When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion.
-African Proverb
What is new at MGI?
Jeff Wareham and Anne Milne are teaming up together to create the Wareham Milne Group. Quite simply, we are both believers in the “team” approach, and our partnership offers the unique opportunity for us to focus on our unique skill sets. It will broaden and deepen the financial advisory experience of both of our clienteles.
As advisors we personally work with clients to provide financial and money management advice throughout their evolving life circumstances. Customized investment solutions are tailored for each family’s goals and needs.
Please allow us to introduce ourselves…
Anne Milne, BA, CIM, CFP
Anne has a unique and diverse career experience; she has been a social worker, a vocational counselor and an entrepreneur in women’s fashions. At the University of Western Ontario she studied sociology and has combined that background with economic studies to give her a unique perspective on the investment process. Her specialty is observing the ‘herd’ not only as it relates to stock market activity, but also how we as humans engage in herding behaviours for most social activities, including investing.
Jeff Wareham, BA, CLU, CFP
Jeff’s degree is in English and Economics. That means he can give you an economic forecast in language you can understand! Jeff focuses his time on helping investors achieve their financial goals using time-proven, “common sense” investment strategies. Jeff is also the host of Beyond Funds Weekly on AM980, a show dedicated to the needs of investors who may seek alternatives to traditional mutual funds. His show covers a wide range of current investment news and topics. He lives in London with his wife Ann Martin and their children. Ann joined his team in September 2008 as an Administrative Assistant.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Top five vacation destinations for your money
Top five vacation destinations for your money
With the lazy, hazy days of summer upon us, it may be the ideal time to send your money on vacation. The summers of our childhood may have been filled with risky adventures, but as we age, a quiet lakeside cottage, or even a leisurely evening on our deck, may be the high point of the summer. Similarly, I believe this summer will be a wonderful time to seek a secure, comfortable, peaceful destination for our money. In fact, with the many unsettling issues and potential events around the world, it may be a great summer to consider a “staycation.” The turbulence of our daily lives, which makes the quiet vacation destination so attractive, is also a compelling argument for seeking a safe harbour for the summer. Let’s take a look at my five ideal vacation destinations for our money.
1) Consider a “Staycation”
In a volatile world, there may never be a better time to seek the safe haven of the Canadian Domestic economy. We have a great government balance sheet, relatively business friendly economic policy, and a wealth of resources unmatched in the western world. We are readily accessible to the booming economies of the Far East, and we still have the best trade relationship with the US of any country in the world. The market may be turbulent on the low volumes of summer, so the opportunity may emerge to pick away at great Canadian companies with solid balance sheets and growth in revenue.
Take a Staycation. Buy Canada.
2) Avoid the roller coasters
The Flash Crash of May 6th remains largely unexplained. Europe is essentially bankrupt. The states in our southern neighbour are worse off than the EU. Global markets have recovered about half of the losses they experienced through the catastrophe of 2008 and early 2009, but have broken many important technical trend lines over the last couple weeks. The market reminds me of Space Mountain, the great dark roller coaster. You really don’t know what is coming next, you can’t see it, but you know it is going to be wild. I love roller coasters, but I think money belongs on the sidelines when the ride looks wild. Ultimately, the majority of long term equity returns have come from dividends, so why not look for stability, with a steady pattern of dividend growth.
Avoid the roller coasters. Buy dividend growers and lower volatility stocks.
3) Go somewhere boring
In January of this year, I took a very strong stance in favour of corporate bond funds. Virtually every advisor I knew was bearish on bonds. I took some heat for this stance, but I was right, and I continue to think the broad based hatred of bonds is misplaced. There is a lot to be said for return of your money trumping return on your money. In fact, even government debt has rallied recently, but I prefer corporate bonds over government bonds. Corporate bonds pay better interest than government bonds. Most Corporate balance sheets are far superior to those of governments. If the economic recovery continues, corporate will benefit from upgrades, and may even earn capital gains despite the fact that global yields on government debt will rise. If the economy stumbles, corporate bonds are much more likely to hold their own than stocks. Get paid to sit on the sidelines, whichever way the economy goes.
