Newsletters
Uncertainty: the one thing markets really do not like - March 2008
Are you tired of the snow yet? How about all the volatility in the markets ? Spring is coming, even if it doesn’t quite look that way just yet. Unfortunately for investors, relief may have to wait a bit longer…”
History Lessons - January 2008
As I thought about the events that marked 2007, I was reminded of the wise words of Sir John Templeton, an investor of great renown. He warns that one should never forget the lessons of history. According to Sir John, "This time is different” are among the most costly four words in market history…”
2006: The January Effect - January 2007
At the outset of the year, I told you about an old saying among investors: "As goes the month of January, so goes the rest of the year." It seems that the January effect, as it is called, played itself out this year entirely as the saying would have it.…”
Income trusts - October 2006
By now, I expect you have heard about the surprise announcement by the Federal government concerning the taxation of income trusts. If you are in the least bit worried as to how this might affect you, let me put your concerns to rest…”
Oh Canada!, eh? - December 2005
When I wrote to you last year, I said that 2004 was the year for Canada to shine in world capital markets. Well, it seems that was only the dress rehearsal.…”
Transparency and Due diligence - September 2005
As I was paging through the Gazette yesterday, I noticed an article by business columnist Paul Delean. It starts off like this:
“Gee a whole week without a fresh mutual fund scandal in Quebec. Nobody was closed down, nobody had their assets frozen by regulators. What's the problem?…”
2004: A Delightfully Uneventful Year ! - December 2004
Several years ago, I started writing you this year-end letter to review the more noteworthy events of the year and help you understand their impact as an investor. In comparison to recent years, 2004 has been delightfully uneventful. No stunning losses or gains. No dramatic turns of events. Just the normal ebb and flow.
A New Year's Resolution: Back to Basics - December 2003
What a difference a year can make! This time one year ago, we were facing yet another year of negative returns in the stock markets, the third in a row. What's more, with war looming in Iraq, the outlook for 2003 was pretty bleak. Yet, as time proves again and again, things can change very quickly and most often when you least expect it.
Bravo! - December 2002
Another year is drawing to a close and what a trying one it has been for stock market investors - not to mention their financial advisors! Although stock prices ...
Making Friends with Uncertainty - July 2002
It is now mid-July 2002, more than 28 months since the tech bubble burst and stock markets are as depressed as ever. It seems that ...
After September 11 - September 2001
Six weeks have now passed since September 11, 2001 - a date that will remain forever infused in our memories. As promised, I'd like to offer my comments ...
We've been here before - April 2001
Feeling a little confused lately about the direction of the economy and the ongoing drama in the stock markets? If you are ...
The Year of the Dragon December 2000
According to Chinese astrology, the year of the Dragon is a time for grandiose, ambitious projects, a time of excitement and exhilaration ...
Saying Goodbye to '99 - December 1999
No offense hockey fans, but this is not another eulogy to Wayne Gretzky. The '99 I am referring to is this second last year of the century ...
The latest scoop on registered education savings plans (RESPs) - July 1998
Those of you who have already discussed education savings plans with me know that, in the past, I have always recommended "in-trust" accounts ...
On the market's recent ups and downs - September 1998
Feeling a little queasy lately? After the wild ride world stock markets have taken over the past several weeks...
Articles
Pay Equity Winfall January 2000
In October 1999, an agreement was finally reached to settle the 16-year-old dispute over pay equity in female-dominated positions of the federal civil service. As a result ...
Relying on the public insurance plan could be a risky business - October 1998
Lorna Heaton arrived home from work one Friday evening to discover that her husband and their 18-month old son had been hit by a truck ...
Making investments with a clear conscience - February 1998
With a strong stock market and interest rates at historical lows, mutual funds have increasingly become the RRSP investment of choice. According to one...
Financing post secondary education without going into debt - September 1997
Imagine being a young university graduate and owing a hefty $20,000 in student loans. You haven't even landed your first full-time job and you are already...