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Spurred by the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on the economy, the Bank of Canada has now cut its benchmark interest rate to 0.25% from 1.25%. Whether it continues to hold that rate steady, or cut it further, depends on the country’s economic growth and unemployment levels.


Meanwhile, even for our conservative investors, we caution against investing in bonds....

This issue of Canadian Wealth Advisor highlights several high-quality stocks and some top Canadian and U.S. ETFs—all with the power to lift your returns.


But first, I’d like to say that I still think the bulk of the damage to the stock market may already be behind us.


As always, we feature safety-conscious stocks ready to add to your long-term returns. Metro is new to Canadain Wealth Advisor, but it’s at the forefront of an essential supply chain for Canadians during the COVID-19 outbreak....

Stock prices have dropped sharply in anticipation of a much wider spread of the coronavirus, and the deep and sustained economic setback that could result. That could happen—no one can predict the future. However, most sharp market downturns are temporary. Due to modern medicine and technology, the coronavirus impact is unlikely to get so big that it brings on a long-lasting stock-market decline.


Our advice is that if your stock holdings made sense for you a few weeks ago, in light of your investment goals, financial circumstances and temperament, then you should hang on to them.


The crisis has also highlighted why you should stick with our three-pronged approach to investing.


Meantime, we still see several compelling buys despite the current uncertainty....

A: The First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF, $22.81, symbol CIBR on Nasdaq (Units outstanding: 46.3 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; www.ftportfolios.com), gives you direct exposure to companies in the cybersecurity industry....

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....

GLOBAL X COPPER MINERS ETF $15.98, is a hold. The ETF (New York symbol COPX; buy or sell through brokers; www.globalxfunds.com) lets you track the Solactive Global Copper Miners Index, which includes 27 global mining and exploration firms....

Investors saw gold jump to almost $1,700 U.S. an ounce in February 2020 for the first time in seven years. The leap was mostly due to uncertainty about how the coronavirus will impact the global economy and, in turn, stock prices. Gold has since dropped back below $1,653.


A health issue like the coronavirus sparks investor worries, due to the risk of economic losses....

ISHARES CHINA LARGE-CAP ETF, $41.26, is a hold for safety-conscious investors. The ETF (New York symbol FXI; buy or sell through brokers) tracks the 50 largest, most-liquid Chinese stocks. It started up October 4, 2004, and investors are charged a high 0.74% MER....

If you’re looking for an ETF with top holdings combined with exceptionally low fees, then Pennsylvania-based Vanguard Group offers you strong options. Vanguard is one of the world’s largest investment management companies. In all, it administers for investors over $5.3 trillion U.S....

This issue of Canadian Wealth Advisor highlights several high-quality stocks and some top international ETFs—all with the power to lift your returns this year.


As always, we also feature safety-conscious gainers ready to add to your long-term returns. Algonquin Power keeps making acquisitions, but it cuts risk for investors by sticking with businesses it knows and backing that up with long-term guaranteed contracts.


Loblaw Cos. continues to prosper in the hyper-competitive Canadian supermarket business....