Articles & Resources
Pension & RRSP Transfers: When to Seek Expert Advice
Maximize your retirement savings by understanding RRSP and pension transfers. Learn when to seek expert advice for tax optimization and secure future planning.
Monthly Market Review February 2025
Following a strong beginning to 2025, February saw a decline in the narrative of US exceptionalism. Increasing doubts about the impact of the US administration's policy agenda negatively influenced both corporate and consumer sentiment, leading to renewed concerns...
Estate Planning for Business Owners: Succession Planning and Beyond
For business owners, estate planning is more than just drafting a will—it’s about ensuring a seamless transition of leadership, protecting assets, and securing long-term financial stability for both the business and personal estate. Without a well-structured...
Monthly Market Review January 2025
The start of the year has shown promise, with both equities and bonds ending the month with positive returns. The major equity indices saw Europe leading the way, gaining 7.1%, outpacing Canada at 3.5%, and the US, ending up 2.8%. Value stocks in the US also...
Retirement Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals: Maximizing Your Golden Years
Discover advanced retirement planning tactics for high-net-worth individuals. Learn ways to optimize taxes, preserve wealth, and secure your legacy.
Review of markets over 2024 and Outlook For 2025
2024 was an impressive year for risk assets, with North American Equities leading the charge. Continued US strength and election results helped the S&P 500 deliver total returns of 25.62% and 30.79% for the Nasdaq Composite. Canadian Markets were sluggish in the...
Monthly Market Review Nov 2024
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the financial markets in November 2024, including strong equity performance, steady bond returns, and more.
Investing Wisely: Choosing Between a Portfolio Manager & a Financial Advisor
Discover the key differences between portfolio managers & financial advisors, from fiduciary duty to fee structures, to find the right expert for your financial goals.
Maximize Your Wealth: Strategic Investment Options for Physicians Beyond RRSPs and TFSAs
Physicians may have the capital to explore investment options beyond RRSPs & TFSAs. Here are options to diversify your financial portfolio beyond registered accounts.
Economic Impacts of the US Election Results
The results of the US election on November 5 saw Trump and the Republican party take a landslide win against the Democrats and Kamala Harris. The Republicans also gained control of the Senate and have a current sizable lead in retaining control of the House of...
What Are Alternative Investments? Exploring Your Options
Investing can take you in unique directions when you look beyond stocks, bonds, and cash, opening new avenues for growth. Alternative investments present many opportunities that appeal to seasoned investors and those looking to diversify their wealth and plan for the...
Is It Better to Pay Down Your Mortgage or Invest?
Deciding the best way to allocate your hard-earned money can be challenging. For homeowners, a common dilemma is whether to pay down your mortgage faster or invest that extra cash elsewhere. When it comes to raw numbers, the math favours investing rather than...
Whole Life Insurance Policies Explained
When it comes to financial planning, one term you’re likely to encounter is whole life insurance. If you're new to the concept, you might wonder what it entails and how it fits into your financial picture and retirement planning. Whole life insurance is a type...
Personal Financial Planning: Your Step-By-Step Guide
Personal financial planning is essential for managing your life and planning for the future. While it may seem daunting at first, breaking down the process into manageable steps can help you reach long-term security and the ability to pursue your passions.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan: What Is It & How Does It Work?
A defined benefit pension plan is a retirement plan where your employer guarantees you a specific amount of income based on a formula that considers your salary and years of service. Both you and your employer typically contribute to the plan, and the payout usually increases over time to keep pace with inflation. This offers a safe and secure income stream throughout your retirement, with options for monthly payments or a lump sum payout in some plans.
How to Invest in Real Estate in Canada
Investing in real estate can include buying and managing rental property, investing in REITs, or many other methods that involve purchasing property as an investment or steady income.
What Is a Health Spending Account?
A health spending account is a non-taxable benefit plan that covers eligible expenses not covered by provincial or federal programs.
HBP vs. FHSA: What’s the Difference?
The difference between an HBP and an FHSA is their contribution limit, withdrawal amount, and repayment. These differences can have massive repercussions when planning your future, and a trusted advisor can help you maximize the benefits of these valuable tools.
March 2024 Market Review and April Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: March 1st – 29th, 2024 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in March? March saw another positive month across the board for global risk...
The Pros & Cons of a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
As the business world evolves, so must the strategies and incentives it employs to attract, retain, and motivate top talent. One such tool in the executive compensation toolkit is a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). SERPs have pros and cons like any other investment plan.
February Market Review and March Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: February 1 – 29, 2024 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in February? February brought another positive month for the global risk...
