Investment
Canada expected to buck trend of big investment banking layoffs


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TORONTO, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Some of Canada’s top investment banks plan to maintain staffing levels to meet client expectations for the same level of coverage through the ups and downs of business cycles, head hunters and industry executives said.
U.S. investment banks, including Goldman Sachs (GS.N), began cutting over 3,000 employees on Jan. 11 citing a challenging macroeconomic environment, raising fears Canadian banks may follow suit. Like their global peers, many Canadian investment banks had staffed up during the pandemic only to see dealmaking slow last year.
At Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO), the country’s biggest lender, for instance, headcount at its capital markets division jumped by 71% over the two years ending Oct. 31, 2022 to 6,887 employees.
But in the meantime Canadian dealmaking fell 39.7% last year to $89.7 billion. That is more than the 36% drop in global deal values to $3.8 trillion following a stellar 2021, according to data from Dealogic.
Yet, Canadian banks have not announced layoffs and some even say they may increase headcount, though dealmaking in the new year is down nearly 50% to $3.2 billion from a year ago, according to Dealogic.
“Right now there is a sense that there isn’t a need for cuts in the system,” Dominique Fortier, partner at recruitment firm Heidrick & Struggles’ Toronto office, told Reuters.
“When there was an upswing in 2021, it happened so quickly that there was no corresponding increase in hiring and so I don’t see that we’ll have the same decrease in terms of headcount coming.”
Toronto Dominion Bank (TD.TO), which last year agreed to buy New York-based boutique investment bank Cowen Inc (COWN.O), expects to continue to grow its global investment banking business as it work towards closing the deal, a spokesperson said.
Desjardins, another Canadian lender, will continue to invest in its growing capital markets division, a spokesperson said.
EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION
Bill Vlaad, a Toronto-based recruiter who specializes in the financial services sector, said that while there was some nervousness around the stability of investment banking teams, Canada is unlikely to see U.S.-level redundancies aside from the annual cull of poor performers called “maintenance layoffs.”
“The U.S. is very nimble. They will go in and out of hotspots very quickly. Canada doesn’t have that same luxury and has to stay relatively consistent in coverage,” said Vlaad.
“You have a consistent group of people working…and they don’t fluctuate all that much year to year, decade to decade.”
But another down year for dealmaking could see bonuses taking a hit.
RBC, which was ranked No. 2 in Canada M&A, equity capital markets and debt capital markets last year according to Dealogic, has no layoff plans for investment banking in Canada, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
Spokespeople for JP Morgan, which topped the M&A league table last year, Scotiabank (BNS.TO) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM.TO) declined to comment. BMO did not respond to requests for comment.
Headhunters and lawyers say it’s less expensive to lay off bankers in the United States compared to Canada.
Howard Levitt, senior partner at employment law firm Levitt Sheikh, said Canadian investment banking employees would be entitled to somewhere between four and 27 months severance with full remuneration depending on their status, re-employability, age and length of service.
Reporting by Maiya Keidan
Editing by Denny Thomas and Deepa Babington
Editing by Denny Thomas and Deepa Babington




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Investment
“Everything that has to do with investment processes has changed” – CTech


Nate Meir, Partner at StageOne Ventures
“Everything that has to do with investment processes has changed and I think it is in favor of, not only the funds, but also the founders of companies,” said Nate Meir, Partner at StageOne Ventures. “Founders of companies nowadays, when they raise money, they have to better their story, have much more validation, and therefore they get to have more conviction. They’re building, and they know they’re working on something real.”
StageOne Ventures is a Seed stage VC based in Israel that invests in infrastructure technology for large enterprises. It focuses on the inception stage of companies and is investing now from its fourth fund, where it has a total of half a billion dollars under management.
According to Meir, the change in the market also positively favors investors. “On our side, the investment side, it means we have more time to validate the story, check with our network, connect… we’re focused on the inception stage so we work with those founders, we are focused more now on connecting them to our network, check with prospect customers, and have them sit with many more potential customers.”
You can watch the entire exchange in the video above.
Investment
FACIT generates $1.5 billion in follow-on investment – Yahoo Canada Finance
A commercialization landmark for Ontario cancer innovations and patient impact
TORONTO, March 29, 2023 /CNW/ – FACIT announced $1.5 billion in follow-on investment attracted to its portfolio of cancer biotechnology start-ups in Ontario, a significant milestone for life science commercialization in Canada. FACIT partners with start-ups to commercialize their made-in-Ontario technologies and intellectual property (IP). With FACIT’s expertise and seed capital, Ontario companies have gone on to create skilled jobs and high-tech facilities while keeping homegrown talent from leaving the province.
“This financing milestone represents a major win for Ontario’s innovation economy, and an unprecedented return on research investment for taxpayers,” said Dr. David O’Neill, President of FACIT. “It also signals hope for the two-in-five Ontarians who will be diagnosed with cancer and could have their cancer prevented, detected or treated by one of these innovations.”
FACIT and its strategic research partner, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), were created to capitalize on Ontario’s world-renowned medical research hub. To achieve this bold commercialization strategy, FACIT created its Prospects Oncology and Compass Rose Oncology Funds to invest in Ontario entrepreneurs and seed a domestic industrial pathway to drive cancer clinical trials and economic development.
By leveraging early investment exits, FACIT has established its own source of risk-capital and demonstrated the value of capitalizing on Ontario life sciences IP. Following consecutive waves of commercialization success, FACIT has made approximately $60 million in private sector returns available for reinvestment into Ontario innovation and the next generation of biotech leaders, including CTRL Therapeutics, Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Radiant Biotherapeutics, Tenomix, Xpan and others.
Given the global health marketplace is worth $10 trillion, capturing even a 1% share from homegrown IP could be a major boon for the economy, for cancer research, and for the patients who benefit from new breakthroughs.
“Implementing the principles of seed venture investing in a public research setting establishes an Ontario First pathway for cancer innovation,” Dr. O’Neill added. “With over 30 times leverage from the private sector, this novel commercialization venture has created tremendous value from homegrown IP, advancing start-ups and accelerating clinical trials.”
“Congratulations to FACIT on the impressive growth of its portfolio companies and the success of its groundbreaking approach to commercialization. OICR’s unique partnership with FACIT continues to generate great outcomes in our joint mission to advance cancer research innovations led by OICR researchers and their key collaborators to improve outcomes for people with cancer and grow Ontario’s economy,” said Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi, President and Scientific Director of OICR.
“Our government is focused on the long-term economic growth of Ontario by supporting entrepreneurs and making key investments in research and innovation,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Ontario’s support for leading organizations like FACIT highlights our province’s commitment to maximizing the value of made-in-Ontario research and intellectual property, so we can increase commercialization opportunities and ultimately help our discoveries reach patients so they can lead longer and healthier lives.”
“Through our Life Sciences Strategy, we’re ensuring Ontario remains at the forefront of innovation and continues to be a global leader in life sciences,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “FACIT’s milestone is great news for the sector and an important step forward in Ontario cancer innovation. We’re committed to adopting innovative approaches to secure and grow our position as an attractive destination to do business.”
About FACIT
FACIT is an award-winning commercialization venture firm that builds companies with entrepreneurs to accelerate oncology innovation, with a portfolio that has attracted more than $1.5 billion in investment to Ontario. Blending industry experience, capital and the unsurpassed clinician-scientist network of its strategic partner the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), FACIT capitalizes on the province’s investment in research and healthcare to the benefit of the local economy and patients worldwide. Cancer Breakthroughs. Realized. facit.ca.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/facit-generates-1-5-billion-in-follow-on-investment-301784531.html
SOURCE FACIT Inc.
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2023/29/c8208.html
Investment
Exploring Different Types of Investment Opportunities in Canada


