Sovereign debt

Stick to gold and equities, avoid bonds

While there’s always a chance of catastrophe, the odds of an all-out financial Apocalypse are pretty long, according to Jurrien Timmer, director of global macro research and portfolio co-manager of the Fidelity Tactical Strategies Fund. In a recent webcast, he explained why he’s overweight equities and precious metals at the expense of investment grade bonds. […]

By Dean DiSpalatro |August 2, 2011

4 min read

Industry

Opportunity lies under ruins of global economy

Unprecedented geopolitical and economic changes have left a trail of destruction, but they’re also breeding new investment opportunities around the world. A panel of investment pundits discussed where those opportunities lie and how to capitalize on them at Franklin Templeton’s 2011 Investment Forum, in Toronto. Discussion rarely strayed far from the usual suspects: the debt […]

By Vikram Barhat |July 22, 2011

4 min read

Economic Indicators

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

Economic Indicators

Recession was easy, recovery will be tough

Canada managed to navigate its way through the Great Recession of 2008 without much damage, but the time for self-congratulation may be over. There are a number of hazards on the horizon, including the withdrawal of government stimulus, rising interest rates and the stubbornly strong loonie is stifling exports. Canada—indeed, the world—still has some challenges […]

By Vikram Barhat |June 8, 2011

4 min read

U.S. politics threaten AAA-rating: HSBC

Despite a growing of risk of a credit rating downgrade, the U.S. remains in denial and unwilling to shake off its decade long fiscal laxity. Rather than cutting to address the disturbing deterioration in fiscal and debt metrics, the U.S. administration remains fixated on spending, says Philip Poole, global head of macro and investment strategy, […]

3 min read