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Investment Fund Ranking Report – June 2017

Each month, we analyze nearly 2000 mutual funds, pooled funds, and hedge funds putting them through our proprietary quantitative valuation model. We then prepare our Monthly Fund Ranking Report which rates and ranks each of the funds in our universe based on a number of key risk / reward metrics. You can download our June 2017 Investment Fund Ranking Report here.

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Investing for the Crash

Valuations could lead to market turbulence. A strategy and discipline required to weather the storm… In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the potential for a big market correction as we head into the summer and the fall, which has historically been the most volatile period for stocks. There are many reasons for some concern, with valuation levels leading the pack. While...

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Top Funds Report – June 2017

Markets were mixed in what turned out to be a relatively uneventful May, at least in comparison with the last couple of months. The S&P/TSX Composite Index sank by 1.3% on weakness in energy and financial names. Foreign equity markets were mostly higher, with Europe leading the way, as the MSCI Europe Index gained 5.1% in U.S. dollar terms. U.S. equities were positive, with a modest 1.4% rise in the S&P 500 in U.S. dollar terms. Asian markets were mixed.

Investor confidence in the two largest sectors of the Canadian market continued to weigh. Energy names faced headwinds as the oil price fell by more than 2% as increasing U.S. production raised supply worries. Also hurting the sector was Canadian dollar strength, which saw the loonie gain 1.2% in the month.

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ETF Focus List – June 2017

Additions

None

Deletions

None

ETFs of Note

Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond ETF (TSX: VAB) – Bonds did well over the three months ending April 30, as Canadian yields drifted lower across the board. At the short end of the curve, the yield on the Canadian five-year benchmark bond fell from 1.11% to 1.00%, while the ten-year dropped from 1.75% to 1.54%. At the long end of the curve, yields fell from 2.41% to end the period at 2.16%. Because bond prices move in the opposite direction of yields, bonds rallied higher, with this ETF, which represents a broad spectrum of Canadian bonds, gaining a very respectable 2.9%.

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May 2017 Portfolio Review

It was a tough month for the portfolios, with each ending in negative territory, and lagging their respective benchmarks. The strongest showing came from our Growth Portfolio, which was flat on the month, while our Moderate Balanced Portfolio was down 0.5%, trailing its benchmark by more than 100 basis points. For a detailed review of the portfolios’ performance and risk reward metrics, you can...

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