Home Newspaper Mid-January 2008

Mid-January 2008

Investment research

The continued industrialization of emerging markets and demand for resources equipment will be growth drivers

The choice of whether to use active managers or passive indexed models in a portfolio depends on the client’s profile

Careful review of variables and options will lead to better returns for clients

With AUM approaching $10 billion, this home-grown asset manager is targeting private-client markets

Looking at these sectors over decades, not years, can yield surprising results

Asia’s appetite for steel’s main ingredient is turning investors’ attention to junior miners

Building Your Business

Factors such as consumer spending, value of US$ will continue to determine economy’s direction

Following years of struggle, profits and dividend payouts are rising

India, South Korea, Singapore and others have seen a surge in economic activity

Strange times in the markets are creating opportunities for astute buyers

Clouds on the horizon include a slowdown in the U.S. economy and the global credit crunch

Companies are realizing the benefits of restructuring, such as outsourcing to emerging economies

China is adjusting to U.S. slowdown by increasing its exports to Europe and other Asian countries

Although the global credit crisis hammered bonds last year, things could turn around in 2008

But the future is brightened by strong demand fuelled by industrialization in emerging markets

No consensus on loonie, but most analysts see greenback falling against Asian currencies

With the U.S. on the edge of recession, not all economists are pessimistic

With more companies doing business globally, head office location plays smaller role

With the exception of some companies caught up in the commodities boom, small-cap stock prices have dropped from a year ago, when they were looking…

With a U.S. recession a major risk, finding Canadian stocks that will retain value

Life insurers may be better positioned than the banks, with little or no exposure to credit problems. Plus they are well managed

Comment & Insight

Expecting a record surplus, the province is quickly shedding its “have-not” status

The coming royalty rate increase in Alberta is proving to be a godsend for Manitoba’s oil sector

One of the key questions in the case of Berkshire Investment Group Inc.’s supervision of rogue broker Ian Thow is: how did Berkshire reconcile Thow’s…

Investors need more genuine transparency, not just more disclosure.Recently, the importance of corporate candour has become particularly critical. With the effects of the subprime crisis…

The federal government, opposition parties and the press gallery need to step up this year

Focus on Products

Management team at McLean Budden isn’t splashy, but it gets top-drawer results

This year should also see regulatory changes, and growth in funds of funds

Managers of labour-sponsored investment funds pleased with extension, but unhappy with shortage of VC funding

As the ABCP disaster shows, advisors have a crucial role to play

While Synergy Focus Canadian Fund has posted great numbers, Trimark Canadian Fund’s longer-term record can’t be ignored

Research shows that fund managers from top universities produce higher returns

Criterion launches U.S. Buyback FundToronto-based Criterion Investments Ltd. has launched Criterion U.S. Buyback Currency Hedge Fund. The fund will invest in equity securities of 30…

But be aware that returns are either capped at a maximum level or subject to a pre-set participation rate

The credit market crunch is one thing that has persuaded some managers to be defensive, but others are bullish on equities

News

Environmental survey shows Canadian banks are well behind global leaders

The Canadian coali-tion on Good Governance announced earlier this month that it will not support regulatory changes or universal backing for resolutions making advisory shareholder…

Rather than declining business, analysts predict fundamental product shifts

A new Competition Bureau report says SROs need to review their regulations

Group that trains and grants diplomas to financial planners in Quebec says planners’ regulator would better protect the public

Infrastructure projects and microfinance: two approaches to fixing the world may benefit investors

Can we learn from the credit crunch?

Provincial government moved quickly to make departing TrentonWorks fully fund plan for laid-off workers

Amendments to the province’s Securities Act bring it in line with Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and British Columbia

Burgeonvest Bick Corp. will offer clients specialized products and services from its IDA, MFDA and insurance platforms

GST rebates and Homebuyers’ Plan don’t reflect dramatic rise in housing prices, says mortgage brokers’ association

Even though bill has passed, Senate hearings to be held under little-noticed deal with feds

A new CSA report states regulators managed to win only 13 convictions from April through September 2007

Chubb’s $4-million payout still leaves other defendants facing angry shareholders

Bank-owned life in-surance companies are leading a charge to sell their products directly to consumers via phone, e-mail and “snail” mail.At first blush, it’s a…

Canadians plan to narrowly beat RRSP deadlines and aren’t worried about market volatility, say latest polls

Funds to be sold by advisors of affiliated company Independent Planning Group, who may also be IPG shareholders

The Montreal-based dealer and its president and CEO, Robert Frances, are coming off a strong year

Action alleges that assets were improperly diverted and that new investor money was used entirely to fund redemptions

The Montreal-based firm was allegedly involved in selling illegal investments to its clients

New version proposes to narrow rule’s scope to trades that portfolio managers make on behalf of discretionary accounts

Once purely regional, credit unions are looking to take on the big banks

The demutualization — sponsored by Foresters — would be the first of its kind in Canada

Lower fees and greater access to sister funds should benefit investors

Canada’s largest bank is moving aggressively into the growing market for life and wealth products

B.C. decision will make it harder for shareholders to dispute company valuations during takeovers

After bids submitted by Scotiabank and CI, stock price has increased

More banks are saving expansion costs by hooking up with payment processors

Vancouver-based credit union selects Worldsource as its mutual fund dealer and MGA

TSX head Richard Nesbitt moves to CIBC World Markets; McCaughey remains as bank CEO