Economics
A disturbing trend in offshore outsourcing...
A story broke recently in the Canadian media regarding a few prominent companies who have been (allegedly) replacing full-time Canadian employees with foreign workers who were in the country on temporary work visas. This post isn't about how right or wrong this practice is - I've spent years working on both sides and I can … Continue reading
Investment Outlook for 2013 - what I'm reading....
While 2012 saw equities muddle along, 2013 should prove to be a very 'interesting' year. Here is a list of articles I'm reading now to form a bias for the next 12 months...
An open letter to Hurricane Sandy...
Dear Sandy, On behalf of our American brothers, we're sorry. We know you're upset, and you have every right to be. We know Americans put 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. We know most of that is absorbed by the ocean, which you seem to be protecting. We also know … Continue reading
Building a Perfect Portfolio - Part 4: Where's the growth?
A great thing about modern-day investing compared to when our parents did it, is that we have so many more options available to us than just the old 'buy and hold' strategy. Ideally, we would just be able to ride a wave of growth by purchasing shares in companies that are poised to take advantage … Continue reading
Building a Perfect Portfolio - Part 3: A bet on inflation
In my last post I touched upon the baby boomer generation's positive impact to the overall economy. Given that they were a good catalyst to 50 years of stock market explosions, I'd say it's worth examining this group a little closer. Ask a boomer how much they paid for their first home 30 years ago … Continue reading
Building a Perfect Portfolio - Part 2: The only thing certain is uncertainty
This is a 50-year chart showing the S&P 500 index from the year 1960 to present day (click on the chart for a larger image). After chopping around in the 60s, the market bottomed round 1975. After that it didn't look back as the market soared to the first of three peaks you see at … Continue reading
Building a Perfect Portfolio - Part 1: Starting Out
A good friend of mine who has just graduated is looking for a good place to start investing. She's young, and time may be her side, but today's youth won't find it nearly as easy as their parents did to build their wealth. Global growth has stalled, and many are even calling a top on … Continue reading
War on gas is a bunch of hot air
I received one of those call-to-action emails today... this one titled "The War On Gas Prices". The basic idea is for consumers to boycott Petro Canada, thus forcing this former crown corporation to reduce prices. This action will then force the other gas companies to follow suit, supposedly because consumers will then come swarming back … Continue reading
The income trust conspiracy
Why is the Canadian government persistent in trying to 'fix' the income trust sector? Both the Liberals and Harper Convervatives have claimed that legislation is needed to stop the flow of all that lost tax revenue. "Lost tax revenues" may be the way they spin it, but I have to wonder: was this revenue ever … Continue reading
A Soviet reunion
Imagine for a minute that the people who run the government of Canada just disappear. All of the MP's, the prime minister, all of the head bureaucrats at all the ministries and crown corporations one day just decide to quit their jobs, maybe leave the country for more sunny climes. What do you think would … Continue reading