How we make recommendations

We’re very selective about the investments we recommend. Because we know how hard you’re working to achieve the milestones that mean the most to you. We want to make sure we’re giving you the best possible choices.

Our process: Discipline, rigour, experience

Our Research Department uses a disciplined approach to make sure we’re giving you the best possible choices. We only move forward with recommendations that align with our focus on quality, work well in a diversified portfolio, and are compatible with our buy-and-hold philosophy.

This gives you and your financial advisor a starting point for choosing investments personalized to your goals, situation, and the amount of risk you're willing to take.

How we choose stocks 

We don't follow every company. Instead, we filter stocks based on geography, track record, company size, and their debts and cash flow. Then we narrow down to the ones we believe have sustainable competitive advantages. And we use a valuation analysis to determine whether a stock's price is fair based on it's value so we’re recommending quality companies with attractive prices.

How we choose bonds

We recommend you own fixed-income investments to preserve both the principal and the income. So we give advice on a bond's "credit risk." That refers to the bond issuer's ability to pay principal and interest until the bond matures.

In fact, our fixed-income research analysts view credit risk as the most important factor in evaluating individual bonds. We also consider other risks, including interest rate risk and reinvestment risk - all while conducting high-quality, in-depth analysis on bonds. This timely, insightful information is at your financial advisor's fingertips so they have what they need to help you make a decision.

How we choose mutual funds

With thousands of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick which ones to buy. That's where our Mutual Fund Research team comes in. They bring more than a century of collective investment experience to analyzing mutual funds and helping provide quality recommendations. Your financial advisor can use this team’s expertise to provide mutual fund choices that make the most sense for you.

We're here for you

With the support of our experienced research team, your financial advisor can provide you with recommendations, whatever types of investments you choose.

Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Investing in equities involves risks. The value of your shares will fluctuate and you may lose principal.

Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds can decrease, and the investor can lose principal value if the investment is sold prior to maturity.