NSSC Blog: Before You Invest

Question of the Week – What affects the value of a stock?

Submitted by nsscadmin on

One of our readers is a keen follower of the stock market. They aren’t heavily invested in stocks, but they enjoy monitoring the price of some local companies and some well-known blue chips. After observing some wide fluctuations and volatility over the years they want to know what factors affect the value of a stock?

Question of the Week – What is the consumer price index?

Submitted by nsscadmin on

The consumer price index (CPI) is used to determine the changes in consumer prices experienced by Canadians. The CPI is determined by looking at the change in cost over time of a fixed basket of goods and services that are purchased by consumers. The basket always contains the same quality and quantity of goods which allows the CPI to reflect the pure price change.

Back to Basics: Finding an Adviser

Submitted by nsscadmin on

There should be more involved in finding an adviser than simply choosing the first person you find when searching on Google. Choosing the right adviser for you takes some time and effort. After all, we’re talking about the person that you’ll be trusting with your money and your financial goals.

When looking for an adviser you may want to ask for referrals from friends or family, or start the search on your own. Either way make sure you can answer the following questions to your satisfaction.

Back to Basics: Robo-Advisers

Submitted by nsscadmin on

A robo-adviser is a specific class of financial adviser that delivers financial advice or portfolio management online with very little human input. A robo-adviser develops its financial advice through algorithms. Using these algorithms, a robo-adviser manages a client’s portfolio based on their income, risk tolerance, financial goals and desired returns.

Back to Basics: Checking Registration

Submitted by nsscadmin on

Now that you know all advisers need to be registered and that there are categories of registration, what do you do with this information? If you are going to do business with an adviser and put them in charge of your hard-earned money, you need make sure they are registered. Thankfully, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has made this very easy to do.

Back to Basics: Categories of Registration

Submitted by nsscadmin on

As we previously said anyone advising on or selling securities and derivatives in the province of Nova Scotia must be registered with the Nova Scotia Securities Commission. But not all registration is created equal. There are different categories of registration that determine what investment products an adviser can sell or advise their clients to purchase.

Registration categories range from very limited to practically no limitations on the investments the registrant can offer. These categories include:

Back to Basics: Registration

Submitted by nsscadmin on

Did you know anyone advising on, or selling securities in the province of Nova Scotia must be registered with the Nova Scotia Securities Commission?

Anyone who wishes to become registered with us must prove their proficiency, integrity and solvency.

Proficiency is determined through education. There is a list of courses and exams someone who wants to be registered must pass.

Back to Basics: Alternative Investments

Submitted by nsscadmin on

Alternative investments are more complicated and complex investments that are generally not suitable for novice investors.

Alternative investments usually take on higher-than-average risk in return for the potential for higher-than-average returns. Due to their complex nature and higher risk, they are meant for very knowledgeable investors and investors that have considerable wealth and can afford to take on the added risk.

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