How to go about securing the best return for your investment in Canada.
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Bernice is debt free and has savings, but wonders if she should start investing in the stock market + MORE Jan 30th
The 35-year-old millennial has her financial house largely in order, says investment adviser Jason Heath, but she may want to consider stock investments in addition to her TFSA and savings accounts.... More »
G20 concludes Brisbane meeting, agree to action to boost growth + MORE Nov 17th
Citing risks from financial markets and geopolitical tensions, the leaders said the global economy is being held back by lacklustre demand
.... More »
Spanish rival launches 2nd takeover bid for Portuguese bank + MORE Apr 18th
LISBON, Portugal – Spain’s Caixabank is making its second attempt in just over a year to take control of Banco Portugues do Investimento, launching a crossborder takeover bid that values the Portuguese bank at 1.62 billion euros ($1.83 billion).
Caixabank, S.A., which is the Portuguese b.... More »
Japan’s Rakuten to buy cash-back site Ebates for $1 billion, aiming to expand product line-up + MORE Sep 9th
TOKYO – Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Inc. says it plans to buy the U.S. based cash-back purchasing site Ebates for $1 billion.
The company said Tuesday that it aims to build the world’s largest product line-up, ranging from niche to luxury products.
Rakuten, which competes with Amaz.... More »
The wrong way to pay off debt + MORE Sep 7th
I’ve always believed that anyone substantially mired in debt has no business fantasizing about retirement. For me, this extends even to a home mortgage, which is why I often say “the foundation of financial independence is a paid-for home.”
Sadly, however, it’s a fact that many Canadian sen.... More »
Carl Icahn warns market could have ‘big drop’
– theglobeandmail.com
The activist investor also says he will stick with his Apple investment
Most actively traded companies on the TSX, TSX Venture Exchange markets
– canadianbusiness.com
TORONTO – Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange:
Toronto Stock Exchange (13,458.06 down 24.50 points):
Air Canada (TSX:AC.B). Airline. Down 26 cents, or 3.82 per cent, at $6.55 on 5.54 million shares.
Canada Lithium Corp. (TSXV:CLQ). Miner. Up 2.5 cents, or 6.33 per cent, at 42 cents on 5.06 million shares. The Toronto-based miner announced that it has achieved a “continuous production of lithium carbonate” at its open pit mining and processing plant near Val d’Or, Que.
Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Plane and train maker. Up a penny, or 0.22 per cent, at $4.65 on 4.54 million shares. Bombardier announced it had secured contracts and interest at the Dubai air show from two companies for a number of its Q400 turboprop planes in deals that could be worth up to US$423 million.
Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC). Insurer. Up 35 cents, or 1.79 per cent, at $19.86 on 4.27 million shares.
Encana Corp. (TSX:ECA)…
Toronto Stock Exchange (13,458.06 down 24.50 points):
Air Canada (TSX:AC.B). Airline. Down 26 cents, or 3.82 per cent, at $6.55 on 5.54 million shares.
Canada Lithium Corp. (TSXV:CLQ). Miner. Up 2.5 cents, or 6.33 per cent, at 42 cents on 5.06 million shares. The Toronto-based miner announced that it has achieved a “continuous production of lithium carbonate” at its open pit mining and processing plant near Val d’Or, Que.
Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Plane and train maker. Up a penny, or 0.22 per cent, at $4.65 on 4.54 million shares. Bombardier announced it had secured contracts and interest at the Dubai air show from two companies for a number of its Q400 turboprop planes in deals that could be worth up to US$423 million.
Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC). Insurer. Up 35 cents, or 1.79 per cent, at $19.86 on 4.27 million shares.
Encana Corp. (TSX:ECA)…
The truth about bond prices
– moneysense.ca
Q: I have 95% of my bond investments in an ETF with a low yield. Instead of investing such a large amount in a bond fund, should I search for individual bonds offering higher returns?
