Japan continues to overcome its challenges

The Japanese economy ranks third in the world and hosts some of the most-profitable global corporations.
The economy is, however, facing a declining and rapidly aging population. (See box next page.) Still, an older population also presents opportunities, and Japanese companies are already coming up with… Read More

Japan offers investors a bright future

The Japanese economy ranks third in the world and hosts some of the most-profitable global corporations.
The economy is, however, facing a declining and rapidly aging population. Still, an older population also presents opportunities, and Japanese companies are already coming up with innovative and technology-driven aids… Read More

Japan: Poised for a post-COVID-19 recovery

The Japanese economy ranks among the top 5 in the world and hosts some of the most-profitable global corporations. The economy is, however, hamstrung by a declining and rapidly aging population. Still, an older population also presents opportunities, and Japanese companies are already coming up… Read More

Cutting risk can cut emerging market gains

Some ETFs promote a “scientific” strategy designed to cut their risk without cutting their gains.
Computer modelling is such an approach sound. In our view, though, it’s likely to detract from long-term returns. That’s what happens with many funds that use a so-called “black box” to… Read More

Japan keeps overcoming its challenges

The Japanese economy ranks among the top 5 in the world and hosts some of the most profitable global corporations. The economy is, however, hamstrung by a declining and rapidly aging population. Still, an older population also present opportunities, and Japanese companies are already coming… Read More

Dear Pat and team: I have a numbered company, with equity holdings I must sell off over four years. My accountant has advised me to sell roughly 25% of the value of its equities each year, for the next four years. Could you recommend which ones to sell in what order to account for about 25% of the total value each year? Here’s the list:

CI Canadian Bond Fund

 $ 31,286

CI Canadian Equity

 $ 73,406

CI Corporate Bond

 $ 37,783

iShares Cdn S&P/TSX60

 $ 22,640

iShares MSCI JAPAN ETF

 $ 22,640

BCE Inc.

 $ 7,592

SPDR S&P China ETF

 $ 6,783

WestJet Airlines

 $ 12,090

Cash

 $ 3,489

TOTAL Investments

 $ 217,710

A: We don’t generally recommend that investors hold mutual funds, mostly because of their higher fees.
In particular,… Read More

Hi Pat: I currently own two ETFs that I’m debating whether to sell or keep holding: the BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF and the iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan ETF. Thanks.

BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF, $23.57, symbol ZGQ on Toronto (Units outstanding: 1.4 million; Market cap: $33.0 million; www.etfs.bmo.com), aims to replicate the performance of the MSCI All Country World High Quality Index. Bank of Montreal launched the ETF on November… Read More