Home Newspaper December 2006

December 2006

Comment & Insight

Our street has been a construction zone for what seems like years. Well, for several months, at least. First, they put in new water mains,…

Putting up a family Christmas tree has been no easy task for this writer

The CSA should waste no time implementing a robust mobility registration exemption

New tax will hurt energy trusts

But Toronto businesses also want Mayor Miller to reduce their taxes

Re: “High costs of GIF contract,” Letter to the Editor by Doug Corner (IE, Mid-November 2006).Doug Corner has confused several Manulife Financial Corp. products and…

Only $95 million remains before the Canadian Museum for Human Rights becomes a reality

“Speed kills” may have made an effective traffic safety slogan back in the ’70s, but the opposite is true in the financial markets where, it’s…

The Tories have done their best to appeal to their core base — to the exclusion of everyone else

Investment research

Canadian municipal bonds offer investors yield boosts and good security

Dividends’ long-term effect on stock prices, and the new tax on income trusts, makes dividend-paying stocks attractive

This income strategy works well because interest rates are not the only determining factor in its success

Various asset-allocation options need to be examined in order to leave self-sufficient children with a $5-million estate

Sale of Inco and Falconbridge to foreign firms opens market to mid-tier companies aiming to become major global players

But these newer entrants into the European Union still face significant challenges in converging with developed Europe

Focus on Products

Agreement on a single Canadian securities regulator should be the first

Portfolio management changes at CIToronto-based CI Investments Inc. has appointed new portfolio managers to several of its funds, replacing Toronto-based Sionna Investment Managers Inc. Effective…

Many managers say the good deals are getting harder to find but the market still holds opportunities

Recent non-principal-protected notes issues are also currency-hedged

Advisors need to continue to earn their clients’ high opinion of their services

TD Entertainment and Communications Fund focuses on media, wireless and diversified telecom

Studies show most day traders have too much faith in their own abilities

Comparison of Acuity Canadian Balanced Fund and Dynamic Focus + Balanced Fund shows initial looks can be deceiving

Building Your Business

Advisors can hire service firms for everything from crunching the numbers for a financial plan to collecting phone messages

Monica Townson’s new book looks at how the new retirement might play out for your clients

Galleries of templates mean your computer can quickly produce high-quality letters, business cards or presentations

Former pharmacist finds similarities in advising on physical, financial health

Problems occur when people who are suffering from stress caused by unresolved issues show up for work

What provides more motivation for a group of financial services professionals looking to lose weight: the possibility of losing money — or losing face?According to…

Do whatever it takes to help clients feel in control of their financial futureIn the last of a two-part series, Dan Richards looks at three…

The right software can keep all team members up to date on all clients’ files

Pay only for the level of stock-market data that meets your needs with AlphaTrade.com

Clients can try to duck around provision in the Budget Implementation Act, but strategies could involve some risk

Advisor’s son did a good job for four weeks, but that doesn’t mean he is ready to step into his father’s shoes

The Brain Gym program has been adopted in more than 90 countries and has been translated into more than 50 languages

Four top liability lawyers give their perceptions of the financial services industry’s new regulatory environment

Build choices into pension plan, offer part-time work with flexible hours, treat mature workers with respect

There’s nothing like ending the year on a high note. Advisors can raise a glass of cheer this year because clients are altogether happy with…

Special Feature

Advisors want standard definitions of covered illnesses, while insurers say definitions are clear enough

Insurance advisor Mark Halpern’s focus on CI and his high-profile media campaign have taken his practice to new heights

Advisors still struggle with how to sell it — and to whom

Cost is often the main consideration, but costs can be pared by choosing the right options

Only 15%-20% of advisors are actually selling CI —which is frustrating insurers and reinsurers

Structural changes to the level of guarantees and the limits of payouts would make CI insurance more affordable

News

Toronto-based independent financial services company Rockwater Capital Corp. has sold Rockwater Asset Management Inc. and certain RAMI private-client assets under management to Barometer Capital Management…

Regulator says it’s intent on getting many more of the province’s investors and entrepreneurs actively involved in the markets

Surveys show most investors are quite aware of what they should be doing with their money, but actually doing it is another matter

Exchange chief Luc Bertrand says a market must be created so companies can make long-term capital spending decisions

The firm hopes its money-management business for high net-worth investors and some institutions will boost its stock

Company spins off last parts of advisory business for professional athletes and actors

The Canada Revenue Agency has added pages to its Web site to help advisors and clients fully understand each registered charity

George Frazer receives Career Achievement Award for his proven theories and solid fund management

No changes planned at firm known for its quantitative investment approach

With net redemptions in check, the company is increasing business by wooing advisors and launching new products

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has plenty of critics who say it’s shifting business overseas, but their salvos may be misdirected

Some firms say the Canadian Securities Administrators's proposal could drive some asset-management firms out of Canada

Tax experts decry the newest version of offshore trust rules as hopelessly complex and difficult to administer

U.S. research paper shows optimal rebalancing period is almost four years

Recommendations expected to ensure province’s pension system is up to date and sustainable

Amendments to Securities Act will also increase fines, implement passport system of regulation

These structures, which were scheduled to end this month, will remain until the end of 2008, but brokers still can’t use them

Are they securities?

But there’s nothing serious enough to scuttle the deal

Many factors, including tax breaks, make Canada’s East Coast attractive to firms looking to open shop

The in-branch experience is the key to overall customer satisfaction, despite the fact that most transactions are done online

Advisors will shortly hear details of how fully their services will be integrated with Assante; some fear loss of independence

Mutual funds that can deliver consistently stellar returns for a decade are rare creatures indeed, and ones that sustain their dominance for a generation are…

The new BPM enables advisors to keep abreast of industry codes, standards and ethics

IE fund manager of the year