IA Clarington Canadian Conservative Equity Fund
Low volatility and excellent downside protection have been why this has been one of my favourite Canadian equity funds for the past few years. However, a recent uptick volatility has me a bit concerned. According to the managers, the reason for the higher volatility has been the fund’s significant weighting in the energy sector. Because of this, it has been un-characteristically dragged lower in...
Read MoreMackenzie Cundill Canadian Balanced Fund
This is another fund that I’ve been concerned about for a while. The main reason is it’s higher than average volatility. While, I do believe that investors will see strong returns over the long term, the level of volatility has remained very high for some time. Considering the management team and the process used, I expect it to deliver returns that are in line with its peer group in up markets....
Read MoreAGF Monthly High Income Fund
I have had some concerns about this fund for the past few quarters, given its spotty performance. I believe it has struggled against other balanced funds for a few reasons – first, it has been one of the more aggressively positioned balanced funds and has been underweight fixed income. That has hurt relative performance as Canadian yields dropped in Q1. Second, its equity exposure is...
Read MoreTD Short Term Bond Fund
It’s not that there is necessarily anything wrong with this fund, it is just that in the current rate environment, I believe it will be tough for it to generate any level of meaningful return with its 1.34% MER. Instead, I would suggest the PowerShares 1-5 Year Laddered Bond Fund or the PH&N Short Term Bond & Mortgage Fund, but only if you can access the low cost D or F series. If not,...
Read MorePH&N Short Term Bond and Mortgage Fund
This has long been one of my favourite short term funds available. It is run by a strong management team, and has delivered decent risk adjusted returns over the long term. At the end of March, its duration was 2.7 years, and it offered a 1.5% yield to maturity. However, with an MER of 1.16% for the advisor sold units, the cost was making the fund uncompetitive, particularly if there are no...
Read MoreFidelity Canadian Growth Company Fund
Fund Company Fidelity Investments Canada Fund Type Canadian Focused Equity Rating A Style Large Cap Growth Risk Level Medium High Load Status Optional RRSP/RRIF Suitability Good Manager Mark Schmehl since March ’11 MER 2.29% Fund Code FID 265 – Front End Units FID 565 – DSC Units Minimum Investment $500 Analysis: Since stepping into the manager’s chair in March 2011, Mark Schmehl has done an...
Read More