January Market Review and February Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: January 2nd – 31st, 2024 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in January? The 2023 narrative continued over the month of January as large...
Group Benefits for a Small Business: What Is Your Program Communicating to Your Employees?
Communicating your benefits packages clearly to your employees, making benefits information accessible, leveraging technology, and discussing less-used benefits with your team can all help your employees understand their available benefits.
2023 Market Recap, 2024 Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: December 1st – 29th, 2023 Last Year in the Markets: January 3rd -December 29th, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What...
What Is a First Home Savings Account (FHSA)?
The thought of saving for a house can seem like a daunting challenge in today’s economy, but a first home savings account (FHSA) may be able to help you save one. An FHSA is designed to help prospective first-time home buyers save money for their first home, tax-free...
November Market Review and December Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: November 1st – 30th, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in November? November was an exceptionally strong month...
5 Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
Mental health in the workplace is a crucial topic that deserves our attention and understanding. Some people feel shame and distress when they reach out for help, but this is a stigma we're working on removing. Offering group benefits that include mental health...
October Market Review and November Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: October 1st – 31st, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in October? With a relief rally at the beginning of the month, October saw...
How to Reduce Taxes for High-Income Earners in Canada
Tax strategies for high-income earners can include using registered accounts like a TFSA, RRSP, and RESP, transferring income to your spouse, and making tax-efficient investments such as flow-through shares and Canadian Dividend Tax Credit.
How Can I Optimize My Tax Strategy to Minimize My Tax Liability?
Ways to optimize your tax strategy to minimize tax liability include:
Maximizing your deductions
Carefully planning your investments
Taking advantage of all available tax credits
Understanding how your tax bracket can affect your taxes
10 Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor
10 questions you should ask your financial advisor include:
How do you manage risks?
What’s the investment plan?
What are the fees?
How will you help me reach my goals?
What are your credentials and experience?
Can you provide referrals?
Are my goals still on track?
How have my investments performed?
Does my investment plan work with my tax strategies?
Should I have a focus on anything new in the upcoming year?
September Market Review and October Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: September 1st – 29th, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in September? It was a difficult month for investors, as major...
August Market Review and September Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – August 1st - 31st, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in August? In tandem with global financial markets, North...
What Are the Advantages of a Group Savings Plan?
Saving for retirement can be an important part of a person’s life, and group savings plans are often great for both individual financial planning and businesses because they can provide benefits for employees and their employers. The advantages of group savings plans...
July Market Review and August Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – July 3rd – 31st, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in July? North American equity indexes added another 2 to 4 percent to their...
Group Benefits: Understanding Target Loss Ratio
Group benefits can be a great way for an employer to show their appreciation for their staff and give them the opportunity to maintain their health and wellness with more support. But they can be complicated and come with several challenging concepts to understand,...
June Market Review and July Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets - June 1st - 30th 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened? June was an eventful month for investors, with equities...
Should an Insured Retirement Plan Be Part of Your Financial Planning?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to financial planning for your retirement. But an insured retirement plan can make a great addition to your overall financial plan in many cases. This, combined with contributing as much as you can to tax-free savings plans...
May Market Review and June Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – May 1st – 31st, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in May? Last month saw divergence among major North American equity indexes....
What to Know About the Group Benefit Renewal Process
Group benefits can be a great way to say thank you to your team and help provide access to the health and wellness services they may need. But setting up a benefits plan for your business isn’t a one-and-done process. You’ll need to keep in touch with your benefits...
April Market Review and May Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – April 3rd – 28th, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in April? As banking concerns subsided, equity markets held up...
Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your Tax Return in 2023
Spring has come, meaning it’s time to file your taxes. After a long year of investing, it’s worth putting in extra effort to maximize your tax return. Understanding the Canadian tax code can take some time. An experienced financial team can help, but you can also...
Advanced Tax Strategies for High-Income Earners in Canada
As a high-income earner, you may be aware taxes can take a significant chunk of your income. However, there are several advanced tax strategies you can implement to reduce your tax burden and keep more money in your pocket. Advanced tax strategies for high-income...
March 2023 Market Review and April Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets: March 1st – 31st, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in March? March was a chaotic month for investors, especially those...
Federal Budget Highlights
On Tuesday March 28th, Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance delivered a 250-page budget titled “A Made-in-Canada Plan”. This outlined the governing Liberals’ fiscal plans to the House of Commons. The highlights include: $46...
How to Take Advantage of High Interest Rates
The economy is always changing. Interest rates rise and fall, and peoples’ financial situations change along with them. While periods of inflation make it more difficult to borrow money, it is possible to prosper by making the right decisions at the right times. You...
