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SUN LIFE FINANCIAL $44.38 (Toronto symbol SLF; Shares outstanding: 610.6 million; Market cap: $27.0 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 3.4%; www.sunlife.ca) continues to expand in the U.S. At the same time, it’s cutting its risk by focusing on highly profitable niche markets with low capital reserve requirements.



In June 2015, the company bought U.S....

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $60.29 (Toronto symbol BNS; Shares outstanding: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $72.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 4.6%, www.scotiabank.com) is the third-largest of Canada’s five big banks, with $863.1 billion of assets.

In its fiscal 2015 third quarter, which ended July 31, 2015, the bank earned $1.85 billion, up 2.8% from $1.80 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 3.6%, to $1.45 from $1.40, on fewer shares outstanding.

Revenue fell 5.6%, to $6.1 billion from $6.5 billion, but that was mainly because Bank of Nova Scotia sold most of its shares in mutual fund provider CI Financial (Toronto symbol CIX) in 2014. Earnings at the Canadian banking division (49% of the total) rose 14.9% on improving loan and deposit growth. The international business (30%) saw its earnings rise 10.5%, thanks to strong loan demand in Latin America and favourable currency rates.

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Canadian annuities offer a predictable source of income—but we advise against buying them.

The acquisition of a U.S. packaging firm looks like a perfect fit is for one of our leading value stocks, printer Transcontinental Inc.

The price of natural gas, like the price of oil, is highly volatile—and influenced both up and down by a wide range of factors. So it’s a bad idea to base investment decisions on predictions of future natural gas prices, and their effects on natural gas stock prices, because these predictions are simply not reliable.

However, you can profit nicely over long periods by investing in well-established or well-managed companies that are active in businesses that involve highly volatile commodities like oil and gas. You profit all the more if you buy these companies when they are cheap in relation to earnings and assets.

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With growing real estate portfolios in key Canadian markets, we view RioCan and Allied Properties REITs as strong dividend stocks.

Rules you need to follow when buying mutual funds for the long-term success of your portfolio.

Takeovers have helped Canadian beverage maker Cott Corp gain momentum as a growth stock, but the company also faces a number of risks.

Adding high-quality resource stocks to your portfolio can provide you with a valuable hedge against inflation and provide other hidden benefits

With eight operating gold mines and a potential spinoff, Yamana Gold continues to hold a place among our top Canadian mining stocks.

Investing in aggressive growth funds can be profitable for ETF investors who understand the risks

How to make big profits as an aggressive investor, but at the same time, cut way back on your risk

Investors who use a dividend capture strategy hope to sell a stock for as much as they paid for it and “capture” the dividend at no cost.

A basic guide to dividend dates explained to help new and veteran investors alike

Junior energy stock Twin Butte energy has kept its cash flow up with hedging strategies, but its high-yielding dividend may be in doubt.

There are two fundamental things you should know about making growth stock picks.

One growth stock investing cliché says “don’t fall in love with your stocks,” but you shouldn’t fall out of love with a stock so soon that you miss a winner.

With rising revenues from its theme parks and hotels, high-yielding dividend stock Cedar Fair offers investors both income and growth.

To deal with a fragmented portfolio, you need to perform a stock portfolio review as if all your holdings were in one big account.

When you’re investing and planning for retirement, make sure you make realistic calculations rather than indulging in wishful thinking

Focused on the Bakken oil development, Crescent Point Energy is a stock we believe has strong growth potential when oil prices recover

Using a dollar cost averaging strategy is one of the best systematic ways to make money in the stock market.

Getting in on the ground floor with new fast growing stocks may seem enticing, but there are many reasons why most new stocks promoted as “can’t-miss” ideas do miss.

In the complex drug industry, Pfizer’s effective growth strategies—such as biosimilar drugs—make it one of our top U.S. dividend stocks.

Solar energy stocks may become a long-term renewable resource worth investing in.