An investment in Real Estate can provide both income and capital gains to the investor. In analyzing the returns on their investment portfolio, many believe that Real Estate as an asset class has shown to be one of the most lucrative over the long term. It is often said that “You cannot lose with brick and mortar” and that the best way to accumulate wealth is through real estate. Real estate can be a great investment, but as with all asset classes, understand all costs associated and avoid overconcentration.

The first half of 2023 has witnessed a robust start to the year that sets the stage for an optimistic outlook for the second half. Despite the lingering scars from the challenges of 2022 as the U.S. Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by an aggressive 425 basis points (bps) or 4.25 percentage points to cool red-hot inflation, the market gains achieved so far in 2023 signal a promising trajectory. With a more favourable economic landscape, improved monetary policy outlook, and positive momentum, the groundwork has been laid for a potentially prosperous second half of 2023.

What is noise in the market?  In this context, noise refers to information and opinions on a company you are invested (financially or emotionally) in. It includes every tweet, post, click bait news article and blogger that is has something to say on the company you are invested in. “Noise” is usually unspecific, fails to describe a specific problem, uses sensationalist headlines, and compiles a series of facts without a clear implication, conclusion or risk identified.

The first six months of the year have passed, and the investment landscape continues to be volatile. The days of setting it and forgetting it regarding your portfolio are long over. Many people start a new year with new resolutions and financial goals. As we enter the second half of the year, now is a great time to review your investment portfolio and take steps to rebalance if necessary.

Your financial review is personal and will not be the same as others. However, there are a few key steps that any astute investor can follow to help with their assessment.

Throughout the life of a fixed income asset, the interest payment terms and schedule of payments are usually known. These are stated at the inception when the asset/investment is first being issued. The maturity date and conditions of maturity, if any, are also usually stated upfront. Investors holding fixed income assets usually are aware of the maturity dates of these investments when they first make the purchase.

Investing can be a powerful tool for wealth creation and financial security, but it requires careful consideration and informed decision-making. One crucial aspect of successful investing is understanding asset classes. Asset classes serve as the building blocks of investment portfolios, providing diversification, risk management, and potential returns. In this article, we will explore why knowing about asset classes is essential for investors looking to maximize their investment potential.

If you own a bond - you are lending money to the issuer. You are mostly concerned about the company’s ability to repay your principal and make your interest payments on time. Your perspective as a bondholder is very different to that of a stockholder. Today we highlight the differences.

Bonds and Real Estate are two unique investment options allowing you to diversify your portfolio while proving to be a relatively safer investment than stocks, cryptocurrency, and some other assets. Both bonds and real estate are steady investment options with relatively low volatility allowing you to invest worry-free while benefitting from potential capital appreciation and predictable income.

Bonds Investment and Benefits

One of the most confusing components of “bond math” is the pricing. Like most assets – the price is a major determinant of your total return. Today we look at the pricing of fixed income instruments and how your total return is calculated. We present several concepts that are simplified for brevity and all examples use a fixed rate security.