The financial crisis has raised concerns among Canadian executives about both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pension plans, according to Watson Wyatt’s sixth annual Survey of Pension Risk. The survey of 161 chief financial officers and vice-presidents of human resources reveals finds 88% of respondents believe DB plans are in a widespread funding […]
What a difference 30 days can make. After months of record pessimism amongst asset managers, sentiment is now bullish, according to Merrill Lynch’s survey of global fund managers. Surveying 214 fund managers who cumulatively manage a total of US$561 billion, Merrill Lynch’s report categorizes respondents as “reluctant bulls” who are not yet ready to barrel […]
Like most of the real estate investment industry, real estate investment trusts (REIT) are struggling. They have an additional hurdle, which is deciding whether to continue to pay out substantial tax-advantaged distributions to income investors, or cut payouts and save money for future growth. Like most of the real estate investment industry, real estate investment […]
An overheated real estate market in North America was one of the culprits of this financial crisis. Those looking for a quick recovery in the sector are going to be sorely disappointed according to some of the top property buyers on the continent. Speaking at CIBC’s 14th annual North American Real Estate Conference, representatives of […]
Severance planning is a strange dynamic for advisors, and it’s generally a negative and frustrating process for clients. For advisors, it creates a lump sum planning opportunity during a time when revenue opportunities are limited. If you’re not maximizing your clients’ wealth, be warned. Peter Merrick, a CFP and president of merrickwealth.com, is an expert […]
The largest international hedge fund organization, the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), says it wants to work with global regulatory initiatives to improve the transparency of hedge fund activity. In light of high-profile blowups in the hedge fund space of recent, including frauds like the one committed by Bernie Madoff, there have been increased calls […]
Do investors really know the risks associated with their chosen investments? For many of them, the answer may be no, according to Craig Asche, director of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA). Asche, who heads up the Massachusetts-based association that accredits the CAIA designation, was in Toronto last week to meet with key stakeholders […]
It may be no surprise given the current economic climate, but investments in Canada’s venture capital market reached a 12-year low in 2008. Venture capital investment dropped 36% last year, from $2.1 billion in 2007 to $1.3 billion in 2008, according to the industry’s statistical report released today by Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity […]
The hedge fund industry grew too large, too fast, and too stupid—that seems to be the consensus of three hedge fund managers who thrived in 2008 and who expect the collapse of the world’s current financial system to get rid of the losers. Hedge fund managers with double-digit returns during the worst stock market crash […]
The large spending measures announced in Tuesday’s budget by the federal government—an estimated $64 billion over the next two years—could give a much-needed boost to domestic investment opportunities. The budget is generally getting the thumbs up from investment analysts and economists as a means to provide short-term stimulus until the global economy recovers. For investing, […]