18 Sep

What Happens After a Bear Market?

We have encountered many new situations in response to COVID-19 — isolation, physical distancing, economic closures globally, and others — that have created uncertainties for the short term. Doomsayers cite these factors, and others, to suggest that this time is different and the current economic downturn will somehow last forever. However, economic cycles go up as well as down.
Equity markets are also cyclical. Bear markets happen from time to time. Yet, even in the worst situations, equity markets have […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

Scientists and Health Professionals study COVID-19

01 Sep

It’s Not Just About the Antibodies

Through many conversations with different individuals we’ve heard more than once that people feel they had, and lived through, COVID-19, stating it’s the worst they’ve ever felt. Some have, and some haven’t been tested, and it makes you wonder if COVID-19 was here earlier than we thought. Some research states that we build antibodies that help fight off the disease, but these antibodies only last for a certain period, leaving people susceptible to contracting the disease again later in time.
As we continue to get barraged with negative news […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

24 Aug

Consider the Benefits of Dollar-Cost Averaging

As we have seen with recent equity market reactions, short-term price movements are often unpredictable and nobody can be certain when the next upturn will begin. Such turns can occur when the outlook is bleak and the natural inclination may be to sell, not buy. In hindsight, all down markets look like buying opportunities. But in the moment, it’s not always easy to commit money to an investment that has gone down in price, particularly in a bear market.
Those investors who […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

13 Aug

The End of the Office Era? Keep Good Records

Is the office era over? For many office workers, working from home became the new normal this spring. As such, some may be wondering if they are able to claim a tax deduction for home office expenses.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) currently allows for a deduction in instances in which one of the following conditions is met:

The workspace is where you mainly do your work (more than 50 per cent of the time); or
You use the workspace only to […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

24 Jul

The Increasing Rate of Change

It has been said, “there are decades where nothing seems to happen and then there are weeks where decades happen.” This spring was no exception. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced change that has occurred at unprecedented speeds, including physical distancing, home isolation, and the voluntary shut down of economies. This led to equally unprecedented reactions: oil futures prices falling to negative levels and rebounding, entire industries being shut down, and record unemployment levels.
Equity markets reacted in a […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

10 Jun

What is the Economic Path Forward?

It may be difficult to remember, but it was only months ago that we were in the midst of the longest economic expansion in history. How quickly things have changed. As a result, many investors are asking: what is the economic path forward?
Beyond the terrible health consequences of the pandemic, the short-term economic effects have been equally extraordinary. We have seen individuals, companies, and industries affected in adverse ways. COVID-19 has also helped to accelerate certain existing economic and […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

20 May

Saving Tax is a Year-Round Exercise

Spring is the time when taxes are top of mind as personal income tax returns are due. Did you take action to reduce your tax bill in 2019? Perhaps you can do better this year. Here are four ways to help minimize payables to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):

“Reduce” Your Refund — If you receive a tax refund from the CRA on a regular basis, this shouldn’t be a cause for celebration. You’re effectively providing an interest-free loan to […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

03 Apr

Finding Activities during Social Distancing

A message from Christopher Briggs, Wealth Advisor and Managing Director on behalf of the Precision Wealth Management Team.
One thing is for certain, the novel COVID-19 has redrafted the way we live for the foreseeable future. There is no more of the hustle and bustle we’ve all become so used to.

No more early morning commute to work, or late nights at the office. No more driving kids to school. No more picking them up and going to the social centre or dance hall for after-school activities. No more […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

26 Feb

The Year Ahead: More Stimulus Efforts?

As we start a new decade, with the prevailing theme of slower global economic growth, many investors are asking: what lies ahead? Hong Kong has fallen into recession, while various European countries have been struggling with declining growth. Even China, the hub of global growth over recent decades, is experiencing slower growth.
Canada continues its longest economic expansion on record. Largely due to a strong labour market, the Canadian economy has recently been supported by consumer spending as well as […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor

04 Feb

Segregated Funds for Retirement and Estate Planning

Did you know that segregated funds may play a valuable role in both retirement and estate planning?
For conservative investors planning for retirement, they offer the security of having a guarantee of principal on the investment. Given low interest rates, segregated funds have the potential to offer higher returns than those achieved through traditional fixed income investments like Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs). As part of a diversified portfolio, certain segregated funds may provide the prospect of having a predictable income […]

By Christopher Briggs, RRC®, Wealth Advisor