Go somewhere boring. Buy corporate bonds
4) Go somewhere unloved
Halloween of 2006 may have been the last time you considered the great, unloved, and dying segment of the Canadian investment market, the income trust. In their glory days, they were the darling of Bay Street. The beneficial tax treatment is disappearing. Investment dealers provide little research. If you held them in O6, they hurt you. Many are busted businesses, with busted capital structures, yet I believe they deserve a second look. With this painful environment, it is tough to own the trusts, but there are some real gems among them, with eye popping, often double digit distributions. I love income payers, so these unloved companies are on my radar.
Go somewhere unloved. Buy income trusts.
5) Consider a seasonal retreat
One of the most impressive interviews I have conducted was of Brooke Thackray, the author of a number of books, including an excellent guide on seasonal investing. Brooke has brought out an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that tracks the seasonal nature of the market. This ETF has been outstanding so far. If you want a copy of his book on the subject, let me know. If you want to put your money on autopilot for the summer, why not consider his ETF?
Consider a seasonal retreat. Buy the seasonal ETF.
With the lazy, hazy days of summer upon us, it may be the ideal time to send your money on vacation. The summers of our childhood may have been filled with risky adventures, but as we age, a quiet lakeside cottage, or even a leisurely evening on our deck, may be the high point of the summer. Similarly, I believe this summer will be a wonderful time to seek a secure, comfortable, peaceful destination for our money. In fact, with the many unsettling issues and potential events around the world, it may be a great summer to consider a “staycation.” The turbulence of our daily lives, which makes the quiet vacation destination so attractive, is also a compelling argument for seeking a safe harbour for the summer. Let’s take a look at my five ideal vacation destinations for our money.
1) Consider a “Staycation”
In a volatile world, there may never be a better time to seek the safe haven of the Canadian Domestic economy. We have a great government balance sheet, relatively business friendly economic policy, and a wealth of resources unmatched in the western world. We are readily accessible to the booming economies of the Far East, and we still have the best trade relationship with the US of any country in the world. The market may be turbulent on the low volumes of summer, so the opportunity may emerge to pick away at great Canadian companies with solid balance sheets and growth in revenue.
Take a Staycation. Buy Canada.
2) Avoid the roller coasters
The Flash Crash of May 6th remains largely unexplained. Europe is essentially bankrupt. The states in our southern neighbour are worse off than the EU. Global markets have recovered about half of the losses they experienced through the catastrophe of 2008 and early 2009, but have broken many important technical trend lines over the last couple weeks. The market reminds me of Space Mountain, the great dark roller coaster. You really don’t know what is coming next, you can’t see it, but you know it is going to be wild. I love roller coasters, but I think money belongs on the sidelines when the ride looks wild. Ultimately, the majority of long term equity returns have come from dividends, so why not look for stability, with a steady pattern of dividend growth.
Avoid the roller coasters. Buy dividend growers and lower volatility stocks.
3) Go somewhere boring
In January of this year, I took a very strong stance in favour of corporate bond funds. Virtually every advisor I knew was bearish on bonds. I took some heat for this stance, but I was right, and I continue to think the broad based hatred of bonds is misplaced. There is a lot to be said for return of your money trumping return on your money. In fact, even government debt has rallied recently, but I prefer corporate bonds over government bonds. Corporate bonds pay better interest than government bonds. Most Corporate balance sheets are far superior to those of governments. If the economic recovery continues, corporate will benefit from upgrades, and may even earn capital gains despite the fact that global yields on government debt will rise. If the economy stumbles, corporate bonds are much more likely to hold their own than stocks. Get paid to sit on the sidelines, whichever way the economy goes.
Go somewhere boring. Buy corporate bonds
4) Go somewhere unloved
Halloween of 2006 may have been the last time you considered the great, unloved, and dying segment of the Canadian investment market, the income trust. In their glory days, they were the darling of Bay Street. The beneficial tax treatment is disappearing. Investment dealers provide little research. If you held them in O6, they hurt you. Many are busted businesses, with busted capital structures, yet I believe they deserve a second look. With this painful environment, it is tough to own the trusts, but there are some real gems among them, with eye popping, often double digit distributions. I love income payers, so these unloved companies are on my radar.
Go somewhere unloved. Buy income trusts.
5) Consider a seasonal retreat
One of the most impressive interviews I have conducted was of Brooke Thackray, the author of a number of books, including an excellent guide on seasonal investing. Brooke has brought out an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that tracks the seasonal nature of the market. This ETF has been outstanding so far. If you want a copy of his book on the subject, let me know. If you want to put your money on autopilot for the summer, why not consider his ETF?
