Commentary by Greg Davis, Vanguard chief investment officer At Vanguard, we’ve always emphasized the importance of investing for the long term. The example of two recent U.S. equity market trading days helps reinforce that message. On January 20, the markets rose solidly throughout the day, with the Nasdaq, best-known for technology stocks, up nearly 2% at its highest point. But the gains evaporated in a flurry of late selling. Just two business days later, on January 24, the

Which investment fees qualify as tax deductions? Working with your advisor to develop an investment portfolio is an important part of creating a life plan that will help you reach your goals. You can choose from a wide range of investment products, including mutual funds, segregated funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). And while the objective is to get your money working for you, the reality is that fees will often be involved. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes expertise

You’re a patient investor. You understand that the rewards for your diligence are won over time. You’re willing to give up potential extra return because you know the importance of balance—having bonds in your portfolio because they help absorb the blow when stock markets get rocky. You’re in it for the long run. So, what do you do when the markets seem to turn against you? I wrote just four weeks ago about equity markets that had fluctuated wildly even in the course of a sin

Comparing MERs and Investments Management Fees

Ten ways to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle. Want to live a greener lifestyle? Recycling is a great start, but if you want to do more for the environment, these small changes can make a big difference. 1. Clean green. You don’t need industrial-strength chemicals to tackle dirt and germs. All-natural cleaning products are widely available, or you can easily make your own using everyday items from your pantry. Clean up naturally with old-school staples like vinegar, baking so

As digital "robo-advice" offerings have expanded in scope and availability, questions have arisen about the future of traditional advice given by humans. Will digital advice take over? Our research finds that human-advised clients are, in fact, not likely to switch to digital advisors. Quite the opposite, 9 in 10 robo-advised clients are considering switching to a human advisor in the future. At the same time, clients believe that there is some room for automation of services

Unique rental opportunities thanks to the sharing economy. Have you heard of the sharing economy? Even if the term seems unfamiliar, there’s a good chance you’ve used some of the services in this unique business sector. If you’ve ever rented a private condo for the weekend using an online service or booked a ride that relies on someone’s personal vehicle rather than a cab, then you’ve participated in the sharing economy. In Canada, the sharing economy is big business. Statist

Vanguard has emphasized for months that markets have underestimated just how high the Federal Reserve might need to raise its key interest rate target to quell inflation. Our economic and market outlook for 2022 discussed policymakers’ delicate balance between keeping inflation expectations anchored and supporting economic growth. Consumer prices that have since reached multidecade highs globally, exacerbated recently by elevated oil prices related to Russia’s invasion of Ukr

Here’s what makes U.S. equities attractive to Canadian investors. Canadian investors have been increasingly looking south towards U.S. markets, investing a record $82 billion in U.S. securities between January and November 2021. What’s attracting them? And should you be paying attention, too? Stock market performance is likely one of the big factors contributing to the flow of money into U.S. equities. Over the past two decades, the U.S.-based S&P 500 Index has averaged an an

Think about time in the markets – not timing the markets – that can help achieve your financial goals. Stock market volatility can make any investor jittery. After all, it can place your investments in the path of potential harm. When that volatility occurs alongside a stream of doom-and-gloom headlines and troubling economic forecasts, it’s natural to question your investment commitment. Experts in investor behaviour say the urge to suspend investment activity, or worse, to