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

19 Aug

Maintaining Balance in Your Portfolio

How have you reacted to the markets of late? In uncertain times, it may be tempting to take a conservative approach to protect investments from the downside.
Selling all of your stocks and holding cash is one alternative, though not practical for many investors. The potential capital gains tax consequences may be one reason this would be unpalatable. But more importantly, equity markets are largely unpredictable and cyclical in nature. The risk of being out of stocks is, over the […]

By Carly Broetz, BBA, 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

11 Aug

Estate Planning and the Will: Legal Doesn’t Mean Effective

In light of COVID-19, many people have turned their minds to their estate plans.1 One news report indicated that a Canadian online will-creation site saw an increase in sales of 700 percent from the same period last year.2
A will is the cornerstone of any estate plan, and creating one on your own is not difficult these days using the support of a will kit or online tool. However, there may be good reasons why more thoughtful planning can be […]

By Carly Broetz, BBA, 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

02 Jul

During Uncertain Times: Avoid These Investing Mistakes

Uncertain times often highlight the mistakes that investors can make with their portfolios. During buoyant markets, making money may not seem difficult. However, the reckoning often comes when markets turn down. Suddenly, mistakes can become glaringly apparent.
Here are some of the more common investing errors:
Overlooking Diversification
The concentration of assets in too few areas can be a common problem. Despite the broad-based market declines we have recently experienced, certain sectors have performed very differently. Some technology companies have outperformed as […]

By Carly Broetz, BBA, 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

Gradually re-opening our office during Phase 2 of BC's Restart Plan

15 May

Phase Two of BC’s Restart Plan: Gradually Re-Opening our Office

Starting Tuesday May 19th, we are gradually re-opening our office. The health of our clients, couriers, staff and advisors, and our families are of the utmost importance. We are taking measures to align with the protocols set by the Provincial Medical Officer, in Phase Two of BC’s Restart Plan.
It is important to note that while we will be open, we are still respecting Social Distancing rules. In addition:

We prefer to run meetings through phone or video conference, unless it’s imperative the meeting be in […]

By Precision Wealth Management