May 2012

Investment research

The technology giant's stock price has dropped recently so, is now the time to invest?

Clients should view bonds as portfolio stabilizers, not as a way to make big gains

Although a renewed bull market in energy stocks seemed to begin a year ago, the trend in share prices today is downward

South Korean firms are flexible, focused on increasing efficiency and prepared to move production to lower-wage countries

Focus on Products

Address this issue, before the client does. Consider these suggestions from Dan Hallett to reduce client portfolio costs - without taking a big pay cut.

Emotions - not logic - drive decisions

New ETFs offer smaller investors more opportunities to use managed futures for greater balance and diversification

The region is healthy and its stocks are underappreciated, says one fund's portfolio manager

Comment & Insight

Air travel isn't what it used to be. Give me platinum privilege super-elite service - or give me the train

Advisors and their firms should avoid the growing trend of blaming clients if it is their own processes that are at fault

The union is locked in combat with B.C.'s Liberal government, which has already mandated "net zero" raises in the public sector

Montreal is getting its own "urban beach" - complete with an entry fee. No swimming allowed

The federal budget is now a northern version of the state of the union address - long on spin, short on details. No more need…

Building Your Business

Many advisors' efforts to differentiate themselves end up conveying sameness. To be successful, you must convey the benefits of working with you to your clients

Following a nasty divorce, a 65-year-old book editor hopes to reduce his work hours while helping to support his teenage son and, eventually, fund his…

Scott McKain's book identifies the ways that sameness can undercut your business and outlines methods for achieving the business distinctiveness that can lead to great…

When National Bank Financial completed its acquisition of Wellington West Capital last year, advisor Ian Houston's clients wanted to know how they would be affected.…

Extra-virgin olive oil has become a pantry staple for health-conscious Canadians. Sales of the product, lovingly called EVOO by cooks, have risen consistently in recent…

Independent research indicates Canadians are getting gouged by the big wireless companies. And when it comes to roaming, we're paying almost three times the OECD…

As the low interest-rate environment puts the squeeze on insurers, policy options such as return of premium and guarantees have been reduced or eliminated. That…

Many boomers are worried that large portions of their estates could end up in the hands of a child's ex-spouse

Knowing most of your neighbours, and running into them frequently, can create special opportunities for advisors who live and work in small communities. Find out…

News

A new initiative between KYFA and Golden Girl Finance will help female investors find advisors who share their values

People briefs

Geoff Creighton, chairman of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, strives to connect the legal and business sides of financial services

News brief

News brief

News brief

Retail clients in Barrie, Ont., who lost big on leveraged investments, are suing their former advisors in a class action

IIROC has issued almost as much in disciplinary sanctions during the first quarter of 2012 as it did during calendar 2011 as a whole

Canada's provinces must limit their spending to balance their budgets. But the task will be more challenging for some

The OSC's plan to open its new Office of the Investor on April 1 has not materialized, but it remains a top priority

Front Page

Two fund manager registration models have been proposed by regulators

New energy at Matrix Asset Management

FSCO to examine how life agents make client recommendations

Brokerage Report Card

How advisors rated their firms

Advisors are seeing their books of business and pay climb back up - although not yet to pre-recessionary highs. However, the ratings they bestowed upon…

Books of business and pay levels are up, and it appears to be the top-producing advisors who are driving the industry's growth this year. Those…

Advisors surveyed this year say branch managers can be "good," "bad" or "ugly"

Although many survey respondents are not ready to retire, they know it is a reality they must face

Following the release of IIROC's final guidelines on the use of social media late last year, firms of all stripes are in various stages of…

Nine of the 11 firms that provide support for mobile technology saw their ratings fall this year, while the remaining two brokerages saw their ratings…

When it comes to the ever-important areas related to wealth-management support services, advisors say the help of experienced and knowledgeable staff is very much needed…

The good news: Advisors earned more this past year. The bad news: They are shouldering ever-increasing operational costs while reward and bonus targets are set…

Advisors expect commitment from their firms in maintaining a level of two-way communication

Advisors at two bank-owned investment dealers and two national independents say their firms have some work to do