Inflation is a major challenge for seniors on fixed incomes
When food prices rise, seniors on fixed incomes pay a heavy price. Seniors living on federal pensions have lost $1,600 in purchasing power, according to Pierre Lynch, the president of the Association qu茅b茅coise de d茅fense des droits des personnes retrait茅es et pr茅retrait茅es. And it鈥檚 difficult to predict when those costs could come down, says聽Associate Professor of Finance聽Sebastien Betermier.
Countries with high debt and a reliance on imports could face tough times
Sri Lanka is facing down a liquidity crisis. It has $50 billion in debt to foreign creditors, but no foreign currency reserves. The country foreign currency was depleted when pandemic-related travel restrictions undermined its thriving tourism industry. It also imports many goods, and costs soared as energy prices rose.
Higher interest rates are already packing a punch
Payments on variable rate mortgages have gone up, and house prices have gone down. We are already seeing the impact of higher interest rates, and we are not done yet, according to Prof. Sebastien Betermier. 鈥淚 expect to see a continuation of what we are already seeing,鈥� Betermier told CTV News.
Persistent inflation could contribute to a recession, but there are steps that can take to ease the pain
The recovery from the pandemic created strong demand for products and services, but supply remained weak as a result of supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and the rising cost of food and oil. Together, these factors have contributed to high inflation, which central banks are fighting by raising interest rates. But some of these factors are beyond the reach of central bank鈥檚 efforts, like rising energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine, said Prof.
More efficient capital management could help pension funds strained by longer life expectancy
Canadians are living longer than ever. Life expectancy at retirement has increased by about four years since 1980. This creates a cash crunch for pension funds. Increasing current plan members contributions is one way to address this, but more efficient capital management can help too. Pension funds have a distinct advantage over other investors, argues Prof. Sebastien Betermier in Policy Options.
Prof. Betermier lands new role as Director of ICPM
Sebastien Betermier, Associate Professor of Finance and Finance Area Coordinator at the Desautels Faculty of Management at 海角社区 has been appointed as the new Executive Director of The International Centre for Pension Management (ICPM).
Investing experience can help navigate market downturns
Many young investors have never lived through a major market downturn, and some novices could overreact as markets fall, according to Sebastien Betermier, an Associate Professor of Finance at Desautels.
Canada鈥檚 largest pension plans are driving green development through real estate investments
The skyscrapers of Toronto鈥檚 financial district house Canada鈥檚 largest banks, and some of its most successful companies. The buildings themselves are largely owned by Canada鈥檚 largest pension funds, which have directly developed real estate across major Canadian cities.
Supply chain disruptions caused inflation, and the war in Ukraine is making it worse
Inflation is up. Way up. In March 2022, Canada experienced its biggest increase in inflation in more than three decades. The oft-cited monthly inflation figure represents the rate of change in the consumer price index, and many consumers are already feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks.
But why is it happening? Inflation is typically caused by either increased consumer demand in a strong economy, or by supply shortages that drive prices higher.
Prof. Sebastien Betermier talks investment strategies with Rational Reminder podcast
Stocks with high expected return appeal to many new investors, but can be exposed to high risks. Investors must consider how these risks can impact their overall financial situation,聽Prof. Sebastien Betermier tells the Rational Reminder podcast.
The Russian economy has cratered 鈥� but most Canadian investors are unlikely to have much exposure to it
Russia produces about 10 per cent of the world鈥檚 oil, but the rest of its economy is more of a lightweight. Before it attacked Ukraine, and had its financial system crippled by severe sanctions, Russia accounted for about three per cent of global GDP. Because Russian stock markets were closed after the invasion, investors have been unable to sell their holdings.
The potential long-term impact of unprecedented economic sanctions on Russia
While the use of economic sanctions for political means is no new strategy, the magnitude of the sanctions imposed on Russia in the wake of Putin鈥檚 invasion of neighbouring Ukraine is unprecedented, says Professor Sebastien Betermier in an interview with CTV Montreal.
The truth behind divestment at public and private firms
The transition to a clean energy economy is only beginning, but its reverberations are already being felt in global markets.
Three tips for going green
On a recent segment of CTV News Montreal, Professor Sebastien Betermier shared three key takeaways from the 5th annual 海角社区 International Portfolio Competition, an event designed to help guide corporate and political leaders toward a greener economy. First, managers should create clear milestones, he says. Second, they must integrate change across industries.
Putting ESG front and center
Meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards continues to weigh heavily on the agenda for Canadian companies across industries. As Desautels strives to prepare students to meet evolving demands, Professor Sebastien Betermier highlights the importance of integrating ESG considerations into coursework--but not at the expense of fundamental concepts.
