Investor sentiment has dropped to its lowest point since the financial crisis, according to a new report by Manulife. Its Investor Sentiment Index reached 16, just five points higher than the 11 points registered during the financial crisis and significantly lower than the all-time high of 34 reached in 2006. The index also found that 26% of […]
During his three-year tenure as a financial analyst at one of Canada’s biggest banks, Devon Wright never once used his company health plan. “There was just nothing there that was of any interest to me,” says Wright, 28. So when Wright quit his job in 2012 to launch technology company Turnstyle Solutions, he decided to […]
Here are some news items to watch this week: CPPIB: The pension fund manager will report is results for the final three months of 2015 on Wednesday. Money managers have faced a difficult time as stock markets have been on a rocky ride. Read: CPPIB among investors seeking transparency on climate change Bank of Canada: Today, deputy governor […]
Whether they’re up or down, you can almost always make a case for participating in commodities markets as long as you can stomach the dizzying swings on the price charts. But how to buy in isn’t always so clear. “The cleanest way to get exposure is to buy the actual commodity,” notes Tim Pickering, CEO […]
What are real assets for when it comes to portfolio construction?
Employers are divided when it comes to drugs. On the one hand, 90% of participants in Benefits Canada’s 2015 online survey strongly or somewhat agree that it would be worth it to pay for a high-cost drug if it meant their employee continued to be healthy and productive. On the other hand, they want financial […]
Whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to enhance the CPP can shift from being a mere campaign pledge to becoming reality hinges on the provinces—and especially on Quebec. As the first province to approve the federal government’s pooled registered pension plan (PRPP) and set a deadline for implementation, Quebec is being watched closely by other […]
Panellists at Benefits Canada’s Face-to-Face Drug Plan Management conference earlier this week called for rational, effective cost-cutting measures to ensure benefits plan sustainability. There was a distinct sense of urgency in the packed conference room in Toronto. “Is the pain big enough that we’re going to see some meaningful [plan] design change?” asked one attendee. […]
The need for companies to stay competitive has resulted in longer customer service hours, more atypical schedules, heavier workloads and pressure on employees to work longer hours. At the same time, many of us are struggling to meet family and social obligations. It’s becoming harder and harder to find a balance between work and home. […]
Before 2014, Harry Rosen Inc. frequently held DC plan education sessions, but these were not mandatory and therefore not well attended by employees.