Home Newspaper September 2006

September 2006

Special Feature

Although these dealers have varying business strategies, they also share some striking similarities to their national counterparts

Community events and sponsorships win out over flashy ads for small regional dealers

Opportunity to own equity also plays a part in advisors’ satisfaction with their compensation

Smaller firms are finding different ways to cope with the rising compliance costs and burdens

New IE survey shows sharp differences between regional and national firms

But process could be hampered by recruitment strategy focused on attracting older, more experienced advisors

Although there are some terrific upsides to working at a regional dealer, there are also some downsides

IE focuses on the regional dealers for the first time

Investment research

The MX implied volatility index will become a very useful indicator of investor sentiment over the long term

Investors are staying away from the bond market, which has traditionally been considered a safe haven in tumultuous times

But weighting stocks on the basis of their total dividend payments is the most basic approach

Sales are surging in emerging markets and continue to remain strong in the developed world

The rate of return you use in financial projections for clients is critical. So, do you use historical figures? Or an estimate based on future…

Education expenses for their four children could put a damper on this couple’s near-term finances

But experts question whether it will be sustainable over the long term

Comment & Insight

When my daughters were small and in their formative years, one of them — Kate, I think it was — coined the phrase “boss of…

Consistent breakdowns have led this writer on eventful car-buying forays

The regulators’ recent report demonstrates a lack of progress in alleviating investor concerns

Revelations of politicians’ misdoings have voters fuming

Adopting a similar strategy may also be in the cards for Harper’s Tory government

For $6,500, Market Matters will interview any crooked director or officer

The new prime minister doesn’t appear to care whether he makes enemies in his own ranks

Canadian mutual fund firms will surely loudly protest the claim that their fees are much higher than those in other countries. However, this is a…

Focus on Products

The new mutual fund governance rule known as National Instrument 81-107 was unveiled by the Canadian Securities Admin-istrators with much fanfare at the end of…

AIC changes strategy on hedging fundAIC Ltd. has adjusted its strategy for hedging AIC Global Financial Split Corp.’s non-Canadian-dollar currency value. Given the significant increase…

The principle of pro- viding a consistent standard of oversight to the mutual fund industry by establishing independent review committees should enhance investor protection and…

Mackenzie financial Corp. is acquiring Vancouver-based Cundill Investment Research Ltd. for an undisclosed price, in a deal that’s being called a “natural evolution” of the…

John Hadwen of Dynamic Focus + Wealth Management Fund likes firms that produce stable profits and grow their assets at attractive rates over the long…

The sector has been largely ignored for years, but managers say there are solid investments to be found

Investor interest takes off with the demise of the 30% foreign-content restriction on registered plans

By most measures, PH&N Growth & Income comes out ahead of E&P Growth & Income

These funds operate differently than their open-ended cousins, and advisors should ensure clients understand how they work

Building Your Business

Use space, colour and work tools to show how organized you are

Firms must beef up Web sites to garner closer ties with advisors, who now are Internet-savvy and expect quality

There are key areas to watch, whether reports are done by an in-house committee or contracted out to a service

The Canada Revenue Agency says there are several warning signs indicating potential problems with a tax shelter:> the tax shelter is promoting an opportunity to…

CRA waves red flag on tax shelters that involve investment clubs or associations that offer high-yield offshore investments

A decline in hearing ability can lead to withdrawal, depression, stress — not to mention poor job performance

When two generations live together, expectations, finances and care duties should be spelled out

Keats Connelly’s business is advising cross-border clients. It has assembled a daunting knowledge set of legal and tax issues

Advisors also can benefit by implementing a segmentation strategy based on Manulife’s WealthStyles

It’s the questions you ask, rather than the products you sell, that will make the difference

When a substantial estate is involved, family members may contest a will that names the same-sex spouse as beneficiary

You may want to improve your practice and the service you provide by adding a specialized qualification. Here’s how to choose the one that suits…

A former pharmaceutical rep, this novice planner was accustomed to more enthusiasm about his message

E-mail has changed the way we communicate — yet it is underutilized

News

Founders have handed reins to new generation of managers, but approach to investing is unchanged

A new global report says so, but some in Canada’s fund industry are quick to question how the authors arrived at the figures

Met Life subsidiaries and pension plan business will add US$7.5 billion in assets

Winnipeg firm sees further expansion, with particular focus on Ontario, British Columbia and the Maritimes

New acquisitions, new hires, new funds and a new emphasis on private and institutional money management

Canadian credit un-ions welcome a proposal to reduce to two from 10 the number of credit unions required to form a co-operative credit association. Co-operative…

Reuters-owned Lipper Inc. expects to compete eventually with Morningstar

Expanded financial advisor services, short-term small loans at the heart of the strategy

New CEO examines the selection of a potential minority partner as he plans to move ahead of the pack

Admin staff cut and new executives hired following disappointing second-quarter results

Volatility and declining prices slow down resources sector financings

Class-action lawsuit alleges financial firms carried out conversions, for which they levied fees, without accountholders’ consent

Events compete for promotional dollars; next AGM to take place at Advocis’s Banff school

Issuers have been churning out both products, and investors have been rushing to buy them, but are there enough safeguards?

Hearings on the proposed legislation haven’t been held, and the insurance and fund industries want “flaws” corrected

But the practice is not yet prevalent nor can it be done without pension authority approval

New regulations slated to be in place Nov. 1 call for creation of independent review committees

Companies can protect their sensitive client data using some common-sense procedures, experts advise.> Back up your data. “Backups are the No. 1 solution to preventing…

The chartered accoun-tants Institute of British Columbia is concerned that its members may not be conducting adequate due diligence into corporate clients that trade on…

IDA and MFDA want to ensure that clients have access to their assets in any emergency, from heat waves to power outages

Natural Gas Exchange is also eyeing expansion into Ontario, U.S.

Conventional wisdom has it that investing in a home is a good and responsible way to save for retirement. But new evidence suggests property may…

But how will markets deal with the halt in the coming months?

Investment-management firms eager to win the business of time-strapped advisors would do well to pay attention to what advisors want: turnkey investment solutions, consistent management…