One of the most important principles of sound investment management is staying on top of what’s happening in the world and how those events affect finances. Conditions change quickly, and keeping up-to-date on developments and trends can be challenging. The team of experts producing IWB have been advising Canadian investors for over 25 years.
Edited and Published by Gordon Pape. Associate Editor: Richard Croft
With Gavin Graham, Ryan Irvine, Glenn Rogers, Shawn Allen, Adam Mayers, Paul Bamford & Michael Corcoran.
Recent Issues
iwb2904 (January 26, 2009)
Tough times, tough decisions… Having an RRSP is essential… Tom Slee recommends two corporate bonds … TFSAs vs. RRSPs (2)… TFSA swaps… Funds for RRSPs… Your Questions: Bond funds… Members’ Corner: The budget, TFSAs vs. RRSPs… TFSA seminar… Canada a.m.
iwb2903 (January 19, 2009)
More budget ideas… Glenn Rogers likes junk bonds and shippers… Glenn Rogers updates L-3, Broadcom… TFSAs vs. RRSPs (1)… Free TFSA seminar… Energy updates: Claymore ETF, Suncor, Bronco… Members’ Corner: The federal budget… Your Questions: Investing strategies
iwb2902 (January 12, 2009)
A budget wish-list… Tom Slee foresees a better year ahead… Buy Emera Inc…. Tom Slee updates CFS and CFS.PR.A… TFSAs: A capital gains strategy… Your Questions: More predictions please… MoneyLetter relationship ends… Findependence Day… Wine trip of a lifetime… House Cleaning
iwb2901 (January 5, 2009)
The plan for ’09… The 2008 scorecard… Predictions past… Predictions future… Irwin Michael: Signs of stability… Irwin Michael updates Canam Group, Polaris Minerals, George Weston… TFSAs: Great idea, terrible timing… TFSA book off the press
Recent Updates
Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX, NYSE: BNS)
Scotiabank is the most internationally diversified of the major Canadian banks, with over 30% of its assets coming from its overseas operations, primarily what the bank describes as the three Pacific Alliance countries of Mexico, Peru, and Chile. It sold its subscale operations in Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica to bank Davivienda in the first quarter in exchange for a 20% stake in Davivienda, taking a $1.4 billion impairment charge on the sale. Scotiabank has strengths in mortgage and corporate lending and wealth management and is usually the lowest cost operator amongst the major banks.
Buy
RBC Group (TSX, NYSE: RY)
RBC is the largest bank in Canada, with 23% market share after the acquisition of HSBC’s Canadian operations in late 2024. It has strengths in retail banking, investment banking, and asset management plus the largest share of mortgages and corporate lending in Canada.
Buy
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE)
Pfizer is a leading international pharmaceutical company that can trace its history back more than 170 years. Its business units include Oncology, Inflammation & Immunology, Rare Disease, Hospital, Vaccines, and Internal Medicine. Pfizer was the first company (along with partner BioNTech) to have a Covid vaccine approved for general use. It has proven to be highly effective with minimal side effects. The company has also developed a drug to treat the virus.
Hold
Winpak Ltd. (TSX: WPK, OTC: WIPKF)
Winpak produces goods that are mainly used in the food and beverage and healthcare industries. Its modified atmosphere packaging is used to extend the shelf life of perishable products such as meat, poultry, and cheese as well as healthcare products. The majority of its sales are in North America.
Buy
Cameco Corp. (TSX: CCO, NYSE: CCJ)
Cameco is one of the world’s largest uranium producers, with mines at McArthur River and Cigar Lake in Saskatchewan and refineries in Ontario. As governments and investors have become more favourably inclined towards non-carbon emitting sources of baseload power such as nuclear in recent years, Cameco’s fortunes and its share price have revived.