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]
A BMO Psychology of Investing report revealed some worrisome data on investor emotions that included; two-thirds of those polled have not been in total control of their emotions when investing and; a majority of Canadians have invested on impulse at least once. That’s bad news for portfolios [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]
Investors have been busy putting their money to work in the markets. According to the Investment Company Institute, mutual fund assets worldwide increased to an all-time high of $30.05 trillion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2013, rising $3.2 trillion over the year due primarily to strong [Read more]
Canadian residents, who die owning assets such as vacation properties in the United States or stocks in U.S. companies, may be subject to U.S. estate taxes. For tax purposes, assets include real and tangible personal property situated in the U.S., shares of U.S securities and units of U.S. mutual [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]
As Benjamin Franklin said, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Fortunately for some Canadian investors, the latter can be controlled. For those investing outside their registered plans, corporate class funds offer a tax efficient means of [Read more]
With the Canadian dollar at four-year lows, attention has turned to the economy and the impact of the loonie’s devaluation on investors. Many economists are forecasting that the Canadian dollar will fall below the 89-cent (U.S.) level in 2014. National Bank analysts believe that the large [Read more]
Good investors understand the concept of diversification and its benefits in managing risk. However, although many do diversify with individual holdings, the majority fall short when diversifying from a global standpoint. That’s understandable as it’s natural to invest in what one [Read more]
Increased life expectancy has investors worrying that they will outlive their retirement assets, and their anxiety is magnified by concerns about preserving the assets through future market gyrations. This nervousness is reasonable and understandable but there are ways to address it. One is the [Read more]
Pondering the possibility of a personal health crisis is not easy and, despite the growing prevalence of debilitating illnesses and other disabling events, many people put it on the back burner. However, when the unexpected happens, the immediate financial impact can be devastating and negative [Read more]
Leveraged and inverse Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) are gaining momentum. Independent provider Boost ETP says that global short and leveraged ETP assets rose 15% in the first six months of 2013 to $50.9 billion in assets under management. Trading volumes have increased 71% from $114 billion to [Read more]