—Jim Semple, Regina
A: You’ve probably seen those obnoxious ads offering “factory direct” pricing. They promise great savings on furniture or flooring by cutting out the middleman. Unfortunately you can’t go direct to the factory when it comes to bonds. “Individual investors are at a disadvantage in buying bonds because unlike stocks, bonds trade from dealers’ inventories,” says Terry Shaunessy, president of Shaunessy Investment Counsel. “Pricing is not transparent. Retail buyers usually pay a big premium—1% or more—over the wholesale or institutional market.” If you want to increase your yield, you could go with a corporate bond ETF or allocate some of your fixed-income portfolio to a preferred-share ETF. Both options involve a bit more risk, but offer the prospect of extra reward…
—Jim Semple, Regina
A: You’ve probably seen those obnoxious ads offering “factory direct” pricing. They promise great savings on furniture or flooring by cutting out the middleman. Unfortunately you can’t go direct to the factory when it comes to bonds. “Individual investors are at a disadvantage in buying bonds because unlike stocks, bonds trade from dealers’ inventories,” says Terry Shaunessy, president of Shaunessy Investment Counsel. “Pricing is not transparent. Retail buyers usually pay a big premium—1% or more—over the wholesale or institutional market.” If you want to increase your yield, you could go with a corporate bond ETF or allocate some of your fixed-income portfolio to a preferred-share ETF. Both options involve a bit more risk, but offer the prospect of extra reward…
Business Highlights
– canadianbusiness.com
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Despite surge, many don’t see a stock bubble
NEW YORK (AP) — Is the stock market due for a pullback?
The Dow Jones industrial average has surged 900 points since early October and crossed the 16,000-point threshold Monday. IPOs are hot again. Small investors, stirred from their post-recession daze, are coming back to stocks. And it’s been more than two years since the market has had a significant slump.
Those trends have raised concerns of a stock bubble. They shouldn’t, money managers say, because even with the broader market’s 26 per cent jump this year, stocks aren’t overpriced yet.
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Stocks hit round-number milestones, then slip
NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market broke through two milestones Monday before giving up nearly all its gains late in the day.
Stocks rose from the opening bell, lifting the Dow Jones industrial average above 16,000 for the first time and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index past 1,800, two big markers in a historic bull market…
Despite surge, many don’t see a stock bubble
NEW YORK (AP) — Is the stock market due for a pullback?
The Dow Jones industrial average has surged 900 points since early October and crossed the 16,000-point threshold Monday. IPOs are hot again. Small investors, stirred from their post-recession daze, are coming back to stocks. And it’s been more than two years since the market has had a significant slump.
Those trends have raised concerns of a stock bubble. They shouldn’t, money managers say, because even with the broader market’s 26 per cent jump this year, stocks aren’t overpriced yet.
___
Stocks hit round-number milestones, then slip
NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market broke through two milestones Monday before giving up nearly all its gains late in the day.
Stocks rose from the opening bell, lifting the Dow Jones industrial average above 16,000 for the first time and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index past 1,800, two big markers in a historic bull market…
Are alternative energy suppliers a good deal?
– moneysense.ca
Q: I recently switched to a company that supplies both electricity and natural gas in my area. Are these alternative suppliers a good deal?
—Ken McDougall, Guelph, Ont.
A: I have insurance on my home, my car and on my life. I spend the money each and every month to protect my family in case something catastrophic happens. But I don’t have insurance on my home heating bill. Alternative energy suppliers are essentially offering insurance that will protect you from variability in electricity and gas prices. However, that protection comes at a price. If your budget is stretched really thin, predictability may be helpful to you. But for most people, an increase in energy prices is not likely to cause serious financial hardship.
If you can stand some ups and downs on your utility bills, it isn’t worth paying more, says Trevor Johnson, an analyst at National Bank Financial. “You will pay quite a premium for the price certainty. If you just let it ride, rates would typically have to rise quite aggressively for the consumer to end up spending more money…
—Ken McDougall, Guelph, Ont.
A: I have insurance on my home, my car and on my life. I spend the money each and every month to protect my family in case something catastrophic happens. But I don’t have insurance on my home heating bill. Alternative energy suppliers are essentially offering insurance that will protect you from variability in electricity and gas prices. However, that protection comes at a price. If your budget is stretched really thin, predictability may be helpful to you. But for most people, an increase in energy prices is not likely to cause serious financial hardship.
If you can stand some ups and downs on your utility bills, it isn’t worth paying more, says Trevor Johnson, an analyst at National Bank Financial. “You will pay quite a premium for the price certainty. If you just let it ride, rates would typically have to rise quite aggressively for the consumer to end up spending more money…
