Get ready for precious metals gains

Precious metals should let you profit over the next few years if inflation rises (a clear possibility), and gold, silver and platinum stocks attract new investor interest.
What’s more, if the world economy, particularly emerging economies, continues to expand, consumer gold purchases will rise as well… Read More

Low-volatility funds still carry risks

Superior returns, yet with lower volatility—that’s a great selling point for ETF managers looking to attract skittish investors to low-volatility funds. The use of computer modelling to pinpoint those stocks only adds to the appeal.
However, there are real risks in looking for a “black box”… Read More

Neither of these ETFs holds special appeal

Here we take a closer look at two relatively new North American ETFs. This month’s selections include a quantitative, low-volatility Canadian equity ETF and a global pet-products ETF.
FRANKLIN LIBERTY RISK MANAGED CANADIAN EQUITY ETF $21.04 (Toronto symbol FLRM; Market cap: $12.7 million) aims to invest in Canadian equities… Read More

Keep it simple when investing in ETFs

These two ETFs scored well at the annual Thomson Reuters Lipper Fund Awards. That reflects their performance over the last three years, along with their scores in other key areas.

However, we continue to recommend investors limit their ETF selection to funds that track established… Read More

New ETFs for the Canadian market

Here are three new ETF launches. Each uses “quanitative modelling.” That may make their investment approach sound scientific; however, in our view, it will likely detract from their long-term returns. Many ETFs that use a socalled “black box” to pick stocks find the approach works… Read More