Blog: Cutting Through the Noise

Readers' Choice - Top Steadyhand Blog Postings of 2011

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on January 4, 2012

Another year, another 120 blog postings. We had some thoughtful, informative, helpful, useless, controversial and scathing posts last year, based on the emails and comments we received. Below is a list of our most popular posts in 2011, as...

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A Gift From Risky Markets

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on December 29, 2011

Michael Nairne, president of Tacita Capital, wrote a good piece in the Financial Post last weekend, titled A Gift From Risky Markets, which looks at historical stock market returns and valuations (dating back to 1825) and provides some perspective on the...

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A List to Santa That'll Make the Investing World a Better Place

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on December 23, 2011

I came out of the “me” generation (have I told you about my latest injury?), so even though this time of year is about giving, I’m mostly into receiving. In our household, my wife Lori goes for quantity at Christmas, while I’m all about quality. When I wrote...

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National Regulator? Bah, Humbug!

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on December 22, 2011

From today’s Globe and Mail: “Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says Canada will not move ahead with its proposed Securities Act in light of the Supreme Court of Canada's decision to declare it unconstitutional ... The Supreme Court unanimously declared the...

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Different This Time?

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on December 19, 2011

“Tom, I agree with your view on stocks, and boy, you’re so right about how negative people are, but ... I can’t help but wonder if it’s different this time.” It’s different this time. I’ve been trained to never utter these words. They’re the most dangerous four...

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The Steadyhand Holiday letter

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on December 15, 2011

Is it over yet? It was a rough year for the stock markets, as ugly economic headlines, debt problems, and political gridlock instilled fear in many investors. Bonds were once again the asset class of choice, despite their scrooge-like yields. Here at Steadyhand, we’re feeling a little merrier than the average investor – and it’s not just...

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In a World of Negatives, Search for What Could go Right

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on December 10, 2011

It’s a remarkable time to be an investor and investment professional. After decades of overspending, we’re watching Europe melt down and the American empire decline faster than anyone expected. The debt burden has accelerated the power...

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Taking Stewardship Initiative

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on December 2, 2011

As readers will know, Steadyhand has ranked highly on Morningstar's annual Stewardship Grades. That status was reinforced last night when we won the Best Stewardship Initiative Award at the Canadian Investment Awards.

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Now That's Ironic – Part II

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on November 30, 2011

While Scott finds it ironic that the low-fee fund firms come out of high-cost Vancouver, I find it equally ironic that two of the highest fee firms in the industry come out of my home town. Winnipeg, which is known as the wholesale capital of Canada...

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Year-end Distributions

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on November 28, 2011

The year-end distributions for all our funds (with the exception of the Savings Fund) will be declared on December 15th and paid on December 16th. The Savings Fund will pay its regularly-scheduled monthly distribution on December 31st. As a reminder...

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Check Your Emotions at the Border, the U.S. Looks Good

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on November 26, 2011

A year ago, I wrote a column inspired by a holiday in Arizona (my in-laws have that effect on me). The piece attempted to level a rather tilted picture of the United States, one that was firmly focused on dismal economic and political news. I suggested that from...

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Now That's Ironic

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on November 24, 2011

With the holidays around the corner, shopping is in the spotlight. It got me thinking … We’re used to high price tags on the wet coast. We’ve got the most expensive housing market in Canada (if not the world, based on some measures). A bottle of...

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