Monthly Minute

February 2021 - news & updates

This Time It’s Different!

It was 1999, and I was having lunch at a small café. I overheard someone sharing a great stock tip that he got from his friend, a friend that had gotten into trading at home just 6 months earlier but was making money “hand over fist”. It was when Nortel and JDS Uniphase stock was flying. Many ideas were trading at high prices, and yet, these same companies weren’t earning any money. I was surprised at the recommendation knowing the price was extremely escalated.

6 months later that stock was out of business, the tech bubble had burst, and many late to the floor investors lost lots of money.

Fast forward January 2021, and I’m getting the same requests to purchase stocks that are way more expensive than they would usually be, huge price swings of 300% in a few days. Everybody is starting to think it’s easy to pick stocks again. Gamestop, Blackberry, Bitcoin have seen huge price swings in the past few weeks.

However, right now, with more time on our hands for many, there are swells of groups on different platforms sharing their ideas, and many listening and considering how they can get involved. If you have the time, it can be an interesting pastime, but beware missing out on a few hours with the high-end trading can cost you.

Continue reading here...

Market Updates

Listen to Wealth Matters Market Updates with CI Investments' top portfolio managers which include an update for the Evolution portfolio. You can access the webcast recording online.

BlackRock explores the 3 themes shaping markets in 2021. Read more in the Global Outlook.

For an in-depth look at our investment strategy, read Assante's Portfolio Construction. In addition, check out this article for information on Munro's 2021 outlook.

Let Your Conscience Be Your Investment Guide: Want to invest in companies you believe in and passionate about? Impact investing can be a way to participate in the markets and maintain your personal beliefs. Remember that investing should be practical and not entirely on emotional investing

Tax Planning

Assante Year-End Statement and Tax Receipt Schedule

Strategies and tips to boost your RRSP.

As of October 2020 brokers and realtors in Ontario are able to incorporate and form a PREC (Personal Real Estate Corporation) allowing access to the IPP, a highly efficient business tax-advantaged and retirement wealth-building tool.

Passive income challenges? Contact us to learn more

Assante Evolution Private Managed Clients

Assante Clients in the Evolution Private Managed Program will be receiving a letter outlining some of the changes in the portfolio asset mix happening on March 5, 2021.

The portfolio review process ensures that your portfolio continues to be optimized – designed to maximize returns for your portfolio’s level of risk.

Some of the updates include:

• Enhancing flexibility and investment process

• Strategically increasing exposure to growth investing

• Adding new managers specializing in global, U.S., and Canadian equity and fixed income

• Introducing alternative investments

• Tweaking the global frontier and increasing foreign content limits.

If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Heath and Lifestyle

Healthy Living is even more critical when we aren't able to do our usual fun & social activities. Clients enjoyed a webinar to learn how our Bodies and Brains connect to keep us mentally and physically fit. Exercise Therapist Anne Klausner of Exercise with Care shared a few tips and you can check them out HERE.

And a few more tips to keep you moving!

10 office desk exercises to help you stay healthy

Registered Accounts

TFSA limit has been announced for 2021: $6000.

Total cumulative contribution room is now $75,500

RRSP Limits for 2020: Max $27,230

RRSP Limits for 2021: Max $27,830 or 18% of prior year's income + Cumulative RRSP past room available

TFSA or RRSP Calculator

Maximum RRSP loan: Typically up to $50,000.

Maximum Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) withdrawal: You can take up to $35,000 tax-free from a RRSP for the purchase of an eligible home for a first-time homebuyer (up to $70,000 for a couple).

Maximum Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) withdrawal: $10,000 per calendar year, and $20,000 in total for qualifying post-secondary education for you or your spouse.

Last chance to make an RRSP contribution: Dec. 31 of the year a contributor turns 71, unless they have a spouse under the age of 72. Contributions to a spousal RRSP for a spouse or common-law partner can continue until Dec. 31 of the year that spouse turns 71, subject to the contributor’s RRSP room.

What to consider if you still have RRSP contribution room?

Are you looking to set up a group RRSP? Speak to us about your options using our online investing platform, Assante Connect.

Get the APP!

We now have an app, so you can access your accounts from your phone.

Go Paperless!

We all know the importance of social distancing and we all have a part to play.

Assante InvestorOnline is designed to provide you with a secure and private communication gateway, and around-the-clock access to important information about your account. Find the Assante InvestorOnline app in the iOS App store for Apple or in Google Play for Android devices.

Secure communication: You can communicate directly with your advisor knowing that your information will be kept private and safe.

Easy to use: Easily navigate through your account balances, transaction history and reporting details at your convenience.

Go paperless: Receive important documents and statements digitally, to help preserve the environment and protect both our postal workers and you.

"In the end… We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.”

Lewis Carroll

Assante Capital Management Ltd is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

This material is provided for general information and is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to compile this material from reliable sources however no warranty can be made as to its accuracy or completeness. Before acting on any of the above, please make sure to see me for individual financial advice based on your personal circumstances. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

Insurance products and services are provided through Assante Estate and Insurance Services Inc. Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

Assante is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. ("CI"). The principal business of CI is the management, marketing, distribution and administration of mutual funds, segregated funds and other fee-earning investment products for Canadian investors through its wholly-owned subsidiary CI Investments Inc. If you invest in CI products, CI will, through its ownership of subsidiaries, earn ongoing asset management fees in accordance with applicable prospectus or other offering documents.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses, may all be associated with mutual fund investments. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the prospectus and consult your Assante Advisor before investing.