Consider a seasonal retreat. Buy the seasonal ETF.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Canadian Success Story to Watch
Last week, I visited a wonderful, hospitable province, which, in my opinion, is the Canadian success story of the 21st century. It is almost hard to fathom that there is a province which;
-supplies 1/3 of the world’s potash
-supplies 1/4 of the world’s uranium
-is the 2nd largest oil producing province
-is the 3rd largest natural gas producing province
-is the 3rd largest coal producing province
-has significant oil sands potential
-has the world’s largest diamond exploration project (Shore Gold)
-has significant base and precious metal finds (zinc, copper, gold)
-has the largest rare earth minerals find in North America
-has significant potential for helium and associated gases
(Excerpted from “The World is Watching Saskatchewan” -49 North information brochure)
Few Canadians give much thought to Saskatchewan...but you should. After years of overtly anti-business sentiment, an entrepreneur friendly government has risen to power. Resource development is no longer a dirty word in Saskatchewan, and the result has been swift and dramatic. Major mining company regional head offices are scattered around downtown Saskatoon. The decades old population bleed has been stemmed, and the province grew by 30,000 last year. Graduates who fled their homeland to Alberta, BC, and Ontario, are returning. House prices have doubled. Investment dollars are flowing in, and opportunity abounds.
Over the next few weeks, my show will concentrate on this growing investment opportunity. Stay tuned...it really is an exciting opportunity.
-supplies 1/3 of the world’s potash
-supplies 1/4 of the world’s uranium
-is the 2nd largest oil producing province
-is the 3rd largest natural gas producing province
-is the 3rd largest coal producing province
-has significant oil sands potential
-has the world’s largest diamond exploration project (Shore Gold)
-has significant base and precious metal finds (zinc, copper, gold)
-has the largest rare earth minerals find in North America
-has significant potential for helium and associated gases
(Excerpted from “The World is Watching Saskatchewan” -49 North information brochure)
Few Canadians give much thought to Saskatchewan...but you should. After years of overtly anti-business sentiment, an entrepreneur friendly government has risen to power. Resource development is no longer a dirty word in Saskatchewan, and the result has been swift and dramatic. Major mining company regional head offices are scattered around downtown Saskatoon. The decades old population bleed has been stemmed, and the province grew by 30,000 last year. Graduates who fled their homeland to Alberta, BC, and Ontario, are returning. House prices have doubled. Investment dollars are flowing in, and opportunity abounds.
Over the next few weeks, my show will concentrate on this growing investment opportunity. Stay tuned...it really is an exciting opportunity.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Greek Debt Crisis
I have been struggling with the recent response to the Eurozone debt crisis. Quite simply, the EU has made it evident that they will print money to pay the debt of a member that is in trouble. Although this may seem reassuring in the short term, a basic problem exists. With much of the EU counties' debt denominated in Euros, this fundamentally ensures the devaluation of the Euro, to the detriment of global investors. By allowing debtor nations to pay back the debt with essentially devalued currency, the EU does little to ensure the fundamental economic reforms will happen in the weaker member nations, referred to as the PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain, with honourable mention to Ireland).
We have seen how well received Greece's austerity measures have been. Less notice has been given to the electoral rebuff dealt to Angela Merckel on the weekend. Reforms will be unwelcome in both the weaker, and stronger states of the Euro.
If that is not troubling enough, read this Financial Post article (CLICK HERE) on the emerging sovereign debt crisis in the US.
Stay tuned. This story is far from over!
We have seen how well received Greece's austerity measures have been. Less notice has been given to the electoral rebuff dealt to Angela Merckel on the weekend. Reforms will be unwelcome in both the weaker, and stronger states of the Euro.
If that is not troubling enough, read this Financial Post article (CLICK HERE) on the emerging sovereign debt crisis in the US.
Stay tuned. This story is far from over!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Seasonal Investing Interview
This morning, I am interviewing Brooke Thackray, author of several books, about his work on seasonal investing. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the following;
What is seasonal investing?
What causes the seasonal fluctuations in the market place?
Does it always work?
Does seasonal investing only work in the stock market?
What are some of the seasonal trends at this time?
Are there any seasonal investments in the summer time?
How long does the average seasonal trade last?
How can an average investor profit from seasonal investing?
If you would like a copy of his book, I have a limited supply available...send me an email with your name and address!
What is seasonal investing?
