Asset allocation

U.S. default seen as buying opportunity

The risk of America technically defaulting on its debt is increasing rapidly, with the odds of such an event rising to 1 in 5 as a result of political bickering south of the border. That’s the view of Jack Ablin, chief investment officer of BMO Harris Bank in the U.S., who said the risk was […]

By Staff |July 21, 2011

3 min read

Industry

Bullion bounces back with record bull run

Gold on a record-breaking roll! Gold hits record high! Gold Keeps Climbing! Newspapers around the world are running screaming headlines as the fickle yellow metal continues its longest winning streak in modern memory. The timing, therefore, couldn’t be better for some sobering advice to bedazzled gold bugs. Somewhere lost in the rush for gold is […]

By Vikram Barhat |July 14, 2011

4 min read

Industry

Alternatives becoming the new core

Alternative investments will increasingly become part of institutional and high net worth (HNW) portfolios. In fact, they are likely to blend right in to the traditional portfolio, supplanting long-held notions of what the portfolio core should look like. “Alternatives, at least for the next few years, are increasingly going to be part of our portfolios—certainly […]

By Staff |July 4, 2011

7 min read

Industry

U.S. stocks back in vogue: Russell survey

The U.S. economy should sustain its recovery, despite the expiry of the Federal Reserve’s second round of quantitative easing, according to a survey of Canadian investment managers. In fact, the latest Russell Investments Investment Manager Outlook found that the American stock market is seen as holding the most promise. Sixty-two percent of respondents were bullish […]

By Staff |July 4, 2011

2 min read

Volatility demands active management

In a world where volatility is the new normal, getting the right asset mix and sector-rotation can make the difference between capital gain and loss. “You have got to be an active manager,” said John Zechner, chair and CEO of J. Zechner Associates Inc., speaking at the CIFPs 9th Annual National Conference-2011, in Ottawa. “Markets […]

4 min read

Fidelity’s Stein neutral on stocks, sees no double dip

Equity risk and concerns about the outlook for Europe and China received top billing from Geoff Stein, portfolio manager and co-lead manager of the Fidelity Canadian Asset Allocation Fund, during the fund company’s recent ‘Straight Talk on the Markets’ webcast. Stein explains that when he and co-lead manager Derek Young took over the fund in […]

4 min read

From asset to risk allocation

The balance between return and risk is often equated with the trade-off between health and exercise. While all investors have an appetite for greater wealth (being healthy), they also have a limited tolerance for risk (exercise). Unfortunately, risk is a difficult, often abstract, concept for investors — especially when it comes to investment selection. As a result, risk is usually ignored altogether.

7 min read

Claymore launches convertible bond ETF

Claymore Investments has announced the launch of the Claymore Advantaged Convertible Bond ETF, available in as either common and advisor units. The ETF is designed to provide investors with exposure to the performance of the DEX Convertible Bond Index, consisting of both tax efficient monthly distributions and opportunity for capital appreciation. “Convertibles are hybrid securities […]

By Staff |June 14, 2011

1 min read

Rethinking asset allocation

One of the casualties of the market meltdown was the confidence portfolio managers and investors had in traditional asset allocation models. At this year’s Canada Cup of Investment in Toronto, Frank Nielsen, executive director and head of Equity and Applied Research (Americas) at MSCI, explained some emerging trends in portfolio construction. One strong trend is […]

3 min read

Investing as much art as science

Investing is intuitive, according to Craig Swanger, head of Macquarie Global Investments. Australia-based Swanger, who is in Canada for a cross-country tour, made this assertion to a group of advisors and clients at the Allstream Centre in Toronto last night. Modern portfolio theory says don’t put all your eggs in one basket, but over the […]

2 min read