HighView Blog

A few weeks ago, I resurfaced my arguments against concluding that Canadian mutual fund costs exceed those of all other developed countries.  This is turning into one of those perpetual debates.  And while the industry – i.e. IFIC –...

In 2001, I invested in a gold closed-end fund and held it for 4-5 years.  My rationale was based partly on what was then a low gold price and on this particular closed-end fund’s hefty 30% discount to net asset value.  Since I sold the...

In our asset management work with clients, we continually stress the importance for them of having what we term, “a prudent division of professional duties”.  By this, we mean it’s in a client’s best interest if each of the...

Yesterday’s Globe & Mail featured an article by U.S. equity manager Larry Sarbit making the case to invest in U.S. stocks now.  He cited his 70% invested position (compared to 10% – 20% a few years ago) to illustrate his...

A few years ago, a research paper by three academics claimed that Canadian mutual funds levied higher average fees than funds in seventeen other countries.  Since average Canadian fund fees are high, the media jumped all over this research...

The Globe & Mail’s latest mutual fund number cruncher focuses on the top-performing Canadian Equity funds for the ten years ending June 30, 2010.  Quantitative screens like this can be illustrative.  As I read that Mackenzie Saxon Stock...

In this morning’s Globe & Mail, I gave an overview of investors’ three main options for bond (or bond-like) exposure in taxable accounts.  It seems at least two preferred share funds escaped my radar.  I’d also like to touch...

Many financial advisors say that I harp too much on fees.  Many investors (and investor advocates) say that I’m not tough enough on fund fees.  Sometimes, I just can’t win.  But nowhere are fees more important than in the selection...