What causes the seasonal fluctuations in the market place?
Does it always work?
Does seasonal investing only work in the stock market?
What are some of the seasonal trends at this time?
Are there any seasonal investments in the summer time?
How long does the average seasonal trade last?
How can an average investor profit from seasonal investing?
If you would like a copy of his book, I have a limited supply available...send me an email with your name and address!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Loonie Soars
After flirting with parity for weeks, the Loonie closed the deal, ending above par with the greenback for the first time since 2008. This is another step in the apparently ineviitable march higher of our currency. In fact, the surging Loonie has meaningful implications for global investment choices by Canadian investors. Tune in this week, for Beyond Funds |Market Weekly, and I will discuss investment alternatives in a world where the strength of our currency may work against you
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Why Bonds May Still Be Good For You
The Current & Future Environment For Fixed Income Markets & Investors:
Most new investment dollars put into mutual funds last year went to bonds. Most bonds across the board (provincials, corporates, high-yields, short-term, long-term, real return) rallied to a significant degree during 2009 due to a lowering rate environment, a contraction in credit spreads and lower than anticipated bond defaults. The outlook for long-dated federal, provincial and high-quality corporate bonds will be poor if we experience rising interest rates The Bank of Canada overnight lending rate has been drawn down to 0.25% - most analysts are expecting the rate to be upwardly adjusted in small increments during the years to come beginning Q3 of this year. With interest rates due to rise, what should an investor do?
Short-Term bonds and bond funds that were widely sold as money market alternatives may be a liability since while their durations are short, the quality of the issues is extremely high and thus more liable to rate increases.
How Can We Make Money in the Bond Market this Year and Years to Come?
Interest rates will be adjusted upward when overall economic conditions improve and GDP growth is also on the rise. At 0.25 percent, there really is nowhere to go but up, once the economic recovery gains traction. As we experience better overall economic conditions and improved GDP growth, defaults within high-yield bonds will decline. In relation lower credit quality investment-grade bonds, improved GDP growth and better overall economic conditions will mean credit qualities improve.
This means that the potentially negative effect of rising interest rates may well be off-set by the positive effect lower default rates have on high-yield bonds and the progression in credit quality, lower quality investment-grade corporate bonds experience, spurred by improved economic conditions.
Yet another consideration is that under these circumstances: It is anticipated that many high-yield bonds will become investment-grade (going from BB to BBB ratings) and become eligible for purchase by a variety of institutional purchasers (Pensions, Endowment Funds, Corporations etc...) increasing demand volume.
In other words, corporate and high yield bonds may be the ideal fixed income alternative in an improving economic environment.
Most new investment dollars put into mutual funds last year went to bonds. Most bonds across the board (provincials, corporates, high-yields, short-term, long-term, real return) rallied to a significant degree during 2009 due to a lowering rate environment, a contraction in credit spreads and lower than anticipated bond defaults. The outlook for long-dated federal, provincial and high-quality corporate bonds will be poor if we experience rising interest rates The Bank of Canada overnight lending rate has been drawn down to 0.25% - most analysts are expecting the rate to be upwardly adjusted in small increments during the years to come beginning Q3 of this year. With interest rates due to rise, what should an investor do?
Short-Term bonds and bond funds that were widely sold as money market alternatives may be a liability since while their durations are short, the quality of the issues is extremely high and thus more liable to rate increases.
How Can We Make Money in the Bond Market this Year and Years to Come?
Interest rates will be adjusted upward when overall economic conditions improve and GDP growth is also on the rise. At 0.25 percent, there really is nowhere to go but up, once the economic recovery gains traction. As we experience better overall economic conditions and improved GDP growth, defaults within high-yield bonds will decline. In relation lower credit quality investment-grade bonds, improved GDP growth and better overall economic conditions will mean credit qualities improve.
This means that the potentially negative effect of rising interest rates may well be off-set by the positive effect lower default rates have on high-yield bonds and the progression in credit quality, lower quality investment-grade corporate bonds experience, spurred by improved economic conditions.
Yet another consideration is that under these circumstances: It is anticipated that many high-yield bonds will become investment-grade (going from BB to BBB ratings) and become eligible for purchase by a variety of institutional purchasers (Pensions, Endowment Funds, Corporations etc...) increasing demand volume.
In other words, corporate and high yield bonds may be the ideal fixed income alternative in an improving economic environment.
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