Think Smart with TMFG

Episode 269: How Much of Your Portfolio Should Be in Canadian Stocks?

Welcome to Think Smart with TMFG, your go-to podcast for newsworthy and relevant financial insights for everyday Canadians. Hosted by Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon of Assante Capital Management, this episode dives into an important question: How much of your portfolio should be invested in the Canadian stock market?

Rob and Mike explore a recent study by Vanguard that reveals Canadians are significantly overweight in domestic holdings. They break down the implications of having 50% of a portfolio in Canadian equities when Canada represents only 2.6% of the global stock market.

The discussion covers the historical context, the impact of limited diversification, and the risks associated with being overly concentrated in Canadian stocks. They also compare the performance of Canadian equities against global markets over the past decade, emphasizing the benefits of a diversified portfolio.

Learn what major pension plans are doing and get expert advice on balancing your portfolio with a reasonable allocation to Canadian stocks. Rob and Mike provide actionable insights on regular rebalancing and the importance of reflecting global diversity in your investments.

Tune in to understand why diversification is considered the 'free lunch' of investing and how it can help reduce risk and potentially improve returns. Don’t miss out on this informative episode that could reshape your investment strategy!

Episode 268: The Unyielding Power of the U.S. Dollar and Stock Market

In this episode of "Think Smart with TMFG," Rob and Mike delve into the enduring strength of the U.S. Dollar and the U.S. stock market, exploring why they remain premier choices for investment portfolios. They reflect on past economic crises, like the 2008 financial meltdown, and discuss the resilience and growth of the U.S. economy in contrast to other global markets.

The episode examines the historical dominance of the U.S. stock market, its technological advancements, robust military, immigration appeal, and diverse economy. Rob and Mike also discuss the importance of a strong monetary policy and labor market in maintaining economic stability.

As they compare the U.S. with other nations, they highlight the advantages of investing in U.S. equities and bonds, emphasizing the security and growth potential they offer. Tune in to understand why betting on the U.S. has historically been sound advice and how it continues to shape investment strategies today.

Episode 267: Avoiding the Top 3 Investment Pitfalls

Welcome to this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, your go-to podcast for newsworthy insights relevant to everyday Canadians. Hosted by Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon of Assante Capital Management, this episode delves into the top three most common investment mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Timing the Market: Discover why trying to time the market can be costly, and learn about the evidence-based strategies that can help you stay invested for the long term.

2. Focusing on Headlines: Understand the pitfalls of making investment decisions based on sensational headlines and why a globally diversified portfolio with low fees is smarter.

3. Chasing Past Performance: Explore the dangers of investing in top-performing mutual funds based on past performance and why this strategy rarely pays off in the long run.

Tune in to gain valuable insights to help you avoid these common investment mistakes and secure a successful financial future.

Episode 266: The Perils and Promises of Private Equity

In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon of Assante Capital Management delve into the intriguing world of private equity. Drawing insights from a recent Globe and Mail opinion piece by Mike Wahlberg, the duo explores the burgeoning interest in private equity investments among Canadians.

The discussion highlights the key challenges of private equity, such as liquidity issues, and contrasts these with the potential advantages, including higher returns and operational independence from shareholder pressures. Real-life examples from Rob's own private equity experiences provide a grounded perspective on the risks and rewards involved.

Whether you’re an individual investor or managing a pension plan, this episode offers valuable insights into when private equity might make sense—and when it might not. Tune in to understand why staying liquid could be the smarter move for your investment portfolio.

Episode 265: The Ripple Effect of Interest Rate Cuts

Welcome to Think Smart with TMFG, your weekly podcast on what's newsworthy and relevant to everyday Canadians. Join Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon of Assante Capital Management as they discuss the recent interest rate cut of 0.25%.

After an 18-month wait, the much-anticipated rate reduction is here. Rob and Mike explore why this small change has significant implications, from controlling inflation to its impact on the housing market, stock market, bond market, and the Canadian dollar.

They discuss the government's difficult position in managing inflation and debt and the reaction of financial markets and offer insights on what investors and homeowners should consider during these volatile times.

Tune in to understand the complexities of interest rate changes and how they affect the broader economy. Visit tmfg.ca to speak to a financial advisor.

