Tag: investors blog

Warren Buffett Tips

Posted by WFG – August 22, 2011

Warren Buffett with Fisher College of Business Student

Warren Buffett with Fisher College of Business Student - Image Courtesy of Aaron Friedman

When it comes to learning about investing there is nothing better than a few Warren Buffett tips. He has inspired countless investors and become one of the most successful businessmen in the world. With the market in a temperamental state, tips from Warren Buffett are more important now than they have ever been.

Warren Buffett Tips To Start With

When first starting out, Warren Buffet says that there are only four major factors that should be taken into account when investing. Firstly dealing with a business you understand and knowing the industry is a key ingredient. You’ll be able to plan ahead easier if you know the business you’re investing in. The second is an able and trustworthy management. The third is favorable long-term economics and lastly a sensible price tag. If you use all these when making a plan then you’re on your way to a successful investment future.

Following the advice on knowing the company you invest in, Buffett also believes you should know the owners. And they aren’t always run by managers with a flashy resume and a high class degree. Some business owners are smart enough to obtain a degree, have a passion for the industry and love their associates. This, to Buffett, is more important that academic education.

Don’t Always Look For The Next Big Thing

He also suggests that looking for the next best thing isn’t always the best method for investing. If you find a startup company that will make millions, such as Facebook, then you’re Read the rest of this article

Investment Scams and Fraud

Posted by WFG – August 17, 2011

Investment scams and fraud are still a threat to our personal finances. You make think you’re safe, because you know how to spot them, but if you let your guard down that’s when they strike. And though the strategies are changing, human nature stays the same.

In the news this week it was revealed that 300 Canadians and Americans were the target of a $48 million scheme. The people involved believed they were investing in a profitable venture that would earn returns of near 110 per cent, in only three months. The fraudsters have been caught and sentenced, but the question is, how did the investors fall for it? Surely they could see this was a scam? Read the rest of this article

Making Penny Stock Scams Work For You

Posted by WFG – August 15, 2011

Many people ask the question, what is a penny stock scam? And it’s important to know if you are trading on the penny stock market. The problem is that many people don’t really know if these scams really are scams. There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the tricks played, but there are ways of making them work for you.

Imagine yourself at home and it’s just another day working with penny stocks. The hope is always there that you’ll get a tip or find that perfect company which will make you a small fortune. You think about this every day and it’s almost faded into a dream. Until one day, you could hear the news from a friend, through an e-mail newsletter or by reading it on a forum, the perfect penny stock. Read the rest of this article

How do You Buy Penny Stocks Online?

Posted by WFG – July 29, 2011

Penny stocks are becoming increasingly popular due to their low prices. They costs less than $5 to either buy or sell and are available online to regular investors through discount brokers. To experienced traders penny stocks aren’t a sensible option, as they don’t bring much in return. But for newcomers to the world of investing they serve as a great starting point. So how do you buy penny stocks online? Read the rest of this article

Allied World agrees to buy Transatlantic

Posted by Winflow – June 13, 2011

Allied World Assurance Co Holdings has agreed to buy Transatlantic Holdings for US$3.2-billion in US stock. Other details on the deal include:

  • The combined companies will operate under the name TransAllied Group Holdings and will offer isurance and re-insurance products.
  • Transatlantic shareholders will own 58 percent of the company and Allied World will own the rest.
  • The new board will consist of six Transatlantic seats and five Allied World seats.
  • The combined company will have a total capital of US$8.5-billion, invested assets worth US$21-billion and a total shareholder’s equity of nearly US$7-billion.
  • New York – based Transatlantic will relocate to Switzerland where tax law is more favourable.
  • The CEO of Transatlantic will retire when the deal closes and the CEO of Allied will take over.
  • AIG used to own majority stake in Transatlantic until it was forced to sell to repay bailout money to the government.

For the complete details, read this Business News Network article. For more news on business, read:

For your small business needs, contact the Winflow Financial Group. Our consultants will provide personalized advice for your small business.

Canada Post Strike Continues

Posted by Winflow – June 13, 2011

If you are a business owner in Canada, there is one of piece of business news that is likely to affect you: the Canada Post strike. Canada Post has cut back services to three times a week, meaning sending mail has gotten even slower. Other information about the strike includes:

  • The strike has now affected seven provinces in Canada.
  • A spokesperson for Canada Post said they have seen a CDN$65-million drop in revenue since the walkouts began.
  • The rotating strike hits Fredericton, Corner Brook, Niagara Falls, Sydney, Windsor, Regina, Nanaimo, Cornwall, Sherbrooke and Quebec’s Mauricie region as of Sunday, June 12.
  • The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) president said the rolling strikes have only affected 30 percent of the country.
  • CUPW will suspend the strikes if Canada Post reinstates the workers’ collective agreement.
  • CUPW and Canada Post held negotiations this weekend but made no headway.
  • The importance of the CUPW was underlined during the strike. Many thought with the increase in technology there wouldn’t be as much of need for snail mail but they were proven wrong during the rolling strikes.

