Blog

Cutting Through the Noise


January 22, 2019

By Salman Ahmed

Clarifying book value

Book value is a term that can be confusing. We seek to clarify it.

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January 17, 2019

By Scott Ronalds

The benefits of diversification - 2018

A colourful look at the benefits of diversification.

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January 4, 2019

By Tom Bradley

Ideas for your RRSP and TFSA contributions

Not sure where to invest this year's RRSP or TFSA contribution? We've got a few ideas.

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October 29, 2018

By Tom Bradley

Canada's place in your portfolio

Geographic diversification is crucial in any portfolio. But the types of companies you own and the investment approach you pursue shouldn't play second fiddle.

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September 6, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

A four-letter word for times of market stress

A look at how ABBA's music has provided a welcome distraction, and unusual soothing power, in times of political and economic gloom.

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August 30, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

Don't let 'Smaugust' cloud your judgement

The last two Augusts have been painfully smoky in B.C. If you're already writing off next August, recency bias is probably playing a role in your thinking. It's important to make sure it doesn't creep into your investing decisions.

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July 19, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

Twenty years on

On reaching the two decade milestone in the investment business, Scott offers up some observations and lessons learned.

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June 28, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

Question from a high-risk investor

Our answer to the question, "What's the most aggressive portfolio I could build with you guys?"

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May 24, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

Hearing things: Yanny or Laurel?

Value or growth? Large cap or small cap? Canada or foreign? Active or passive? Yanny or Laurel? What do all these things have in common? We explain.

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April 26, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

Mountain timing

It was one of those perfect après ski days on the patio at Dusty’s. But then the conversation took a 180, from talk of fresh tracks off Harmony Ridge to market timing. Here’s what ensued.

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March 9, 2018

By Tom Bradley

Hidden commissions – who knew?

If the provincial regulators needed more impetus for getting rid of embedded mutual fund commissions, known as trailers, they got it recently.

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March 7, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

Deadline Day, and how to avoid it

The best way to avoid the RRSP deadline drama? Set up a pre-authorized contribution plan.

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February 23, 2018

By Tom Bradley

Our RRSP tips

At this time of year, we’re being fed a daily diet of investing features and advertorials, which makes it a good time for us to throw in our RRSP reminders.

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February 21, 2018

By Salman Ahmed

Every decision has a trade-off — Even shoe purchases

A look at one of the most important trade-offs in investing — higher potential long-term returns or lower volatility.

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February 5, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

PAC's: The fiber of investing

Pre-authorized contribution plans are a great way to eliminate the temptation of trying to time the market, smooth out your returns, and keep your investing regular.

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January 22, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

The benefits of diversification - 2017

A colourful look at the benefits of diversification.

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January 5, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

What a market decline could look like for a balanced investor

Are you prepared for a market pullback? Here's a few scenarios to help test yourself.

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January 4, 2018

By Scott Ronalds

Good times

2017 was another good year for investors. We should enjoy it, but we should also temper our expectations for future returns.

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December 12, 2017

By Scott Ronalds

Thinking speculative? Follow these guidelines.

Things to consider if you're thinking of investing in bitcoin, cannabis, space tourism or other high risk investments.

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November 16, 2017

By Scott Ronalds

Behavioural economics and the $100 bottle of wine

One of the core assumptions of economics is that people behave rationally. But they don’t. The story of a $100 bottle of wine illustrates.

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November 14, 2017

By Tom Bradley

What are you expecting from your portfolio?

A recent survey found that individual investors are expecting an annual return of 10.2% over the next 5 years. Not to be a downer, but they're likely going to be disappointed.

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November 9, 2017

By Scott Ronalds

Looking at the future

Thinking long term is great in concept, yet harder to execute on. But what if we could actually see the long term?

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October 30, 2017

By Scott Ronalds

Fighting fire with fire

In investing, sometimes the best course of action doesn't sound right or feel very good at the time. Like fighting fire with fire.

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October 25, 2017

By Scott Ronalds

"The market is at an all-time high"

Why this phrase annoys me so much.

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October 20, 2017

By Scott Ronalds

The performance wagon

Why it's important to remember that not all parts of our portfolio will be running at the same clip.

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