Episode 264: Top 10 Investment Mistakes

Welcome to another episode of Think Smart with TMFG, your go-to podcast for what's newsworthy and relevant to everyday Canadians. Join Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon of Assante Capital Management as they delve into the top 10 investment mistakes.

In this episode, Rob and Mike discuss the pitfalls of concentrated positions, timing the market, lack of diversification, and more. Using real-life examples and expert insights, they highlight the risks and offer practical advice to help you avoid these common financial missteps. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable information to help you make smarter investment decisions.

Don't miss out on this essential guide to safeguarding your financial future. Tune in now!

Episode 263: Overcoming Resistance - Key to Successful Financial Planning

Welcome to another episode of "Think Smart with TMFG," your weekly dose of relevant financial insights for everyday Canadians. In this episode, Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon from Assante Capital Management discuss the theme "Resistance is the Enemy." They explore how resistance to change can hinder successful financial planning and investing.

Drawing inspiration from Steven Pressfield's book, "The Daily Pressfield," they delve into the top ten resistances faced by their clients over the last decade. From increasing savings and letting go of old investments to consolidating accounts and keeping wills updated, Rob and Mike provide practical advice on overcoming these barriers. They also highlight the importance of regular account reviews, rebalancing portfolios, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage.

Tune in to discover how pushing through resistance can lead to a more secure and prosperous financial future. Don't miss this insightful discussion that aims to help you achieve your long-term financial goals.

Join us on "Think Smart with TMFG" and start overcoming resistance today!

Episode 262: Unveiling the S&P 500: A Deep Dive into Its Relation with the US Economy

Welcome to another episode of Think Smart with TMFG, your go-to podcast for newsworthy insights relevant to Canadians. Join Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon from Asante Capital Management as they delve into the intriguing dynamics between the S&P 500 and the US economy.

In this episode, Rob and Mike explore whether investing solely in the S&P 500 is wise. They discuss the index's evolution, composition, and growth to represent a significant portion of the global marketplace. The conversation sheds light on the concentration of wealth within the top 10 companies and the impact this has on the index's performance.

The hosts also examine the disparity between the S&P 500 and the broader US economy, emphasizing that while the index includes some of the largest global companies, it does not fully capture the diverse economic landscape. They reveal surprising statistics about privately owned companies and the role of small to medium-sized enterprises in job creation.

Tune in to understand the importance of diversification and why relying solely on the S&P 500 may not be the best approach for your investment portfolio. This episode contains valuable insights to help you make informed financial decisions.

Thank you for joining us on Think Smart with TMFG. We wish you a happy and prosperous retirement.

Episode 261: Do the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share in Taxes?

Welcome to this week's episode of Think Smart with TMFG, your go-to podcast for newsworthy and relevant discussions for everyday Canadians. Join Senior Financial Advisor Rob McClelland and Mike Connon of Assante Capital Management as they delve into the controversial topic of whether wealthy individuals in Canada are paying enough income tax.

Inspired by a Globe and Mail opinion piece, Rob and Mike explore the recent government proposals to increase the capital inclusion rate from 50% to 67%, and its potential impact on individuals and corporations. They break down the tax contributions of various income groups, from the top 0.01% to the top 10%, and discuss the broader implications for the Canadian economy, including inflation, unemployment, and charitable contributions.

Don't miss this insightful analysis of the complexities of tax policies and their far-reaching effects. Tune in and learn how these changes could affect you and the Canadian financial landscape.

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Episode 260: The Future Of Real Estate

Join hosts Rob McClelland and Mike Connon in this enlightening episode of Think Smart with TMFG. This week, we delve deep into the future of real estate in Canada. It's no secret that real estate has been a hot topic in the country, with government initiatives targeted at making it more affordable and accommodating the increasing demand.

We'll uncover the implications of these initiatives, like the potential for creating an oversupply of real estate in a bid to bring down prices. You'll learn about the pressures on current property prices, high interest rates, unaffordability for a significant slice of Canadians, and the effect of the influx of immigrants every year, many of whom aim to own a home in Canada.

The episode also tackles real estate investment. Are the returns worth the investment? Are the rental rates in Toronto, especially for condos, profitable in the long run? Our hosts critically examine these questions and more. Want to know more about the impact of new homes on the real estate market and the consequences of HST on property purchases? This episode has all the details.