoming more relevant and responsive to consumers were the main themes of the Current Issues in SRO Compliance conference in Toronto on Thursday, but it was a harsh rebuke by a large lobby and consumer advocacy group that left delegates fidgeting in their seats. The meeting was meant to be […]
The court appointed receiver for Portus Alternative Asset Management has released its eighteenth report — yes, there have been that many — and most need a program to identify all the players and to navigate the web of court cases they’re involved in. But underneath it all, observers want to know one thing: who was […]
Given all the tax changes advisors expect under the Harper administration, it’s easy to forget about the tax changes that will affect this year’s filings. This week, tax expert Evelyn Jacks walked a packed room of advisors and tax planners through a line by line assessment of the tax changes for 2005. Few are as […]
(January 2006) The last time the S&P/TSX Composite broke through 11,000 investors foolishly believed the good times wouldn’t end. But end they did. Markets around the world fell hard, led by a raucous sell off in the U.S. tech sector. The markets have recovered, but the U.S. is shaky and could be a catalyst to […]
Two cycles and six years later, the IDA’s system for tracking continuing education (CE) credits is running smoothly and the proof is in the numbers. According to the regulator, more than 98% of registrants completed their credits by the December 31 deadline. Of the 16,000-plus advisors who were required to complete their CE credits during […]
Clients who invested in Portus Alternative Asset Management are going to be reimbursed about $12 million in referral fees by mutual fund and investment dealers who participated in the offering, excluding fees that have already been recovered. The agreement was announced on Friday by the Ontario Securities Commission, with the cooperation of the IDA and […]
Large cap companies are expected to squeeze out small caps in 2006, but look for a mid-cycle correction, says TD Bank in its annual investment outlook. According to the bank, corporate earnings and equity returns are both expected to be in the mid-single digits in North America in 2006. Under these conditions, the bank foresees […]
U.S. investment strategist Byron Wien says falling gold prices will be one of the big surprises of 2006. Not according to RBC Capital Markets chair Anthony Fell, who delivered an upbeat forecast for bullion at the Empire Club in Toronto on Thursday. Gold prices, currently fluctuating around $520 US, are set to go much higher, […]
With the S&P/TSX Composite Index coming off a 22% gain in 2005, the loonie soaring and the demand for our commodities near record highs, it’s easy to think Canada’s economy is firing on all cylinders. Bank economists speaking on Wednesday at the Economic Club of Toronto agreed Canada’s financial picture looks good overall, but warn […]