Market and Investment Insights
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Spring Cleaning Your Finances
The past few years have brought more change — and uncertainty — than many of us could have anticipated. As life evolves, so do our financial needs, priorities, and goals. That’s why it’s important to take a moment to reflect, refresh, and revise your financial,...
Insights
Inflation Relief Rally – May 2022 Review
Inflation Relief Rally May 2022 Commentary & Performance Review The stronger performance in financial markets last month may reflect easing investor concerns about inflation and a willingness to re‐enter the market at more attractive valuations given the sell‐off...
Navigating Market Volatility – April 2022 Review
April 2022 Commentary & Performance Review – April brought more volatility to equity markets as investors remain unsure of the central banks’ plan for future rate hikes. The Bank of Canada and Federal Reserve have not ruled out a 0.75%…
Equity Rebound Amid Tightening Financial Conditions – March 2022 Review
March 2022 Commentary & Performance Review – Equity markets recovered after a precipitous drop through February, with both the S&P 500 and S&P/TSX rising. However, fixed income securities struggled to hold value as high inflation readings raise the potential for a more hawkish…
February 2022 Commentary & Performance Review
Volatility as a result of the invasion into Ukraine caused a selloff in equity markets, with the S&P 500 down 3.2%, the S&P/TSX stayed almost completely flat, and considerable losses for…
February 2022 Market and Portfolio Update
Brent Vandermeer gives a brief market and portfolio update in this short video where he talks about what’s happened in 2021 and where we might be headed next in terms of the economy and markets.
January 2022 Commentary & Performance Review
North American equity markets had one of their worst starts to the year on record, coming off all‐time highs from the prior month. Inflation readings for Canada…
Avoiding the Family Feud – Part 1
Brent Vandermeer joined long-time friend, Colin White, Portfolio Manager, WLWP Wealth Planners – iA Private Wealth, to co-host WLWP Wealth Planners weekly Podcast, Barenaked Money. Colin & Brent do a deep dive into the subject of estate planning. In Part 1, ...
COP26: Keeping Climate Issues on the Front Burner
“Investors today aren’t just investing for performance; they also want the ability to make an impact beyond returns that aligns with their personal values.” Check out the latest article in WP where Brent Vandermeer talks about Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) AKA Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and the upcoming COP26 conference – an annual summit aimed at accelerating progress towards Paris Agreement emissions targets.
A Tale of Two Markets
Bond markets and stock markets usually move opposite to each other, hence their diversification benefits. Today, they appear to be indicating the same thing by moving strongly upward together. One of them must be wrong. Historically, the smart money is the bond market viewpoint. Yet today, central banks are distorting true risk and value by their market operations. The bond market is likely saying that recession is coming. This leads us to continue our shifts to a more defensive portfolio posture.
iA Financial Group Completes the Acquisition of HollisWealth from Scotiabank
QUEBEC CITY, Aug. 8, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. ("Industrial Alliance" or "iA Financial Group") (TSX: IAG) and The Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank") (TSX: BNS) (NYSE: BNS) today announced that Industrial Alliance has...
Updates on IA Securities Acquiring HollisWealth
In a previous communication, we confirmed the ownership of HollisWealth will change from Scotia Capital to IA Securities (owned by Industrial Alliance) in the 3rd quarter of 2017. We anticipate this as a positive transition as we will continue to benefit from the...
Basic Ontario Budget Summary
Below is a brief summary of the Ontario budget from April 27, 2017. You can download a full review from Scotiabank here. Children’s Prescription Medication: All children and youth aged 24 and under, regardless of family income, get free prescription medication...
Protect Your Family’s Future AND Get Rewarded for Being Healthy!
From the desk of Erin Gendron... This is a message for our younger clients or those who are "young at heart". Insurance: Something no one enjoys talking about, but a 'must have' conversation. We feel a sense of responsibility to have this conversation with you - or...
Don’t Look Now
Don't Look Now...but U.S. stocks are in a decided uptrend as a period of market anxieties appear to have faded—at least for the moment. There are a number of factors that investors say are underpinning the recent resurgence in risk-taking that’s lifted the market....
Can I retire?
From the desk of Erin Gendron... At the beginning of the year, over 1500 randomly selected Canadians were polled on their retirement goals and expectations. How do your retirement goals and savings stack up against these findings? Not quite sure if you’re on track?...
Some Thoughts on the Medicinal Marijuana Sector
"A growth opportunity, yes, but at what cost?" These days it seems that many clients are interested to invest in the stories of cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc), artificial intelligence, automation/robotics and cannabis. They are exciting and I can certainly...
Tax Slips and Supporting Documents You May Receive
How you receive tax slips will be a little different this year. Due to the ownership change of HollisWealth midway through 2017, you will be receiving tax slips from both Scotia Capital Inc. (from Jan – Aug) and Industrial Alliance Securities Inc. (from Aug – Dec)....
4 Financial Tips for Active Young Families
4 Financial Tips for Active Young Families From the desk of Erin Gendron... With the start of a new fall season and the end of care free summer days, the ‘responsible, let’s get organized’ side of me kicks into high gear. Fall has always had a 'fresh start' feel about...
Optimize Your Wealth with a Viable Risk Management Strategy
Risk Management is an area where one misstep or oversight can significantly negatively affect your family’s wealth. The earlier one adopts a Risk Management mindset, the better.
What Does Retirement Mean for You?
Planning for retirement isn’t a one-time exercise you can do in one meeting. It will be an ongoing process that will involve a lot of thinking and modifying your plans as you age and your situation changes.
Get Good Advice About Tax and Estate Planning
It’s crucial to recognize that the quality of advice you receive in Tax and Estate Planning can significantly impact your family’s wealth. Exceptional advice can lead to positive outcomes, while anything less can prove costly.
Understanding Your Current and Future Liabilities
The concept of “debt” (in any form) has a bad connotation for some people. While we would never advocate taking on debt imprudently, there are some situations in which borrowing money is in the best interest of your family’s wealth.
The Future of Energy – June 2023 Review
In the June 2023 commentary, we discuss Ontario’s nuclear energy development; China’s activity in liquid natural gas markets; Canadian consumer and the labour market; As we do each month, we highlight the top and bottom performing assets in our portfolios.
What are non-financial assets?
The world of non-financial assets demands careful navigation. Buying or selling such assets often involves intricate processes, specialized knowledge, and potentially significant transaction costs.