Category: Finance Tips

Many of you may still have investments in Canadian bank GIC’s. In a period of rising interest rates like we have today, bank GIC’s do perform better than fixed income securities because the price is never marked to market. However due to their lack of liquidity, I do not recommend them. Liquidity is something we… Continue reading Invest in Canadian bank common shares or bank GIC’s – This is a no brainer

Advisers make the most money for themselves when you, the investor, is fully invested. There is absolutely no incentive for them to try to time the market. You have all heard them say that market timing does not work and adds no value. At this time, we know that their rhetoric is not correct. Market… Continue reading My adviser tells me to remain fully invested at this time. Should I listen to them?

Many of you know that I have expressed my absolute dislike for this ETF both in my recent book and in my monthly newsletter on many occasions. Many years ago an investor was boasting to me about FFN’s investment performance by saying that you cannot lose. Being suspicious by nature with hybrid investment products like… Continue reading FFN – N.A Financial 15 Split Corp – Never Invest in this ETF

As many of you know, I am a believer in active asset mix strategies to enhance portfolio returns. However, I am not a proponent of either being fully invested at all times or being mainly in cash waiting forever for a market correction. Being fully invested does not provide you with an opportunity to take… Continue reading Asset Mix – Being either fully invested or having too much cash are both dangerous strategies to follow

Many investors, including institutional ones, routinely sell their losers right away thinking this is a good strategy to follow. In my opinion this is a very poor idea. Many years ago I had a client who sold all his US investments at a loss. He thought he was being smart. Six months later the US… Continue reading Should I sell my losers now or wait for a better day?

Learn how to start investing on your own. Retire early by saving on management fees. Learn how to get away from your current adviser without incurring deferred sales charges. Learn how to read financial statements to improve your investment performance. Learn how to select stocks and set up and manage an investment portfolio.

Many advisers encourage the use of mutual and exchange traded funds over individual stock picking. In fact many actually discourage investors from buying stocks on their own. There are many flaws to their argument as follows: When the equity markets go down in a recession there is nowhere to hide if invested in a fund… Continue reading Picking your own stocks vs. using an ETF or mutual fund – Which is a better choice?