For the complete details surrounding the strike by the CUPW, read this CBC business article.

For your small business needs, contact the Winflow Financial Group.

Maple launches bid for TMX

Posted by Winflow – June 13, 2011

It appears everyone wants to get a piece of the TMX Group. The Maple Group Acquisition Corp. urged TMX shareholders to vote against a previous offer from the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Other details include:

  • The official bid included the possibility of more cash upfront.
  • Maple’s initial condition that TMX is to combine with Alpha Trading System and TDS Ltd. may be taken off the table.
  • The TMX board rejected a bid from Maple last month.
  • If the LSE offer is accepted, Maple Group’s will be off the table.
  • Maple plans to pay $48 dollars for 70 percent of TMX shares.
  • Unaffiliated shareholders will get 40 percent of Maple shares in exchange for their remaining TMX stock.
  • Members of the Maple Group who hold equity ownership in Alpha, plan to combine operations with TMX.
  • Maple’s new board of directors would include existing TMX board members and reps from Maple.

To learn more about Maple’s hostile offer, read this Financial Post article.

For your small business needs, contact the Winflow Financial Group. Our trained consultants can provide you with personalized advice for your small business. We can be reached at 1.800.956.6897 or at info@winflowfinancial.com.

Canada’s Unemployment Rate at a Two-Year Low

Posted by Winflow – June 10, 2011

Perhaps due to the creation of 22 300 jobs last month, Canada’s jobless rate has fallen to 7.4 percent. This is the lowest it has been since just after the recession started. Other details include:

  • According to StatsCan, the unemployment rate for workers between 15 and 24 was down 1.2 percent.
  • 32 900 full-time jobs were created.
  • 37 100 private sector jobs were created.
  • 44 300 jobs were lost in the public sector. These numbers are likely due to the May 2nd election.
  • 22, 500 jobs were lost in the manufacturing sector.  
  • Many Canadians have turned to self-employment, which accounts for a large percent of the job spike.
  • Canada has created  273 000 new jobs in the past year.
  • The US employment rate sits at around 9.1 percent.

For more information on Canada’s jobless rate, read this CBC article.

For other articles about the state of the economy, see below:

If you are interested in starting your own small business, contact the Winflow Financial Group. Our trained consultants will provide with advice about securing funds, dealing with investors and protecting your company’s assets . You can contact us at 1.800.956.6897 or through email at info@winflowfinancial.com.

Oil Prices to Rise During Second-Half of 2011

Posted by Winflow – June 10, 2011

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced that a high demand for crude oil, coupled with little growth from other suppliers, would drive up prices in the second-half of the year. Other details include:

  • This news comes shortly after OPEC refused to raise production to meet increasing demands.
  • Saudi Arabia plans to boost oil production to 10-million barrels per day.
  • Crude oil prices fell today.
  • West Texas Intermediate shares fell by US$2.75.
  • North Sea Brent shares fell by US$1.40.
  • A report from OPEC forecasts that the demand for crude oil will rise to 2.5-million barrels per day. Non-OPEC suppliers provide around 200 000 barrels per day.
  • There is doubt surrounding Saudi Arabia’s ability to meet their goal of producing 10-million barrels per day.
  • Iranian and Venezuelan price hawks believe there is excess crude oil in industrialized nations.
  • Consumption from growing economies is what will lead to the heightened crude demand.

For the full details, read this Globe and Mail article.

For more business news, see below:

For your business needs, contact the Winflow Financial Group. Our trained consultants can help your business through the economic downturn. We can be reached at 1.800.956.6897.

TSX: Lowest it has Been in Six Months

Posted by Winflow – June 10, 2011

Today, a huge decline was seen at the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Toronto main stock index was the lowest it has been in six months. This is due to a number of factors including:

The market was affected in the following ways:

  • Energy shares fell 1.3 percent.
  • Materials (like mining and metals) fell by 1.5 percent.
  • The TSX composite index is down to 182.46 points.
  • The Dow Jones is down by 1.2 percent.
  • All 10 sectors were down.
  • US stocks also dropped in value.
  • The Nasdaq Composite Index was down by 30.01 points.

For more details on the declining state of the stock market, read this Financial Post article.

If you are concerned your business will be affected by this economic decline, contact the Winflow Financial Group. Our consultants can assist in planning for economic slow times and find new sources of funding. We can be reached at 1.800.956.6897.