Home Newspaper Mid-October 2007

Mid-October 2007

Comment & Insight

New offshore oil and natural gas fields urgently needed

Albertans better be careful what they wish for; you can’t bottle a boom and save it for later

Despite its best efforts, incompetent government policy has failed to undermine Canadian economic achievement. Now is the time to correct those mistakes, not compound them.With…

Despite a high C$ and the slumping U.S. housing sector, B.C.’s economy will remain strong

Our “New Government” is showing no signs of initiating the economic debate Canada needs

Investment research

The trade in question was probably a bet that the Fed would cut rates, not a bet by terrorists to profit from an attack

Bank bonds and bankers’ acceptances are being priced like fur coats in June — and the bargains look like they’re here to stay

And rising sales of generic-branded products is increasing margins for CVS Caremark, Shoppers Drug Mart and Walgreen

But any company being considered for a buy-and-hold strategy, even if considered a growth stock, will have down years

The trade in question was probably a bet that the Fed would cut rates, not a bet by terrorists to profit from an attack

Ten years later, certain countries’ economies are now more sophisticated, flexible, innovative and open

The summer swoon has affected housing prices and inventories; the fear is that it will spill over into consumer spending

Focus on Products

RBC rolls out new PPNsToronto-based RBC Capital Markets Inc. has launched two new series of principal protected notes. RBC Principal Protected Commodity-Linked Notes Series 12…

The price of gold has hit its highest level in two decades; some see it reaching US$1,000 within three years

New type of insurance is designed to provide access to treatment when a provincial health-care system doesn’t

Study finds big earners spend more time on goals and less on leisure pursuits

TD Monthly Income and CI Signature High Income are excellent offerings for investors, with TD coming out slightly ahead

Harvard-educated economist says the limited asset size of his two Redwood funds lets him move in and out of the market quickly

Given the recent strength of Canadian equity markets, your clients’ portfolios may have become a little unbalanced

Financial advisors provide clients with guidance on all their life issues

Investors Global Fund’s Dublin-based manager regards equity growth as an important criterion in stock selection

New fund invests in TSXV companies with prospects of graduating to TSX

Building Your Business

Tax-sheltered gifting arrangements subjected to audits

Province creates team to combat “Ontario shuffle” and “Quebec truffle”

Five provinces could see higher productivity and economic growth if they adopted a VAT, but could also face voter backlash

Despite the federal government’s efforts, the green levy has not curtailed the sale of gas-guzzling SUVs so far this year

Joint parent/child accounts are a popular tool to help manage an aging parent’s affairs and to finesse fee and regulatory issues. However, two recent Supreme…

This year’s federal budget tacked another couple of years onto the maturity date of RRSPs. For 2007 and subsequent calendar years, the conversion age for…

The Conservative government still has lots of promises to fulfil when it comes to tax reform

Advisors are obliged to give clients parallel advice — how current legislation applies to them and how amendments could apply

Tax rate cuts, tax credit hikes and increased tax brackets should be welcome

Senior couples with pension income may now be able to save taxes by splitting their pension income between the two partners. But the strategy only…

If your client wishes to donate to charity, under the new tax guidelines he or she may be further ahead giving securities rather than cash.In…

Among the items the CRA wants to scrutinize carefully are RRSP contributions and charitable donations

Legislation will make it easier for mutual fund companies to forward distribution statements to investors on time

Tax laws are highly confusing because there are rules, exceptions to the rules, exceptions to the exceptions, followed by overriding rules

Watchdog’s ability to uphold taxpayer rights depends on who gets appointed

But you may have to do a bit of digging to find the changes that apply to specific clients

Consider selling investments with accrued capital losses; look into pension income-splitting

Budget proposals may persuade older Canadians to stay in the workforce

News

The issue is the impact of the credit difficulties on the rest of the market

Many big Canadian investors shelved their strategic plans over the past year because of markets’ surprising strength and activity

Orion Financial Inc. and Westwind Partners Inc. acquired just days apart by expanding foreign firms

TD Bank Financial Group has doubled the size of its U.S. banking platform in one fell swoop by acquiring Commerce Bancorp Inc. of Cherry Hill,…

Brampton, Ont.-based recycler of waste electronics and electrical equipment to benefit from huge consumption of electronic devices

The logic of consolidating MGAs is that greater numbers of advisors working under larger MGAs mean greater economies of scale

Dysfunctional regulation is a problem in many world markets. Here are some ways to fix it

BCSC says it’s vital information

Insurers say it’s just a matter of time

The non-prime mortgage lender is extending into other areas of business to become a broader-based financial institution

Manitoba program aimed at incorporating the teaching of financial skills into the high-school curriculum

Supreme Court’s refusal to hear case means earlier ruling against advisors’ lawsuit still stands

The retailer says the new product will save customers money by combining many accounts into one

The life insurance industry is only beginning to discover the power of the Internet as a selling tool

Investing in infrastructure has many pluses, but there are risks to consider