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Dividend Income Milestone I

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:37:28 GMT

Today when I increased my common equity position in Sunlife Financial (SLF) in my Dividend Growth Portfolio (DivG) I achieved a targeted milestone for dividend income in that portfolio. Late 2009 and early 2009 were full of opportunity for investors with the dedication, discipline and focus for long-term investing. I was fortunate enough to successfully initiate a leveraged dividend strategy in my Canadian portfolio as well as make some very disciplined purchases of depressed investments when the market was full of panic and fear.[More...]

Has The Insurance Industry Finally Turned The Corner?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:07:00 GMT

There are not many companies whose fortunes are as closely tied to the stock market as those in the insurance industry. When the market is climbing,[More...]

Inside My Dividend Dream

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:49:00 GMT

In my previous post I introduced my Dividend Dream and gave better insight into the topic of Enduring Value that I’ve adapted to create a long-term investing approach focused on value and dividends. This post will look inside my decision criteria for this group of stocks, what companies comprise the DivG portfolio and what decisions I made on how to construct and organize the portfolio. To review the current organization of my portfolios: Short-term Cash/Savings comprise 17.5% of my invested assets and is held in a high interest savings account. RSP includes only Canadian bonds, international ETF’s, US equities and ADR’s of international companies. This maximizes the efficiency of[More...]

A Look At Canada's Top 4 Financial Services And Insurance Companies

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:48:00 GMT

Last week we took a glance at the big 4 Canadian banks and their current divined yields, so I figured that I would continue on this and take a look at our top 4 financial services / insurance companies. Yesterday we had a little bit of a rally in the Canadian markets, due to some strength in resource stocks, but unfortunately the bear decided to prove its strength and took hold of todays momentum once again. Just like last week I thought I'd take two metrics into consideration for todays chart. The first and most important one, is the Dividend Yield and the second is the Payout Ratio which I feel is a good indication if future dividend increases are feasible. The 4 stocks that we will be looking at today are [More...]

Current Crisis – What I've Done:

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:27:00 GMT

I want to make a public disclosure to readers and investing peers.Over the past two and a half years my Value Portfolio has enjoyed some considerable gains and as of September 2008 it had boasted a CAGR of over 60% since inception. I spend a considerable amount of time studying stocks, running screens and enjoyed myself thoroughly throughout this experience as I wanted to see if I could commit an investing strategy from paper to real life and I succeed. Not all my stocks were winners, but I protected myself from losses and took advantage of opportunities when they appeared.Over the past two weeks I have liquidated my holdings in the Value Portfolio even though YTD my return was well above 40%. The simple explanation I can provide is that when I put ego[More...]

I wish i had Bought these

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:27:00 GMT

A reader left a comment on my last post, the credit crisis of 2008, "How about a post like " this is what I wish I could buy now". I'm always a sucker for requests like this because I like thinking about which companies I should buy when the market is dow[More...]

Taking Stock in IGM, Part IV

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:22:00 GMT

Determining Valuation – Comparing, Analyzing & the Dividend Discount ModelDownload PDFDownload Excel PDFNow that we’ve gone through the first three steps of my stock analysis process our next job is to put the numbers together, compare & analyze the data and then determine a valuation that represents a fair value (per share) that as a shareholder we would be willing to[More...]

Added more Sun Life to Portfolio

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:52:00 GMT

The nice thing about being a long term investor that focuses on dividends and dividend growth is that when stock prices go down yields go up. Canadian financial services firm Sun Life Financial (SLF) offered up a dividend yield of 3.7% this past week as the stock was sold off further after a negative earnings report due to U.S. operation weakness. The analyst downgrades, including Credit Suisse, also came right on cue which encouraged more selling. When the smoke cleared toward the closing bell Friday I had to add to my position to lower my cost base. This was just too tempting to pass up:As far as I can see, 3.7% is the highest this stock has ever yielded in its historyEarnings were up 6% in their Canadian operations within a tough marketThe stock traded at these levels in late 2004 when the trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS) was $2.88; trailing EPS is now $3.83[More...]

more Sun Life

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:13:56 GMT

Today I added to my position in the financial services firm, Sun Life Financial (SLF). For my thoughts on Sun Life have a look at my Sun Life Financial purchase post, which I put up on this blog when I initiated my position about one year ago. Back then S[More...]

Friday Stock Screens: Shield of Yield

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:33:55 GMT

As discussed in Chapter 2 of The Disciplined Investor, stock screens can be used effectively to help search for stocks that can help to provide downside protection while positioning a portfolio for the upturn if /when markets stabilize. The fact is that t[More...]

