Rocketing into the future
A newly nervy TTC is building support for a vastly expanded network, without the funding
A newly nervy TTC is building support for a vastly expanded network, without the funding
Fredericton
Excessive optimism in the oilsands led to missteps by almost everyone
The Harper government can barely attract enough staff, let alone votes
These well-managed and well-capitalized banks have strong brands and focus on traditional banking activities
Ecuador’s recent bond default raises the question of why anyone but a financial masochist would throw money at serial defaulters
The limited-risk concept is an advantage of trading options, but it only works if you’re willing to exit prior to expiration
Even with conservative methods of estimating corporate earning power, the numbers just don’t add up
Countries that are less developed than emerging markets present opportunities because of their rapidly expanding consumer markets
High-yield, fixed-income funds are not all created equal
The markets’ precipitous decline has given fund managers with significant cash holdings a bevy of investing opportunities
Fidelity aims at high net-worth investors
Markets were treacherous places in 2008. Expect more of the same this year, say fund managers
Many are reluctant to admit that earlier decisions were wrong
A few basic checks can go a long way toward uncovering potential problems
A proposal to charge fees based on historical data means firms’ payments will be based on previous highs
But SCC ruling suggests such schemes be kept simple
Conditions are better in Canada, but domestic financial institutions still face possible asset losses
Expert Panel’s “opt in” recommendation is an intriguing twist
Hammered by dreadful markets, pension plans are suffering from large funding shortfalls
Outlook 2009
But critics say that retail investors with more than $1 million in assets are not getting a fair shake
James Moon wants to show other advisors how to avoid making the mistakes that have cost him dearly
The insurer is aiming to put its troubles in the past, says new CEO
That or a new provincial counterpart plan may be a way to enhance and extend pension coverage
The appointment of a new leadership team reflects the firm’s desire to leave its compliance problems in the past
Cleantech Investing
Shareholders overwhelmingly approve sale of firm to Werba Reinhard
Regulatory changes coming into effect next year will affect some individuals and businesses with cross-border policies
Despite the decline in oil prices, new wind-power technologies retain their promise
The recent acquisition of AIG’s Canadian division gives BMO a complete infrastructure to sell any product line
Good stocks available at bargain-basement prices
The purpose of these regulatory changes is to reduce risk, but they will also curtail firms’ earning potential
Financials are stable but economic uncertainty still hangs over their profit outlook
While opportunities for growth are likely, many money managers advise caution
Once the economic recovery gets underway, the world’s major currencies will be affected in different ways
There are various bargains to be had in the corporate bond universe — and they are not hard to spot
The credit crisis plaguing much of the developed world is also leaving its mark on emerging markets
Although there are many pitfalls on the horizon, money managers are overweighting industrials and consumer discretionary, staples
The least risky strategy right now is defensive stocks, but pay attention to the early signs of a recovery expected later in the year
Although two small-cap money managers don’t see an economic turnaround until 2010, they say many Canadian small-cap stocks are valued cheaply and they’ve already begun…
Recovery should set in by second half of 2009, but money managers are guarded on India, Taiwan and Thailand
Unusual conditions could lead to big gains if the bond buy-in is well timed
Oil prices expected to stabilize by mid-year; infrastructure spending could spur demand for some commodities
Money managers are betting on companies that will benefit from infrastructure spending; avoiding export-sensitive industries
Corporate earnings will probably fall in the short term, but Japan’s fortunes may be changing
