Investorial

Irwin Michael is my favourite fund manager because of his no compromise, no spin, non-apologetic approach to openly discuss investing. He talks and writes candidly about his investment decisions; allowing me to soak up his perspective and learn from it. You won’t catch him doing any sweet-talking to appease investors and audiences. As of the end of August 2006, Irwin’s ABC Fundamental Value has averaged an annual 17.82% return for the last 15 years while it’s benchmark indes S&P/TSX Total Return has only managed a 10.79% in the same timeframe.

If you haven’t yet, you should start by reading Deep Value Face-Off - Part 1, and Deep Value Face-Off - Part 2 first! (more…)

Ross Healy is the chariman and CEO of Strategic Analysis Corporation, an investment advisory firm. Though I feel at times, that Ross’s comments are too politically correct, too on the fence, I still recognize that Ross is very much respected in the Canadian investment scene. Ross is best known for his bearish call on Nortel when it was trading over $100 in 2000. As of June 2006, Strategic Analysis Corporation’s model portfolio has outperformed the S&P/TSX Total Return index to a tune of 20.9% to 11.7% since its 1993 inception.

If you haven’t yet, you should start by reading Deep Value Face-Off - Part 1 first! (more…)

Canada’s Report On Business Television recently held a series of live broadcasts from BCE place in downtown Toronto. On Monday, September 18th, 2006, they invited two venerable deep-value fund managers in a question and answer forum. You might think I’m hypocritical for advising people not to obssess over ROB-TV while highlighting this event. However, my interest was peaked because of Irwin Michael’s appearance. I hope you will see why I listen when Irwin speaks. It’s truly a no-spin zone (unlike Fox News, or Jim Cramer) and investors get to benefit from his wisdom! (more…)

Here’s an update to the whole Canadian TD Waterhouse, Amertirade merger. Myself and many commenters have previously voiced our displeasure at the high comission rates that Canadian traders / investors have to endure. Ameritrade Canada was a haven with its $10.99 rate until the hammer dropped to consummate TD and Ameritrade’s relationship. They were further insulted by the lack of tools on TD Waterhouse’s Canadian trading platforms.

To appease the Ameritrade converts, TD Waterhouse Canada instituted a “Welcome To TD Waterhouse” $9.99 comission rate. The offer since June was set to expire today. But former Ameritrade Canada clients are getting a stay-of-execution as TD Waterhouse announces that they will extend the special rate until November 3rd, 2006. How should long-time TD Waterhouse customers (not from Ameritrade) feel about this offer extension? (more…)

InvestorGeeks recently ran an analysis on the spread between credit card interest rates and the American prime lending rate. I feel dirty and used after reading the article. That’s not because of whatever Chris wrote, but because those numbers brought up deep-seated resentment about the Canadian financial services industry.

I’ve blogged critically about high Canadian brokerage commission fees. I can also look past our high tax rates for the reciprocated services. But when I hear complaints about how gas and oil companies are making record profits hand-over-fist, I wonder why Canadians are letting banks get away with the same thing. We are so eager and willing to hand over our money, yet nobody ever questions the sanity of the status quo.

I’ve searched the credit card interest rates offered by the “Big 5″ Canadian banks so that you don’t have to! (more…)

I’ve often voiced my displeasure for the way Canadian brokerage firms mistreat their customers with high fees, poor tools and poor services. You can find the many dissatisfied customer comments on my previous post regarding the TD Waterhouse / Ameritrade merger.

But those same brokerage firms insist that they are improving their services. For example, here’s TD Waterhouse telling you what they’re doing for their customers in their own words! (more…)

Timmins may not be a city you have heard of. If this northern ontario town sounds familiar, you just might be a Shania Twain fan. Not only is the city with the heart of gold Shania’s hometown, it’s also a commonality between Frank Mahovlich (NHL hockey player, Canadian senator), Stompin’ Tom Connors (musician, songwriter), Steve Sullivan (NHL hockey player) and myself. I proudly called Timmins my hometown ever since my family immigrated to Canada when I was age 11. On my recent trip, I was suprised by a few changes I’ve noticed and took some pictures to share with you!

Timmins was recently listed #1 in the April 2006 issue of MoneySense magazine as the most affordable place to live in Canada. To reach this conclusion, MoneySense compared housing prices with local incomes. A year’s income for a Timmins resident would not only theoretically pay for a house, but leave them with a bit left over for paint and wallpaper! (more…)

This year, there are several additional (financial) reasons other than national pride to be jubilant on Canada day. For some, the changes are welcomed, for others it might just be another way for the government to stick it to you. July 1st, 2006 is the day where several alterations to the tax rules are changing for Canadians! Here’s a run-down of some of the more popular that we’ve been looking forward to, eh?

GST Reduction
The federal government is reducing the Goods and Services tax by 1% to 6%. However, they are also increasing Canadian personal income tax rate for those earning up to $36,400 by 0.5% to 15%. Which some have already chimed in as a wash transaction, and perhaps (more…)