Market Insights

Financials in 2011

This past year has been interesting for financials. After the recession in 2008, bank rescues and profits led markets to recovery in 2009 as writedowns on bad loans began to slow and lending activity resumed.

By Andrew Zamfotis |January 1, 2011

3 min read

Currency, alternative asset class or negative-sum game?

The debate over whether currency is a stand-alone asset class — or a quick ticket to a loss — is understandably complicated. Between 2002 and 2007, currency exhibited low correlation with equity. As a result, the argument for currency as a stand-alone asset class — or at the very least an alternative asset class — was strong.

By Rayann Huang |January 1, 2011

6 min read

Preparing the power of attorney

What happens when your client is no longer capable of making his or her own decisions? Perhaps your client has planned for this event and given a power of attorney (POA) to someone he or she trusts. What, then, is your new role?

By Robert Mendenhall |January 1, 2011

5 min read

Economics of retirement in 2010

As we move toward the end of 2010, it’s worth reviewing what has changed – and what hasn’t – in the economics of retirement. We’ll do that by looking at the performance of the global economy and markets this year, investor perceptions of that performance and the ongoing public policy discussions around retirement income in Canada, as well as the impact that each of these factors might have on those who are saving and investing for retirement.

By Peter Drake |December 22, 2010

6 min read