Investments

Seven picks for gold-hungry clients

As sovereign debt problems in Europe and stagnant economic growth in America continue to dog the world economy, investors naturally turn to safer havens like precious metals for security. The price of gold has touched close to $1,900 but is still nowhere near its highest value when inflation is factored in.

By Don Sutton |September 15, 2011

3 min read

Industry

Hodson’s plan: Expose industry conflict

There are some who argue that regulation is ineffective, and that market forces can cure all ills. When it comes to compensation disclosure, the market may be about to get out in front.

By Staff |September 12, 2011

3 min read

Industry

Standard Life adds to seg fund lineup

Standard Life has added two fund companies to the roster of underlying investments for its segregated funds. Retail investors now have access to seg funds based on Dynamic Funds and Meritas SRI Funds.

By Staff |September 6, 2011

1 min read

Industry

Investment team revels in volatility

The volatility that rocked the markets from late July through the end of August could well be the start of a longer-term trend. When there is no rising tide, clients need to rely on experienced security selection teams to raise their fortunes.

By Staff |September 6, 2011

6 min read

EdgePoint focuses on performance

Targeting 2% of the market is unheard of, but that’s what EdgePoint Investment Group, which celebrates its first fund’s third birthday in November, does. We interviewed founders Tye Bousada and Geoff MacDonald to learn why.

By Staff |September 1, 2011

3 min read

Alpha’s residual nature

In my last article, “The true cost of beta,” (June 2011), I noted that a portfolio manager’s return is made of two components: beta and alpha. Alpha is the extra return generated through manager skill above the return accounted for by the risk premium of the underlying factors the portfolio is exposed to. Alpha is a rare and fleeting commodity that fetches a higher price if it’s sustainable in the long run. Alpha is what is left after we’ve accounted for the beta portion of a manager’s return — it’s a residual value.

By Guy Lalonde |September 1, 2011

5 min read

Dow Jones calls large-cap ‘dead cross’

Here's one for the technical analysis fans: U.S. large cap stocks are set to tank. That's according to Dow Jones Indexes, which found the market has hit a "dead cross" using a quantitative rules-based algorithm

By Staff |August 31, 2011

1 min read

Anti-corruption movement to boost India

As the Arab Spring rolled over into summer, many of your clients have following events in the Middle East and North Africa. Less attention has been paid to political churning in India this summer, but it could arguably have more of an impact on investors.

By Vikram Barhat |August 31, 2011

3 min read

Investments

Seven picks for gold-hungry clients

Hodson’s plan: Expose industry conflict

Standard Life adds to seg fund lineup

Investment team revels in volatility

For some clients, buying a plane makes sense

EdgePoint focuses on performance

Risk is back

Alpha’s residual nature

Dow Jones calls large-cap ‘dead cross’

Anti-corruption movement to boost India