Home Newspaper February 2010

February 2010

Investment research

The uptick in earnings, dividends and yield is the first break in the collapse that began in the autumn of 2008

Analysts are bullish on the performance of companies that transport bulk commodities — especially railways — for 2010

The impact of a stock split/consolidation on options, and the cash settlement of index options, leave clients puzzled

Convertible bonds offer security with participation in equities growth

Comment & Insight

It has taken years and a major banking crisis, but consumer protection is improving

Editor's letter

The Tories have been quietly proroguing parts of Parliament since taking office in 2006

Lacklustre commodity prices and public-sector labour disputes make for West Coast clouds

The recently troubled Saskatchewan Wheat Pool is now taking on the world as Viterra

Satisfying a childhood itch can be a good way to make it go away

Focus on Products

“You have to be careful which corporate bonds you pick,” says Franklin Templeton president and CEO Don Reed

BMO gives birth to more ETFs

Managers of high-yield bond funds say the markets are moving back to “more normal” conditions

Study shows that REITs have low correlations with equity indices

In the recession’s aftermath, many investors are fearful and demoralized

Special Feature

The province’s economy has been largely sheltered from the U.S. downturn, economist says (IE:TV)

Although the province’s economy did not fall by as much as the rest of Canada’s, it seems to be slower in recovering (IE:TV)

But the province’s Ministry of Finance has launched a series of consultation sessions to discuss Nova Scotia’s fiscal challenges (IE:TV)

Although 2010 will be better than 2009, job creation will continue to be an anvil around the province’s neck

Although Quebec felt the effects of the economic crunch much later than most, there are expectations of moderate growth in 2010 (IE:TV)

Newfoundland and Labrador was affected greatly by the recession, but it’s already on the road back (IE:TV)

Fuelling the economy will be a revival of the mining sector, which is by far the most important economic engine

Hosting the Winter Olympics will help bring about growth after a dreadful year

The Prairie province’s economy and budget were most affected by potash’s colossal decline in 2009

Following a brutal 2009, Ontario is expecting increased opportunities in services-related businesses (IE:TV)

Although the province has suffered through the worst, growth will be sluggish

Report on the Nation 2010

Building Your Business

For best results, develop a specific online networking policy

Advisors’ recommendations include downsizing or selling the house, reducing debt and increasing RRSP contributions

Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are among products that offer various features for security and convenience

Fresh flowers, light jazz and a roaring fire — your office can be a warm environment, says financial advisor Chet Brothers

Some investors are reeling from last year’s downturn; you can strengthen relationships by learning about their fears and their goals

Serving the needs of the affluent means taking control of the complications of wealth and providing peace of mind

You’re better off with water, juice, milk or even a cup of “joe,” say dieticians

> FirefoxThe latest version of this open-source browser features customizable themes and a “Web ID” feature designed to give you easily understandable information about any…

Once your clients have cleared the emotional baggage brought on by disappointing investment returns, they are ready for a few lessons in market behaviour, says…

Selling the house and putting investment income toward rent could be an alternative, but all angles must be considered

Like radio and TV in the past century, online video is proving a powerful medium

There are quite a few ways to help clients understand that shifting to fee-based payments is in their best interest

News

Rajiv Silgardo is using the branch system to market fast-growing ETFs

Purchase of Halifax firm allows small Markham, Ont., dealer to keep growing

The establishment of Fidelity Clearing Canada means there are now four major players — and another has plans to join the game

While other countries save, Canada continues to spend. If the recovery stalls, the price could be high

Is a national securities regulator the best hope?

Four things to include in a good succession plan

Many advisors neglecting to create a succession plan for their own businesses

However, investors are not taking on much risk, as fixed-income funds and balanced funds represent the biggest purchases

Move will shave weeks off application process

Provinces and territories to decide independently whether to make legislative changes or to recommend best practices