February Market Recap and March Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – February 1st -28th, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in February? Coming off January’s broad base rally, led...
RRSP Contribution Deadline: What to Know for 2023
The first few months of a year are always a busy time. But these first months are also excellent for financial planning for the year and your future, which may also include last-minute investment opportunities. For example, the RRSP contribution deadline is March 1 in...
January Market Recap and February Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – January 3rd to 31st, 2023 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in January? Last month proved to be very optimistic and the...
Pay Off Debt or Invest? What to Consider
When it comes to your future, the decision between paying off debt and investing can be a challenging one to make. Asking your financial advisor is always a good option to help you make a decision about your financial future and help create an effective investment...
2023 Global Market Outlook
Last Year in the Markets – January 3rd to December 30th, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in 2022? Last year was trying for almost every...
Corporate Life Insurance
What Is Corporate Owned Life Insurance? Life insurance can be owned in one of two ways: corporately or personally. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but in the right situation there can be some serious benefits to putting your life insurance into your...
November Market Recap and December Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – November 1st – 30th, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in November? Overall, the markets were largely positive last month. ...
The Benefits of Long-term Investing
When it comes to creating an effective investment strategy, it is key to think about the long term. Long-term investing can hugely benefit your overall wealth so you can continue building up your portfolio for years to come. With unpredictability, emotion, and...
October Market Recap and November Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – October 3rd – 31st, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in October?...
How Does Inflation Affect Investment Returns
Investing can be an unpredictable process. You can follow trends, analyze data, and make educated guesses on where your money is going, but constantly shifting markets and monetary factors can throw your investment strategy for a loop. One of those monetary...
September Market Recap and October Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – September 1st – 30th, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in September? September is typically a bad month for North American...
How to Invest During a Recession
Recessions may seem daunting, especially when you need to consider all your expenses relative to income. But they may also present lucrative opportunities for investment returns down the line. Understanding how to position your investments during a recession is...
Estate Planning Checklist in Canada: Your Guide
Estate planning doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Mindfully planning what happens to your property and other assets after your death can empower your loved ones and have your intentions heard. Let’s go over what you need to know about estate planning in...
August Market Recap and September Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – August 1st – 31st, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in August? After the July relief rally, equities, represented by the major...
July Market Recap and August Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – July 1st – 29th, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in July? The first half of July saw a...
June 2022 Market Recap and July Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – June 1st – 30th, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What Happened in June?June was one of the most negative equity one-month periods in North...
May 2022 Market Recap and June 2022 Market Outlook
Last Month in the Markets – May 2nd – 31st, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) ...
Guide: Small Business Employee Benefit Packages
Having a customized group benefits package keeps your current employees secure and happy and can help you attract the talent you need to grow your business and reach your goals. Employee benefit packages can be complex and challenging to manage. Packages include...
April 2022 Market Recap
Last Month in the Markets – April 1st – 29th, 2022 (source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) What happened in April? The month began on a positive note for American equity indices, but...
How is Crypto Taxed in Canada?
If you operate in the investment space, chances are you’ve heard of cryptocurrency. You might even own some crypto in your portfolio. With tax season approaching, it’s important you understand how the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) taxes crypto investments. ...
March 2022 Market Recap and April 2022 Market Outlook
Last Month in the Market (March 1st-31st, 2022) What happened in March? For the fourth consecutive month North American equities dipped mid-month and then recovered. The North American indices performed well gaining 2 – 4%. However, they are all still in negative...
How to Choose a Financial Advisor in Canada
Even if you’re on top of your finances, it takes a lot of time and energy to ensure your money is working towards your ever-evolving goals. Add in the life-changing events like growing a family, buying a house, or retiring, and you’ll quickly find keeping an eye on...
February 2022 Market Recap and March 2022 Outlook
(source: Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/markets, MSCI https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search and ARG Inc. analysis) ...
RRSP Contributions: How To Avoid Paying Taxes
You can avoid paying higher taxes and invest in your future with a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). While both an RRSP and TFSA offer tax incentives, an RRSP can provide better financial planning opportunities for high-income contributors. How an RRSP Works...
2022 Global Market Outlook
As we begin 2022, the market is experiencing several underlying themes: Covid-19 has Unbalanced the Global Supply and Demand for Goods We have seen an increase in demand through highly accommodative monetary and fiscal policy putting more money into people’s pockets...
Which Is Better: an RRSP or TFSA?
Saving for retirement can ensure a comfortable future and rid the fear of not having enough money once you stop working. When it comes to investing and saving, you may ask yourself the question: is an RRSP or TFSA better for me? The simple answer is they both...
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