Home Newspaper December 2007

December 2007

Building Your Business

Joel decided that he could achieve a 60% increase in sales over the next 12 months. He had, after all, made an impressive 66% improvement…

A range of products offer principal protection, but at a cost

Families that nurture their human assets survive and prosper into the future

Older workers need to adapt to the changing face of the workplace, which now consists of a range of attitudes

Financial advisors are often on the front lines when a client becomes incapable of acting in their own interests

Two years ago, Sylvain Brise-Bois’ financial planning practice was out of control. “We were having meetings all the time, we had piles of things to…

“We all fool ourselves into thinking we’re more efficient than we really are,” says Julie Littlechild, president of Advisor Impact Inc. Her firm has developed…

With five dependent children, this couple can’t take undue risk and should insure against illness or death

At home, at the office and in sports, Calgary’s Patti Shannon knows the value of teamwork

Becoming a vegetarian takes some effort, but it can pay off in better long-term health

Gifts should be personal but not necessarily expensive

Patti Shannon, a portfolio manager at McLean & Partners Wealth Management Ltd. in Calgary, believes putting clients at ease is the key to a successful…

Capital losses and business expenses should be incurred by Dec. 31

Web collaboration tools allow you to work with advisors at other branches or with your network of business professionals

Three-meeting process puts prospective clients at ease

It’s not enough that you’re delivering value; clients have to see it

Setting a goal is more than wishing and believing; it means controlling how the growth will take place

Comment & Insight

There’s no greater vanishing act in Canadian history than the Maple Leafs at Stanley Cup time

Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre’s expansion is reminiscent of the fast ferries fiasco

The British approach to financial reforms should be considered for use in Canada

The right of clients to receive continued service at a high level should be the paramount concern

A deal between the provincial and federal governments has not put Nova Scotians at ease

There are two undeniable Christmas traditions in our household. Sometime during the run-up to Christmas, we have to watch The Muppet’s Christmas Carol — and…

Disclosure is essential to the functioning of a free market and it’s the cornerstone of our securities regulatory system. But although everyone claims to believe…

In his victory speech on election night, Nov. 7, Saskatchewan’s premier-designate, Brad Wall, borrowed a line from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the popular British television…

Investment research

Hedge funds need to be understood for what they are — alternative investments that diversify a portfolio

With the prospect of a slowdown looming, lessons from the past may be useful

Despite its recent success, the Toronto-based property and casualty insurer still faces some challenges

China selling U.S. treasury reserves; Canada’s trading with the U.S. affected

Despite recent losses, the long-term future for the long bonds looks bright

www.StockresearchDD.com includes a research/due diligence Q&A on each of the 340 companies profiled

The major firms that confine their businesses solely to an industrial nature are purer plays on the industrial sector

The landlocked African country presents many opportunities — without the risk of political corruption or sudden tax hikes

Focus on Products

AGF, CIBC launch PPN seriesAGF Funds Inc. and CIBC, both based in Toronto, have launched Series 2 and Series 3 of CIBC AGF Dividend Income…

But its concentrated investment focus carries risks; in November, it was forced to cut distributions on its British Banks Fund

Compared with Trimark Select Growth, CI Global is the better risk-adjusted player

New feature from Manulife may be appropriate for clients, but check coverage limits and premium costs

The sector’s growth has been fuelled by emerging economies that have become major consumers of commodities

Commodities prices have been on a roll, and some experts say strong demand will keep the heat on

Now firms do not have to release funds’ statements of portfolio transactions

Returns to date are impressive, but this fund is only for stout-hearted investors

Game-show contestants display the same, unfathomable behaviour as investment decision-makers

Fund associations around the world want to help investors save for retirement

Special Feature

Collectively, they have raised slightly less than 30% of new private equity raised in Canada in the past two years

Although the private-equity market has screeched to a halt, it should be able to sustain long-term growth

A report from the Fraser Institute contends that tax savings are driving investments, not returns

Investeco Capital Corp. has invested millions in companies that fall within four specific sectors

Shareholders becoming more organized and aggressive in efforts to influence or oust corporate boards

Canadian private equity players say changing the rules would reflect a misunderstanding of the business

The reviews and comments on www.TheFunded.com aim to make the venture-capital process more symmetrical

News

Some say they have no force, while others question whether they will fit their operations

Deal with Western Union could be just the first step

Managers with superior long-term track records

Damming report suggests class action defence fees should not be paid

Acquisition reflects trend of consolidation among smaller, privately held MGAs

Ontario court rules that the huge costs of reviewing bank records don’t bar a claim

Consumer group unfairly tarred advisors, Quebec’s financial watchdog says

The influx of global financial services companies into the province has led to a hiring frenzy

The Toronto-based firm is looking to open new offices and double its roster of advisors

Street Capital Financial Corp. sees opportunity in alternative mortgages, which account for only 3% of Canada’s total market

Banking through the advisor channel

It has been a watershed year for the Big Four Canadian life insurers. Manulife Financial Corp., Sun Life Financial Inc., Great-West Life Assurance Co. and…

What could be objectionable about requiring that investors receive basic information about what they are buying? Plenty

New rules will make it easier for investors to compare the results of foreign companies

Canada has opened the door for U.S. bond insurers, but they may be sinking themselves

Although the Dec. 17 meeting will be important in getting the merger underway, regulatory approval will remain a hurdle

There may be more bad news; the full impact of credit market mess has yet to be felt

The SRO’s poor collection record stems from its lack of statutory power in all provinces except Alberta

Brenda Vince has presided over phenomenal growth at RBC’s fund group

Statistics Canada finds that, by far, the largest gains are being made by those at the top of the pyramid

Local executives say it will now be more difficult for Manitoba juniors to get off the ground

Sprott Canadian Equity has outperformed by making big bets