Earlier this month, we visited seven cities across the country to present our thoughts on the current investment landscape, share our outlook on the economy and interest rates, discuss a handful of portfolio holdings, and provide an update on our advice offering. A recording of the Toronto session is available below for those who missed the live experience or would like to revisit any of the insights shared. If you have any questions about any of the topics discussed, or your portfolio in specific, we’d love to hear from you. Simply call us at 1-888-888-3147 from 7am to 5pm PT or book a meeti ..read more

While inflation is easing, it continues to be higher than many Canadians are accustomed to and impacts us all. In our latest Coffee Break, we dive into the rising cost of living, and its impact on financial planning and expense management, with Christine White, a Certified Financial Planner with Money Coaches Canada. Whether you're planning for retirement, currently retired, or inflation has caught you by surprise, this video is full of valuable insights ..read more

This article was first published in the Globe and Mail on May 18, 2024. It is being republished with permission. by Tom Bradley Let me guess. When your portfolio returns are positive, your adviser points out the good moves they’ve made. When returns are negative, it’s because of the market. Do you ever wonder why your portfolio is doing well, or poorly? Is it because of your adviser’s brilliance (or ineptitude), the oil or bank stocks you bought, or what the overall market did? There are many factors that fuel returns, although the importance of each varies with time. One quarter, it might be ..read more

Today, we're demystifying the process of securing a mortgage in Canada, a crucial step towards achieving the dream of home ownership. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to refinance, you'll find this discussion invaluable. Our subject matter expert Ray Macklem brings over 16 years of experience and starts by explaining his journey into the mortgage industry, followed by a deep dive into how mortgages work, their benefits, and pitfalls. Whether you're looking to secure your first mortgage or considering your options for renewal, this comprehensive guide offers valuable insights to hel ..read more

This article was first published in the Globe and Mail on May 4, 2024. It is being republished with permission. by Tom Bradley The quarterly reporting period is just winding up. It's the time when investment managers tell us what's happened in the market, how the funds did, and provide some insights into their strategies. Our company uses outside fund managers, so my inbox was full of reports from companies that work with us – or hope to. The good news is that everyone has access to this information online (with a few exceptions). Below are some themes from the first quarter, along with tips ..read more

A key concern for investors in or nearing retirement is the question of how to best draw a reliable and steady income from your portfolio. In our latest Coffee Break, we're joined by Janet Gray, an advice-only financial planner with Money Coaches Canada, to dig into the topic. From addressing the complexities of decumulation to navigating the sequence of returns risk and minimizing taxes, this discussion covers it all. We also explain how our new Steadyhand Retirement Withdrawal Program is a simple and effective solution designed to mitigate market risks and provide peace of mind for retirees ..read more

This article was first published in the Globe and Mail on April 20, 2024. It is being republished with permission. by Tom Bradley This column often focuses on valuation because the price you pay for an investment is the single most important factor in determining your return. It’s not the only factor, but the most dependable one. To quote Howard Marks of Oaktree Capital Management, "No asset can be considered a good idea (or a bad idea) without reference to its price." My purpose here is to drill into how valuation works and why it’s important. The first thing to understand is that valuing fi ..read more

by Tom Bradley When my wife and I are surprised or confused about something, Lori has the habit of saying, "What’s going on?" Rather than wondering or speculating, she gets to the bottom of it. When it comes to the stock market, a lot of people are asking just that question these days. It’s been on a tear over the last six months, regularly hitting new highs. Not surprisingly, the answer is a combination of things, many of which overlap and fuel each other. History. First of all, it’s what markets do. A long-term chart of the overall market trends up and to the right, with a steady diet of new ..read more

If you're a Canadian living in the U.S. or an American working in Canada, you're bound to run into some financial and tax planning complexities. While the topic can seem daunting, it's important to understand what your responsibilities are and who you can turn to for help. In the video below, we chat with Andrea Thompson, a cross-border planning expert and founder of Modern Cents, an advice-only financial planning firm. Andrea shares valuable insights into navigating these challenges and ensuring financial peace of mind ..read more

This article was first published in the Globe and Mail on March 23, 2024. It is being republished with permission. by Tom Bradley The business media is obsessed these days with the possibility (or hope) of interest-rate cuts, the depth and timing of the next recession, the U.S. election and artificial intelligence. Of these, only AI, which has the potential to change how business is done, will have an important impact on long-term portfolio returns. For investors, the other topics are short-term noise. Unfortunately, the noise obscures important trends and innovations that will have a greater ..read more