Top Funds Report – March 2012
Fixed income investments have long been known for their safe haven appeal. In periods of uncertainty, investors flock into government bonds, knowing that they are protected. That trend has held true inCanada. Market volatility has been on the upswing since July. Not surprisingly, from August 2011 until January 2012, bond funds received $9.3 billion in new money. During the same time frame, equity funds lost $9 billion in assets.
Read MoreTop Funds Report – February 2012
Since 2007, global equity markets have been on a wild ride. In 2008, the global credit crisis rocked the financial world with many global markets dropping 30%, 40% or more in a matter of months. Since early 2009, markets have begun to climb back, only to be hit with more uncertainty, thanks largely to the debt crisis that is now raging inEurope.
It’s no wonder that investors have been scared and reluctant to step back into the markets. Despite the turmoil, there are signs that investor confidence is returning. Between February 1st and 3rd, a survey was conducted by Angus Reid to gain an insight into the current attitudes of investors.
Read MoreTop Funds Report – January 2012
After posting strong gains in 2009 and 2010, equity markets went on a wild ride in 2011 as global uncertainty was driven to new heights. Equity markets paid the price for this uncertainty with the S&P/TSX Composite Index dropping nearly 9% on the year. Most other markets experienced similar losses. The exception was theU.S.which rose by 5%,
Given the volatility, it is not surprising that the traditional safe haven investments of gold and fixed income investments performed very well in 2011. The DEX Universe Bond Index rose by 9.7% for the year, while gold jumped more than 10% in U.S. dollar terms.
Read MoreTop Funds Report – December 2011
This month, our top funds are the PH&N Bond Fund, Dynamic Small Business Fund, Manulife Global Opportunities Fund, and the IA Clarington Real Return Bond Fund. Also, based on a request from one of our readers, we take a look at the Mawer family of mutual funds, highlighting some of the great funds available from that highly regarded shop.
Read MoreTop Funds Report for November 2011
Download our full Top Funds Report for November 2011, where our Top Funds are the Dynamic Power American Growth Fund, BMO Guardian Monthly High Income II, the Trimark Fund and the Beutel Goodman Small Cap Fund. We also discuss a a number of funds that were requested by our readers including the TD Canadian Bond Fund, Mackenzie Saxon Small Cap and the RBC Global Precious Metals Fund. You can...
Read MoreTop Funds Report – October 2011
Download the complete Top Funds Report for October 2011. This months top funds include Chou RRSP, Trimark U.S. Small Companies, RBC O’Shaughnessy Canadian Equity Fund, and the IA Clarington Canadian Conservative Equity Fund. We also discuss the impact of recent portfolio manager departures on the AGF European Equity and the Dynamic Value Fund of Canada.
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