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With the Canadian economy booming, more and more people are looking to invest their money in different types of opportunities. Whether you’re a beginner investor or an experienced one, it is important to understand the different types of investments available in Canada before making any decisions. There are a variety of investment options available in Canada that offer varying levels of risk and return potential. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the investment markets in Canada.
Major developments in Canada’s financial sector
Canada’s financial sector has seen several major developments in recent years. The most significant of these is the introduction of the Bank Act, which was passed in 2018 and provides a framework for regulating banks and other financial institutions. This act also includes provisions to protect consumers from unfair practices, such as predatory lending and high-cost credit products. Additionally, the government has implemented measures to increase competition in the banking sector by allowing non-bank entities to offer certain banking services. This has resulted in more choices for consumers when it comes to their banking needs.
Moreover, Canada’s financial sector has seen an increased focus on digital technology, with many banks now offering online banking services and mobile apps that allow customers to manage their finances on the go. Finally, there have been efforts to make financial services more accessible for all Canadians by introducing initiatives such as no-fee bank accounts and low-cost credit cards. Be sure to check out Canadian finance news on Finances.ca to stay informed on recent developments in the financial sector. The site also provides insights into good credit management and tips on how to choose the best loans, credit cards and investment opportunities.
Trends in the Canadian stock market
The Canadian stock market has been on a roller coaster ride in recent years, with the TSX Composite Index reaching record highs before plunging to its lowest levels since 2009. In 2020, the index was up by more than 20%, making it one of the best-performing markets in the world. This year, however, has seen a different story as the effects of the pandemic have caused volatility and uncertainty in global markets.
Despite this, there are still some trends that investors should be aware of when investing in Canadian stocks. One trend is that large-cap stocks have outperformed small-cap stocks over the past few months. This is likely due to their greater stability and ability to weather economic downturns better than smaller companies. Additionally, sectors such as energy and financials have been outperforming other sectors due to their higher dividend yields and growth potential. Finally, technology stocks have also been doing well as they benefit from increased demand for digital services.
The future of Canada’s real estate market
Canada’s real estate market is expected to remain strong in the coming years, with prices continuing to rise. The demand for housing is expected to remain high, as more people move into cities and look for affordable housing options. While interest rates are on the rise, inflation is expected to level off soon. Either way, the demand for housing is high and will more than likely remain high for the foreseeable future.
However, some potential risks could affect the market in the future. For example, rising unemployment rates could lead to a decrease in demand for housing and an increase in foreclosures. Moreover, changes in government policies or regulations could have an impact on the real estate market as well. As such, investors and buyers alike need to stay informed about any potential changes that may affect their investments or purchases.
Investing in crypto
When investing in crypto as a Canadian, it’s important to ensure that your money is going into a secure platform. It’s recommended that investors use an established exchange like QuadrigaCX or Coinsquare for trading cryptocurrency. These exchanges have strict security protocols in place so that your funds are safe from hackers or other malicious activities. Additionally, these exchanges offer access to many different cryptocurrencies so you can diversify your portfolio even further if desired.
It’s also important to be aware of tax implications when investing in crypto as a Canadian citizen. Generally speaking, any profits or realized gains made from trading cryptocurrency are subject to capital gains taxes at the same rate as stocks or other investments held by Canadians. Therefore, it’s vital to keep track of all transactions and calculate gains accordingly when filing taxes each year.
In conclusion, it is important to research and understand the various investment opportunities available in Canada before investing. Ensure that you are comfortable with the risks associated with each option and always consult a financial professional if necessary.
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