Cash reserves held by Canadians have risen significantly since the global financial crisis. Earlier this year, CIBC World Markets reported that Canadians currently hold $75 billion in cash. That’s almost 10 per cent of the total value of overall personal liquid assets in Canada. CIBC also [Read more]
The independent research and consultancy firm ETFGI confirms 2015 was another banner year for the global ETFs/ETPs industry, with US$372.0 billion in net new assets – a 10% increase over the 2014 record of US$338.3 billion. Global assets under management grew from US$2.784 trillion to US$2.992 [Read more]
According to Investor Economics, one million U.S. citizens living in Canada have $30 billion invested in mutual fund industry assets. Meanwhile, TD Economics reports that over 500,000 Canadians spend significant periods of time in the United States. While the former likely know their U.S. tax [Read more]
For many Canadians, tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) may be the most advantageous change made to the tax code since RRSPs were launched in 1957. Many professionals even contend that the popularity of TFSAs will ultimately surpass that of RRSPs. However, despite countless clarifications by [Read more]
According to a recent survey done by Franklin Templeton, Canadians are generally quite optimistic about their future, with 92% looking forward to retirement. On the whole, Canadians are planning on traveling, spending time with friends and family, and pursuing hobbies. Despite the optimism, 82% are [Read more]
It’s been a rocky year for investors but that doesn’t mean things need to get worse as we near tax loss selling season. Some prudent planning done now can reap dividends later. Generally speaking, most retail investors conduct tax loss selling during the latter part of November and the first [Read more]
A study by BMO Global Asset Management found that one quarter of already-retired Canadians are surprised to find their savings are not as sufficient as they thought. A key factor is that people are living longer. Statistics Canada says the average Canadian male will live 84 years and females 87 [Read more]
Every year many Canadian families are face with paying for a large portion of their child’s post-graduate education. A study conducted by BMO Global Asset Management found that 70% of parents are worried their children will not be able to afford university or college. As a result, they are [Read more]
Mutual funds have long been a favorite of Canadian investors. According to the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC), 4.6 million Canadian households own mutual funds representing $1.14 trillion in assets. Many opt for mutual funds for their simplified approach to investing. However, [Read more]
As one year passes and another unfolds, it’s time to make Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) contributions. They’ve been around since 2009 and yet Canadians still largely misunderstand them. The annual BMO TFSA Report says 66 per cent claim to be knowledgeable about TFSAs, but only 22 percent [Read more]
Independent research and consultancy firm ETFGI reports there are 5,410 exchange-traded products (ETPs) globally, with 10,477 listings from 222 providers listed on 60 exchanges. These ETPs represent US$2.62 trillion as at the end of July. The most popular ETP is the Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). [Read more]
Research and consultancy firm ETFGI reports that globally listed assets of ETFs and exchange-traded products reached a new record high of US$2.55 trillion at the end of May 2014. Canada represents US$63.2 billion of those assets. This remarkable growth has also brought changes. ETFs started out [Read more]
TD Economics reports that more than 500,000 Canadians spend significant periods of time in the United States. These individuals may be unaware that a Canadian can be deemed a U.S. person and subject to U.S. tax filing requirements if holding certain investment vehicles. The definition of a U.S. [Read more]
Recent technology sector events, such as King Digital Entertainment’s IPO and Facebook’s $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp, have investors talking about a bubble. Price-earnings ratios in the sector are certainly high, and some valuations may not be realistic, but data show the sector [Read more]
Sensitivity to market volatility and concerns about rising interest rates have many investors turning to alternative strategies as a way to get downside protection. Data provider Hedge Fund Research says total assets in the global hedge fund industry have increased to $2.63 trillion. Meanwhile, [Read more]