Sun Life Financial and National Bank of Canada: strategic partners to give clients more financial options

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:47:00 GMT

TORONTO and MONTREAL, Nov. 12 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial and National Bank today announced they are forming a strategic partnership that will give Sun Life Financial advisors access to a wide range of National Bank lending products for clients, including National Bank's award-winning "All-In-One" account.
"Access to these National Bank products, along with Sun Life Financial's industry-leading life insurance, health insurance and wealth management products, positions our advisors to continue to meet the complex financial needs of Canadians."
"This exciting partnership with Sun Life is a great example of National Bank's strategy to further its expansion in select markets through strategic alliances.

[More...]

Survey: Lengthy recovery results in pessimism

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:50:00 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa - The stock market's moving up and some economists are declaring an end to the recession.
A new national survey says the reality has sunk in that true financial recovery for most people won't come soon.
The survey by Sun Life Financial Inc. shows 77 percent of adults between 18 and 66 say they're cutting spending, that's a 10 percent increase from a similar survey completed earlier this year.

[More...]

Sun Life Financial Study Finds Canadians Have Tightened Purse Strings in 2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:08:00 GMT

However, Unretirement(TM) Index finds economy hasn't put a damper on
TORONTO, Oct. 22 /CNW/ - Canadians are facing the economic downturn with resolve and have changed their spending habits as a result, according to the second edition of the Sun Life Financial Canadian Unretirement(TM) Index.
"In December 2008 we saw that many Canadian workers were conflicted about their retirement prospects, but now, almost a year later, there's an increased confidence in their ability to save enough for certain things like basic living and medical expenses," said Dean Connor, President, Sun Life Financial Canada.

[More...]

Sun Life Financial Appoints Colm Freyne As Chief Financial Officer

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:48:00 GMT

TORONTO, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX/NYSE: SLF) announces the appointment of Colm Freyne as Executive Vice- President and Chief Financial Officer.
He has been Sun Life's Acting Chief Financial Officer since July 1, 2009.
Donald A. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial said, "Colm is a well-respected leader with three decades of international financial services experience.

[More...]

IBM to Provide Procurement Outsourcing Services for Korea Exchange Bank

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:54:00 GMT

IBM has won a five-year contract from foreign exchange bank Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to provide a range of enterprise strategic sourcing and procurement services.
IBM will run KEB's overall sourcing and procurement operations end-to-end, covering areas of IT, marketing, services, facilities and supplies.
Hakdong Kang, business development executive of Managed Business Process Service at IBM Korea, said: "We are pleased to bring our collaboration with Korea Exchange Bank to a new level with the strategic outsourcing agreement.

[More...]

Lincoln Nat'L Selling Dela. Investments for $428M

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:49:00 GMT

Aug. 19--Shares of Lincoln National Corp. rose today after an Australian financial services firm agreed to buy Lincoln's asset-management unit, Delaware Investments, for $428 million in cash.
In another sign of tough economic times, Radnor-based Lincoln National, which markets itself as Lincoln Financial Group, agreed to sell Delaware Investments to Sydney-based Macquarie Group Ltd. in order to focus on its core insurance and retirement businesses.
Delaware Investments will remain based in Philadelphia.

[More...]

Sun Life Financial Announces Expansion of MFS Investment Management

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:50:00 GMT

Client Interest Spurs Growth
TORONTO, July 22 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. has announced a broad expansion of its MFS Investment Management unit's global investment and distribution platforms in response to significant growth of client interest in MFS' products and services.
MFS has experienced strong net sales growth in 2009, reflecting the solid relative performance of its investment line-up along with its extensive global distribution capabilities.

[More...]

Gold Participation and Income Fund Announces Exchange Ratios

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:51:00 GMT

TORONTO, July 20 /CNW/ - Gold Participation and Income Fund (the "Fund"), a closed-end investment trust designed to provide investors with Canadian-dollar exposure to the long-term performance of gold bullion and gold equity securities while providing a monthly distribution stream and mitigating downside risk, is pleased to announce the exchange ratios for the Fund's exchange option (the "Exchange Option") with respect to its initial public offering.
Under the Exchange Option, prospective purchasers had the opportunity to exchange Shares of SPDR Gold Trust and freely- tradeable listed securities of issuers in the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index or the S&P/TSX 60 Index (collectively, "Exchange Securities") for Combined Units of the Fund (each Combined Unit consisting of one Unit of the Fund and one Warrant for one Unit).
Under the Exchange Option, the number of Combined Units issuable in exchange for Exchange Securities deposited by prospective purchasers was determined by dividing the weighted average trading price of the Exchange Securities on the Toronto Stock Exchange, The New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market, as the case may be, during the three consecutive trading days ending on July 17, 2009, as adjusted to reflect dividends declared or distributions pending which will not be received by the Fund (such adjusted trading price being the "Exchange Price") by $12.00 (being the issue price of a Combined Unit).

[More...]

