After just three years in business and in the first year of its eligibility, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth was rated the No. 1 investment advisory firm in Canada.
The ranking, produced by the publication Investment Executive, surveys financial advisors at the 14 largest firms in the country including the Big Six banks’ investment firms.
Wellington-Altus’ score was the highest by far.
“Not all firms were equal,” Investment Executive said. “The gap between the… ratings for the top- and lowest-rated firms was significantly wider than a year ago (at 2.7 in 2020 versus 1.9 in 2019), and it seems that a clearly communicated firm strategy can make or break a rating.”
Wellington-Altus racked up an average score of 9.6. Only three others broke 9.0.
With a focus on technology and an aggressive acquisition strategy, the firm has grown to about 22 offices, 250 employees and $10 billion in assets under administration. The firm has been particularly successful attracting top producers from other firms across the country.
Founded by Charlie Spiring, the Winnipeg broker who founded and grew Wellington West capital and sold it to National Bank Financial in 2011, Wellington-Altus is on an even faster growth trajectory than Wellington West ever was.
“It took Wellington West 18 years to get to $10 billion,” Spiring said. “This time we did it in three years and with a bear market.”
But the COVID-induced market collapse in March has been followed by a significant spike in April.
“I started in 1981 and it was an awful market that year,” Spiring said. “I have been through several of them. I do my best work here.”
And Spiring said the irony is that April has been the best month on the markets since 1987.
“It’s never been easier to make money,” he said. “No one seems to give a hoot about the bounce back we’ve had.”
Advisors were asked how they rate their firm on more than two dozen categories and Wellington-Altus was the top ranking firm in just about every one.
“We run an enviable book and we are doing it in Winnipeg,” Spiring said. “Everyone keeps telling me I have to do it in Toronto. How can we have the best back office, the best service, the best technologies and we are in a backwater called Winnipeg? It’s a really great thing.”
martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Martin Cash Reporter
Martin Cash has been writing a column and business news at the Free Press since 1989. Over those years he’s written through a number of business cycles and the rise and fall (and rise) in fortunes of many local businesses.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.
The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.
