Monday morning briefing: A look at the current equity run

What could be in store for the hedge fund industry in 2020? A look at the remarkable return of Bitcoin. A survey of some federal tax changes in 2020. And much more in this week’s briefing.

Economic/industry news

Canadian manufacturing pulls back in December: IHS Markit Canada Manufacturing PMI

China’s central bank reduces the reserve requirement ratio: China cuts banks’ reserve ratios again, frees up $115 billion to spur economy

Underwriting of global debt surged higher in 2019: A record year for global debt issuance

M&A activity across the world slowed last year: M&A activity declined in 2019

Millennials’ interest in ESG investing will impact markets: Millennials’ ESG investing will transform markets, DeVere Group says

Chart of the week – A look at the current equity run

What a decade it’s been for equities. The prolonged bull market has rewarded those investors who stayed the course with steady gains. Will the next decade bring more of the same, or are we due for a pullback? Let us know what you think. 

Used with permission of Bloomberg Finance L.P.

News and notes (U.S.)

Hedge funds’ performance fees fell in 2019: Hedge fund fees plummeted further in 2019

An overview of the mutual fund industry in 2019: Mutual funds scorecard: 2019 in review

What could be in store for the hedge fund industry in 2020?: 20/20 foresight for hedge funds in 2020?

Vanguard to offer free online trading for stocks and options: Vanguard joins the crowd, drops commissions on stocks and options trades 

News and notes (Canada)

Will Ontario eliminate the DSC?: Investor advocate group expects Ontario to buckle on DSCs

A look at some federal tax changes in 2020: Lower taxes, new RRSP rules and digital news tax credit among 2020 changes

IIROC looking to support its dealer members: IIROC vows to support industry transformation

On the pulse – New frontiers in fintech

Some fintech predictions for the year ahead: Five fintech predictions for 2020, according to Kleiner Perkins

The path to becoming a digital institution: How to make your financial institution digital-first in 2020

Three trends in open source storage: Open source storage: driving intelligence in the small data sprawl era

A look at the remarkable return of Bitcoin: Bitcoin’s 9,000,000% rise this decade leaves the skeptics aghast

How fintech partnerships can help advisors: Taking a 2020 view of fintech in wealth management

High-net-worth topics

The number of high-net-worth individuals in Canada expected to grow: When it comes to wealth opportunity, Canada’s perfectly average

How the high-net-worth maintain their wealth across generations: 100 families’ secrets to staying wealthy for 100 years

Polls & surveys – What financials are saying

Canadians looking to eliminate debt in 2020 (CIBC): Getting out of debt remains Canadians’ top financial priority in 2020: poll

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