The Love Letter – April 2020
The risk and opportunity of investing in Canadian banks A foreigner visiting a Canadian city for the first time could tell a lot about us by standing at any major intersection. Tim Horton’s would occupy one corner, on the second could be a Shoppers Drug Mart or gas station or LCBO, and the remaining two […]
Financial Implications Announced by The Canadian Government
These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures to help our country navigate the financial pressures resulting from the economic climate. The Federal Government announced today measures to help Canadian individuals and business owners cope with the fallout from COVID-19. It is important to understand that most of the measures announced are payment deferrals and […]
Tax Planning in Volatile Times: Is Now the Time to Consider an Estate “Freeze” or “Refreeze”?
During these unique times of COVID-19 which have created uncertainty and significant stock market volatility, the famous military strategist Sun Tzu comes to mind. In The Art of War he famously stated, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”. An Estate “Freeze” or “Refreeze” are potential tax planning strategies, which may allow you to take advantage of certain opportunities in […]
It’s a Marathon not a Sprint
We’re in week number two of cocooning and there’s no firm date when we’re going to emerge. This new normal, albeit temporary, requires that we adjust our daily routines and pace. Capital markets continue to their own journey through this nebulous period. Over the past month, we’ve seen record-setting down and up days as markets […]
The Love Letter – March 2020
Fear and Greed: The human emotions that drive market extremes For the week ending February 28, the S&P/TSX Composite Index declined 8.9% and the S&P500 Index declined 11.5%, marking the worst one-week performance since the 2008 financial crisis. It’s noteworthy that these same markets had just set new all-time highs the week before. While […]
The Love Letter – January 2020
Investing like a pension fund Canada’s six largest pension funds collectively manage $1.3 trillion on behalf of their beneficiaries, representing 62% of the $2.1 trillion total pension fund assets in the country (based on reports from the Pension Investment Association of Canada). To provide context, the total estimated value of Canada’s equity and bond markets […]
The Love Letter – November 2019
Real estate: perennially out of the limelight, but consistent outperformer Over the course of a year, we attend dozens of presentations put on by institutional strategists, economists, and portfolio managers. These sessions are valuable as they add to our body of knowledge and help to compare our own market views with other market participants. A […]
Understanding your Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
Last time we were introduced to RESPs, one of the most useful financial tools in Canada. It can be difficult however to take full advantage of the benefits that RESPs have to offer. Read on to learn how to make the most of this opportunity for your child or grandchild: Contributing to your RESP Unlike […]
The Love Letter – Sept 2019
Let’s make a deal Viewers of Let’s Make a Deal, the TV game show of yesteryear, will remember the intrigue as the two final contestants had to choose among three doors before the set of prizes was revealed one by one. Occasionally, host Monty Hall would give contestants the option to change their selection after […]
The Love Letter – Aug 2019
As an economic inflection point nears, we expect volatility to remain high If you’re seeing or hearing the word “recession” more often in recent weeks, you’re not alone. The body of evidence of an impending economic slowdown is starting to grow. After a robust start to the year, the recent spike in volatility can be […]