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We normally advise investors to avoid new stock issues as they typically come to market when it’s a good time for the company or its insiders to sell. That may not be a good time for you to buy. However, we’re making an exception for Reynolds Consumer Products....

The human and economic damage from Covid-19 so far is minor, compared to what may happen in the coming weeks and months. The stock-market drop to date partly reflects investor guesswork on that future damage may be. Investors are taking their cue from published predictions about the great damage still to come....

The world’s urban population has seen rapid growth, from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in 2018. Currently, 55% of people now live in cities. According to United Nations estimates, the proportion of people living in urban areas will increase to 68% by 2050; with another 2.5 billion people moving from rural to urban areas over the next 30 years.


By 2030, the world is expected to have 43 megacities, or urban centres with more than 10 million inhabitants....

While the world’s population is still growing, it’s also getting older. That should have a profound impact on developed countries in Europe, Asia and North America. Aging baby boomers are reshaping government finances, pensions, labour markets, nutrition, and medical services.


At the same time, an aging population, especially in developed countries, can present strong opportunities for companies that can position themselves, and their investors, to capitalize on it.

The world’s population is aging

The global population is getting older, with the cohort of those 65 years old and over growing faster than all other age groups....

ISHARES CHINA LARGE-CAP ETF, $38.92 (New York symbol FXI; TSINetwork ETF Rating: Aggressive; Market Cap: $4.4 billion) tracks the 50 largest, most-liquid Chinese stocks. It started up October 4, 2004, and investors are charged a high 0.74% MER....

This month we analyze two new offerings for ETF investors from Dynamic Funds (a fund manager wholly owned by Scotiabank). The first hands you an actively managed, international dividend-paying portfolio while the second aims to provide investors with exposure to the top internationally listed infrastructure companies.


Dynamic Funds launched the DYNAMIC ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL DIVIDEND ETF, $18.80 (Toronto symbol DXW) in February 2020....

Sweden extensive list of government-sponsored benefits don’t alter the fact that it is a free-market economy. Still, it’s the blend of capitalism and socialism that has helped the country lower the gap between its rich and poor citizens to one of the narrowest in the world.


Moreover, the country’s economy remains highly competitive with equally high productivity....

Sweden’s high tax rates support its extensive government benefits for citizens—from its 18 months of paid parental leave to its housing allowance for families and 20-somethings. But the high tax rates haven’t kept this nation from becoming one of the world’s most-economically competitive.


In fact, government finances are in good shape, and the Swedish economy has seen steady growth over the past decade....

Another “megatrend” offering investors strong potential for long-term growth is the rising number of people worldwide moving to urban centres. Here are three ETFs that focus on mining, infrastructure, cybersecurity and other industries set to profit from urbanization....

Stock prices have dropped sharply in anticipation of a much wider spread of the coronavirus, and a deep economic setback that could result from that spread.


In a sudden and deep stock-market drop like this, it’s all too easy to respond impulsively or go to extremes....