In The News

Canadian stocks fell for the third time in four days, led by financial companies, after Bank of Montreal reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed the average analyst estimate in a Bloomberg survey.
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Equity investors crave growth. They’re usually on it like moths to a flame. But that hasn’t been the case when it comes to China this year. [click to read more]

China let loose its monetary policy Wednesday, sending a clear message to global markets that it will do whatever is necessary to keep the country’s faltering economy from a much-talked-about, and much-feared, hard landing. [click to read more]

Japan’s lost decade – or decades – has been a major headache for investors so it’s understandable that dire warnings of a Japanese-style stagnation in Europe and the United States from the likes of IMF chief Christine Lagarde and celebrity economist Paul Krugman has everyone with an equity portfolio on edge. [click to read more]

Alberta is mounting a new offensive on the Keystone XL project, sending its Premier to Washington and naming a new trade envoy to the U.S. as concerns grow that the controversial pipeline may falter.
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Canadian stocks rose for a second day, led by energy and raw-materials producers, as oil and metals gained after a preliminary index of Chinese manufacturing indicated the first expansion in four months. [click to read more]

With Canada’s benchmark index having officially entered a bear market, we asked four dividend-oriented investors each to pick a Canadian stock with an emphasis on the safety of the quarterly payout. We wanted stocks you could tuck away and not worry about, but we also wanted some sizzle with our safety. [click to read more]

Canadian stocks fell for a third day as financial companies dropped on speculation the European Union will require bondholders to face bigger losses on Greek debt and gold and silver retreated.
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As the United States and Europe struggle with anaemic economic growth and a future of fiscal austerity, where can investors find sustainable economic growth and improving government balance sheets?
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Canadian bank stocks have soared relative to their global peers, prompting investors to rethink their stakes in the world’s safest financial-services firms. [click to read more]

Canada’s provincial bonds, trading at the biggest discount relative to federal bonds in a year, are attracting investors after the Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt sparked a sell-off in risk assets.
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Over the last decade, small-cap equity outperformance has been significant on a global basis. Firstly, there are a large number of different definitions with regard to how investors classify a company as a small cap. Generally it is defined by the size of market capitalization (market cap) of the company.
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As Canadians head into full-fledged summer mode and their collective birthdays at the end of the week, a sobering thought that may dim the celebrations: Our seven-year streak of beating the United States at its own game may be coming to an end.
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Buying the preferred shares the big banks issued during the financial crisis is an example of those small, neat wins that conservative investors can parlay into solid gains over the years. But now it’s time to consider selling those rate-reset preferred shares and find alternatives. There may never be a better time, in fact. "There’s some partying like it’s 1999. But given the runup in the markets, it’s only natural to look at QE2 and some indicators and see more difficult and volatile markets in the second half."
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"The perceived status of Canadian government bonds has gotten a bit of bid,” said Ric Palombi, a fixed-income manager at McLean & Partners Wealth Management Ltd. in Calgary, which oversees more than C$1 billion ($1.02 billion). He cited renewed concerns that European governments will be unable to repay debts, and said “obviously, the U.S. has an issue with its debt ceiling."
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McLean & Partners International Equity is ranked #2 out of 406 funds in North America according to industry reports published by RBC Dexia and the Smartmoney/Lipper universe. This remarkable standing puts McLean & Partners on the map as a leader when it comes to investing internationally.
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"We’re starting to see the end of the liquidity trade," says Ric Palombi, portfolio manager with McLean & Partners Wealth Management Ltd. in Calgary. "There’s some partying like it’s 1999. But given the runup in the markets, it’s only natural to look at QE2 and some indicators and see more difficult and volatile markets in the second half." [click to read more]

Calgary-based McLean & Partners, with $1 billion under management, is offering two new investment products aimed at freeing clients from the squeeze between low interest rates and stock market volatility. [click to read more]

It’s that time of year again. If you haven’t already done so, it’s time for you to consider contributing to your registered savings plan (RSP) for the 2010 tax year. [click to read more]

"If there are companies showing that margins are compressing because they can’t pass along these higher input costs ... there’s going to be some caution and there could be downward revisions,’’ said Anil Tahiliani, a portfolio manager at McLean & Partners Wealth Management." [click to read more]

Riding the emerging markets wave. Emerging economies can offer attractive investment opportunities, but you need to do your homework. [click to read more]

In today's low interest rate world, how can an investor position his or her portfolio for cash flow without taking on above average risk? [click to read more]

A debate is raging in the financial media as to whether this current rally is the start of the next bull market or just a short-term rally in a long-term bear market. [click to read more]

If interest rates ride a rising tide, will stocks follow? [click to read more]