Mutual Fund Updates

iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond

Investing in a laddered portfolio of credits with maturities between one and five years, it offers both a higher yield and shorter duration to the iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF. Barring a complete collapse in the credit markets, I would expect that higher yielding corporate bond names will outperform government issues, even in the shorter part of the curve. That makes this my top...

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PowerShares Tactical Bond ETF (TSX: PTB)

With the U.S. Federal Reserve widely expected to finally begin moving interest rates higher in September, volatility in rates is likely to emerge. In a volatile environment, a more tactical approach can help mitigate some of that volatility and outperform. Based on that premise, I believe this rules based, tactically managed ETF should outpace its more traditionally constructed, index focused...

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iShares MSCI World (TSX: XWD)

This is designed to track the performance of the MSCI World Index, net of fees, in Canadian dollar terms. The index is largely regarded as the global equity benchmark. It provides exposure to large and mid-cap equity exposure across 23 developed market countries. It covers approximately 85% of the free float adjusted market capitalization in each, making it a decent proxy. Unfortunately, there...

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Sentry Small / Mid Cap Income Fund

Fund Company Sentry Investments Fund Type Cdn Small / Mid Cap Equity Rating A Style Mid-Cap Blend Risk Level Medium Load Status Optional RRSP/RRIF Suitability Good Manager Aubrey Hearn since May 2006 Michael Simpson since Mar. ‘08 MER 2.72% Fund Code NCE 721 – Front End Units NCE 321 – DSC Units Minimum Investment $500 Analysis:  This fund just keeps delivering, posting an impressive 7% gain in...

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Sentry Conservative Balanced Income Fund

Fund Company Sentry Investments Fund Type Canadian Neutral Balanced Rating A Style Blend Risk Level Medium Load Status Optional RRSP/RRIF Suitability Good Manager Michael Simpson since Jan ‘12 James Dutkiewicz since May 12 MER 2.23% Fund Code NCE 734 – Front End Units NCE 334 – DSC Units Minimum Investment $500 Analysis: This conservatively managed balanced fund is managed by the team of Michael...

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Dynamic Advantage Bond Fund

Fund Company Dynamic Funds Fund Type Canadian Fixed Income Rating B Style Duration Management Risk Level Low - Medium Load Status Optional RRSP/RRIF Suitability Excellent Manager Michael McHugh since July 07 MER 1.58% Fund Code DYN 258 –Front End Units DYN 688 – DSC Units Minimum Investment $500 Analysis: In an environment where interest rates are moving higher, I believe this is a bond fund you...

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