Safety first for these income-focused funds

Whether it’s to provide an income stream to meet financial needs or as a counter to the more volatile parts of your portfolio, there’s always a need for safe fixed-income or cashequivalent funds. These fund types can play just such a role. Money market funds. These may not offer much returns potential in a time of historically low interest rates, […]

Most mutual funds are designed to be medium or long-term investments and not traded frequently – as you might do with an individual stock holding. But occasionally, an individual fund may outlive its usefulness for your portfolio or your goals. Here are four situations that could dictate a review of a fund in your portfolio. Your portfolio needs change. Probably […]

At any given time, or any year, or any phase of the market, one asset class gets all the attention. Tech stocks one year, natural resources the next. Investors can be tempted to chase after those outperformers, hoping to maximize their returns. Of course, none of us can predict the future or who will be next year’s star. Nothing illustrates […]

Despite the less-than-flattering stereotypes, millennials have a lot going for them: they are the most educated and skilled generation in Canadian history. That should set them up for career and life success. But there’s one area where they don’t excel, and that may hold them back. They lack sufficient financial knowledge. According to a PwC study, 24% of millennials have […]

We’ve all heard the friend or colleague bemoaning their lack of retirement savings saying, “My home is my RRSP [Registered Retirement Savings Plan].” A new poll indicates that, for most Canadians actually facing retirement, that’s just not true. The poll by Ipsos, released in July 2018, found that 93% of Canadians aged 65 and over feel it’s important to stay […]

Investing for dividends has appeal for lots of different kinds of investors. Income investors appreciate the predictable flow of income. Conservative investors view dividends as a proxy for well-run, high quality companies. Hard-nosed investors believe that the imposed discipline of dividend payouts makes for efficient use of capital. Is a mutual fund that focuses on dividends an appropriate investment for […]

The final months of the year contain some important deadlines for mutual fund investors. Here are some things to consider: Tax-loss selling. You have until late December to sell a fund (or any security) that settles in 2018 – December 15 is the expected last buy or sell date for Canadian securities to settle in calendar year 2018, based on […]

Trade, tariffs and treaties have dominated the financial news this year – and much of the political news too. Trade disputes between the U.S. and China, the Brexit negotiations between the U.K. and the E.U., and the NAFTA treaty talks all form part of this trend. But should investors be worried about what it means for them and their funds? […]

Getting in shape is arguably one of the most frequent New Year’s resolutions. But it’s not just people who can benefit from a New Year’s tune-up. Here are three exercises we can use to help ensure your portfolio stays in top shape. Balance The key to good physical fitness is balance. The same is true for your fiscal fitness. To […]

With charitable donations, the more you give, the more you get — in terms of tax benefits, that is. One particularly attractive way to support your favourite cause(s) is with a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). These flexible, powerful tools can deliver generous tax benefits today, provide a lifelong income for you and your surviving spouse (or other loved one), and […]