Interest rate

Industry

Canadian insurers will face hurdles in 2013

Canadian life insurers are in a better position than their U.S. counterparts, but still face challenges.

By Staff |March 14, 2013

2 min read

Industry

BoC keeps rate at 1%

The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight interest rate at 1%. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1.25% and the deposit rate is 0.75%. The global economic outlook is broadly consistent with the Bank’s projection in its January Monetary Policy Report (MPR). Global financial conditions remain stimulative, despite […]

By Staff, with files from The Canadian Press |March 6, 2013

3 min read

Industry

Investors unhappy with returns

A low interest rate environment is taking a toll on investors. Almost half (42%) who name income generation as their primary investment objective are unsatisfied with portfolio returns, finds a new CIBC poll. And only 10% are completely satisfied. Despite the concern, 54% of income investors in low-yielding products aren’t considering moving funds, with 52% […]

By Staff |February 5, 2013

1 min read

Economic Indicators

Interest rates won’t budge until 2015: Scotiabank

Scotiabank has changed its interest rate forecast.

February 4, 2013

2 min read

Interest in investment-grade debt dwindles

Pressure mounts on investment-grade bonds as a growing number of investors feel they are headed for a collapse. Their current high valuations and the risk of Fed’s ultra-low interest rates pushing the U.S. Treasury yields higher are two of many factors responsible for fanning the negative sentiment, says report in the Financial Times. Because bond […]

By Staff |January 24, 2013

1 min read

Commodity boom makes way for yield trade: Macquarie experts

With the commodity price surge over and China shifting from investment to consumption, investors need to think carefully to position themselves for a rapidly changing global environment, according to the 2013 Global Market Outlook from Macquarie Private Wealth. The world’s centre of economic gravity continues to shift eastward with the rise of the Chinese consumer […]

By Staff |January 17, 2013

2 min read

Disability’s an important sale

Low long-term interest rates, introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards and unprecedented market volatility have created an uncertain environment for Canadian insurers and advisors.

4 min read

As goes January, so goes the year?

There’s a traders’ omen that suggests the month of January sets the tone for stock markets in the full year ahead. This seems reasonable since for the past 100 years, January’s performance has predicted the outcome of the full year 75% of the time. Not perfect, but the odds are decent.

By David Andrews |January 14, 2013

4 min read

Low margins worry U.S. banks

The profit margins for U.S. banks have become wafer thin as the spread between their borrowing and lending rates has shrunk to the levels once seen in the 1950s. With the Federal Reserve’s keeping the interest rate at a historic low, banks are struggling to stay profitable, says a report in the Financial Times. Wells […]

By Staff |January 14, 2013

1 min read