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Tag Archives money

The dangers of cheap money
Columns, Features

The dangers of cheap money

Interest rates at historical lows could pose future problems for farmers

By
For farmers burdened with heavy debts, historically low interest rates can seem to be salvation. Lower payments for equipment, for land loans, for bills past due — it’s life support for financially squeezed farms and, for that matter, for most other kinds of business other than banks and other lenders, which can’t get much profit […] Read more
Why is simple so difficult?
Columns

Why is simple so difficult?

Following a consistent approach helps to simplify

By
In my former corporate life, I frequently lamented needless complexity with the refrain, “They have a never-ending ability to turn simple stuff into rocket science.” At one point, a CEO made the infamous statement that “complexity is our friend,” releasing a torrent of complexity from minions aiming to please. It is my belief that complexity […] Read more
Columns

The difference between an investment and a speculation

Speculations are often described as investments because that word has a more positive connotation

By
Differentiating between investments and speculations is more nuanced than distinguishing investments from expenses. Speculations are often inappropriately referred to as investments with the main similarity being both are purchased with the intent of profiting. The allure of speculations is their potential for quick and dramatic profit, but quick and dramatic losses are more probable. Let’s […] Read more
Why investment is one of the most overused words
Columns, News

Why investment is one of the most overused words

To be a true investment, the purchase must meet three criteria

By
Our city cousins almost unanimously believe a house is likely to be the biggest investment they will ever make. We have all heard this and many believe it to be true. Then, after purchasing a house, they often invest in renovations to increase its value, and, of course, they must invest in furniture to make […] Read more
Not only are the rules complex and professional fees potentially high, but the programs change often.
Columns

Farm Financial Planner: COVID-19 farm relief programs

Programs are blessings in bureaucratic disguise, valuable and complex

By
Federal relief programs for economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic including job losses, business interruption, nonpayment of wages, unemployment and illness are being addressed by a web of federal and provincial programs. Farmers can benefit from several plans, provided they can document losses and, in some cases, pay back some part of subsidies. What […] Read more
Growth stocks have outperformed value by a wide margin … but will it last?
Columns, Markets

Growth stocks have outperformed value by a wide margin … but will it last?

Slow and steady wins the race

By
Market action this year has confounded and perplexed. Meaning, it has been pretty much business as usual, although with more exaggerated swings. The action should demonstrate more than ever that short-term market gyrations are completely unpredictable. Anyone who in late March publicly said the market would hit new records by summertime would have been promptly […] Read more
How to pass on and preserve the family farm and generate retirement income
Columns

How to pass on and preserve the family farm and generate retirement income

A couple puts an equitable plan in place for their children, only one of whom will continue to farm

By
A couple we’ll call Harry, 53, and Martha, 50, farm 5,500 acres in Manitoba’s Interlake region. They have three children ages 19, 20 and 24. Only the eldest, who we’ll call Bruce, is interested in taking over the farm one day. The other two see their destinies in what could be called town jobs. The […] Read more
Value versus growth company valuations
Columns

Value versus growth company valuations

Being viewed as a growth versus a value stock is one reason why stock prices can be significantly more volatile than underlying earnings or cash flow

By
Companies are broadly divided into two categories: value stocks and growth stocks. Value stocks generally pay higher dividends, have slower growth rates and sell for lower valuations based on traditional metrics like earnings yield (the inverse of the more popular but less easily understood price/earnings ratio), cash flow yield and price-to-book ratios. Growth stocks exhibit […] Read more
Retirement income and inheritances
Columns

Retirement income and inheritances

How to create a retirement plan and leave a legacy for your children

By
In central Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Jack, 57, and Susie, 54, have found themselves in a crisis. The couple left active farming and now rent their land to a neighbour. Sixteen years ago, Jack got a city job and sold 480 acres of the farm, half its original 960 acres, to pay debts and […] Read more
Money held in mutual funds dwarfs the rapidly growing exchange-traded funds industry.
Columns

Utilizing exchange-traded funds in an investment portfolio

Buy broad indexes and hold for long periods of time

By
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) came into existence in the 1990s in response to the high fees of the mutual fund industry. They provide broad diversification and are traded like stocks. The original premise of ETFs is because the vast majority of mutual fund managers fail to outperform the market, it’s best to simply invest in the […] Read more

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