Lincoln Financial to Seek $950 Million in TARP Aid

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:48:00 GMT

Jun. 16--Underscoring the rough times that have befallen the insurance industry, Radnor-based Lincoln Financial Group said yesterday that it would seek up to $950 million from a federal bailout program as part of a plan to raise more than $2 billion.
The rest of the capital plan involves the insurance company's sale of $600 million in common shares, with a 30-day option for underwriters to purchase up to an additional 15 percent, or $90 million, in stock.
Lincoln also aims to issue $500 million in senior debt.

[More...]

Lincoln Financial to Seek $950 Million in TARP Aid

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:04:00 GMT

Jun. 16--Underscoring the rough times that have befallen the insurance industry, Radnor-based Lincoln Financial Group said yesterday that it would seek up to $950 million from a federal bailout program as part of a plan to raise more than $2 billion.
The rest of the capital plan involves the insurance company's sale of $600 million in common shares, with a 30-day option for underwriters to purchase up to an additional 15 percent, or $90 million, in stock.
Lincoln also aims to issue $500 million in senior debt.

[More...]

National Bank Releases its Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2009 Results

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:46:00 GMT

National Bank Financial Group (TSX: NA)
This press release provides unaudited financial information and should be read in conjunction with the supplementary financial information and the analyst and investor presentation available on the Bank's website at www.nbc.ca.
Additional information about National Bank of Canada, including the Annual Information Form, can be obtained from the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and the Bank's website at www.nbc.ca.

[More...]

Sun Life Financial Unretirement Index Reveals 65 Percent of US Workers Now Expect to Delay Retirement

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:08:00 GMT

The U.S. division of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF, TSX:SLF) today released the latest edition of its UnretirementSM Index, which reveals 65 percent of American workers will delay their retirement by at least one year -- an 11 percent increase since the end of 2008.
The third release of Sun Life's biannual Index gauges how economic, financial, and societal forces affect working Americans, and forecasts their future retirement decisions that will impact individuals, the government, employers and the larger economy.
Sun Life's current research also shows more Americans plan to remain in the workforce past the traditional retirement age of 67.

[More...]

La Financiere Sun Life se distingue en donnant aux Canadiens la force d'agir

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:10:00 GMT

La Financiere Sun Life recoit 15 prix de l'I.F.C.A., dont le "Best of Show" TORONTO, le 26 aout /CNW/ - Un bulletin pour les participants qui se base sur les questions recues au centre d'appels, un site Web et un blogue sur l'economie actuelle, un outil concu pour aider les conseillers a parler de la planification de la retraite... ce ne sont la que quelques-unes des initiatives de la Sun Life qui se sont distinguees au concours annuel 2009 de l'Insurance and Financial Communicators Association (I.F.C.A.).[More...]

Empowering Canadians earns Sun Life Financial top honours

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:10:00 GMT

Sun Life Financial receives 15 I.F.C.A. awards including Best of Show TORONTO, Aug. 26 /CNW/ - A plan member newsletter based on call centre feedback; a website and financial blog focused on today's economy; and a tool to help advisors communicate the value of retirement planning are just some of the Sun Life initiatives recognized at the Insurance and Financial Communicators Association (I.F.C.A.) 2009 Annual Awards Competition.[More...]

Sun Life Financial Becomes First Variable Annuity Carrier to Offer PIMCO VIT Global Multi-Asset Portfolio As Investment Option

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:49:00 GMT

The U.S. division of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE: SLF, TSX: SLF) today introduced a new investment choice for its Masters variable annuity (VA) customers, becoming the first VA carrier to offer the PIMCO VIT Global Multi-Asset Portfolio.
"As part of our ongoing effort to bring our customers an enhanced choice of funds for their variable annuities, Sun Life is proud to be the first VA carrier to offer the PIMCO VIT Global Multi-Asset Portfolio," said Steve Deschenes, SVP and GM, Annuities.
"By offering a broad range of investment options and strong product line backed by Sun Life's financial strength, we are successfully helping financial advisors and their clients fulfill their retirement income needs."

[More...]

Sun Life Financial to Launch National Marketing, Branding Campaign; Names The Martin Agency as Ad Agency of Record

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:01:00 GMT

The U.S. division of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF, TSX:SLF) today announced it will launch its first branding and marketing campaign aimed at a national U.S. audience. The campaign, which will launch in the fourth quarter of this year, will include corporate sponsorships and comprise broadcast, print and online outreach.[More...]

Sun Life Financial Announces Major Sponsorship with Cirque du Soleil

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:26:00 GMT

The U.S. division of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE: SLF, TSX: SLF) today announced an exciting new partnership with Cirque du Soleil®, the world-renowned artistic entertainment organization. Sun Life has become the Official Insurance Partner of Cirque du Soleil U.S. Big Top Touring Shows, U.S. Arena Touring Shows, and the Presenting Partner of a major new Cirque du Soleil U.S. show to be announced next month. This sponsorship is the first in a series of announcements comprising a new, national branding campaign for Sun Life Financial in the United States.[More...]