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                                                                                                                               January 2011 




Market Matters - MONTHLY INVESTMENT COMMENTARY
2010 HIGHLIGHTS                                                           Table 1
        Global equity markets ended on a high note in 2010,              Summary of major market developments
         boosted by an improving investor confidence and positive         Market Returns*                           Dec.    Q4 2010          YTD
         global growth outlook.                                           S&P/TSX Composite                         3.8%     8.7%           14.4%
        In the U.S., the second round of quantitative easing and         S&P500                                    6.5%     10.2%          12.8%
         extended tax cuts helped to improve the outlook and               - in C$                                  3.2%     6.5%            6.2%
         sentiment for the U.S. economy – giving a year-end lift to       MSCI EAFE                                 4.7%     5.2%            2.0%
         global equity markets.                                            - in C$                                  5.0%     3.1%           -0.6%
        European markets struggled more in 2010 under the                MSCI Emerging Markets                     4.4%     5.5%           11.7%
         weight of persistent sovereign debt worries, particularly in
         Greece and Ireland.                                              DEX Bond Universe**                       0.2%     -0.7%           6.7%
                                                                          BBB Corporate Index**                     0.3%     -0.6%           9.5%
        Bond markets were stronger through the middle of the             *local currency (unless specified); price only
         year, but ended the year on a down note.                         **total return, Canadian bonds
        The Canadian dollar rose close to 6% to end the year at
         parity with the US dollar.                                       Other Price Levels/Change
        Global growth and strong commodity prices all                                                             Level    Q4 2010          YTD
         contributed to the strength of the Canadian dollar,              USD per CAD                              $1.01      3.5%          5.8%
         including:                                                       Oil (West Texas)*                       $91.33     14.4%          15.2%
              o Gold up 29%                                               Gold*                                   $1,418      8.9%          29.3%
              o Copper up 31%                                             CRB Industrials*                        $723.78    30.2%          56.8%
              o Nickel up 34%                                             *U.S. dollars
              o Oil up 15%
                                                                          Table 2
HERE’S TO GOOD ENDINGS!                                                   Sector level results for the Canadian market
Equity markets zigzagged their way along until late                       S&P/TSX sector returns*                   Dec.    Q4 2010          YTD
summer when markets finally caught some traction                          S&P/TSX                                   3.8%     8.7%           14.4%
and moved upward to the end of 2010 (see table 1).
The catalyst seemed to be the discussions about, and                      Energy                                    7.3%     12.8%          10.0%
eventual announcement of, QE2 (another round of                           Materials                                4.4%      14.1%          35.8%
quantitative easing and asset purchases by the U.S.                       Industrials                              3.3%       4.3%          14.4%
central bank) targeted to boost economic activity and                     Consumer discretionary                   2.7%       6.2%          21.8%
recovery. This was soon reinforced by better than                         Consumer staples                          2.6%      4.5%           8.3%
expected third quarter corporate earnings and
                                                                          Health care                               5.4%      8.8%          50.3%
improved economic news out of the U.S. Once on
                                                                          Financials                                2.1%      4.0%           6.3%
track, the gains were impressive and equity markets
                                                                          Information technology                   -4.7%     13.1%          -11.6%
finished off 2010 with a strong rally.
                                                                          Telecom services                         -1.3%     -0.8%          16.2%
                                                                          Utilities                                 2.3%      3.6%          12.6%
THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABILITY                                                *price only
This past year, investors concerned themselves with                       Source: Bloomberg, MSCI Barra, NB Financial, PC Bond, RBC Capital Markets
issues of sustainability:
 Can the U.S. sustain its economic recovery, or                           While none of these worries have completely gone
    will it fall back into a double dip recession?                         away, the later part of 2010 shone a brighter light on
 Can China sustain its fast-paced growth, or will                         the ability of countries to overcome these economic
    asset-bubbles and inflation be its Achilles heel?                      challenges.
 Can the European Union sustain the financial
    pressure of its struggling members, like Greece                        Bond returns surprised many market watchers during
    and Ireland?                                                           the year, as demand for bonds remained high despite

        GLC Asset Management Group                                      1 of 2                                                    January 2011
 
 
 




the low yields and the significant periods of equity                                  investor confidence tends to favour the “moderate
market strength. However, in the last quarter of                                      approach” when it comes to monetary policy.
2010, the improving economic picture did create a
drag on bond prices, and the steady inflow of                                         MATERIAL GAINS
investors seeking the safety of fixed-income softened.                                Taking a closer look at the Canadian S&P/TSX in
Overall, however, the results for the year were very                                  2010 (see table 2), we see the impressive results of
respectable for fixed-income investors.                                               the Materials sector – truly a driving force for the
                                                                                      Canadian equity market this past year. As concerns
North American equity markets managed some of the                                     of a double-dip recession in the U.S. faded, the global
strongest 2010 returns, thanks to strong earnings                                     economic outlook improved and commodity prices
results from corporations. This highlights that                                       rallied. Precious metals, fertilizer products and base
companies have cleaned up their balance sheets and                                    metals all had very strong results in 2010, boosting
have more or less fully recovered from the financial                                  the commodity-heavy S&P/TSX, and adding to the
crisis – a positive sign towards the eventual pick-up in                              appeal of our Canadian dollar. Stepping back further,
employment. Likewise, the American consumer                                           we can see that the cyclical sectors (like Energy and
gradually showed signs of renewed life as evidenced                                   Materials) were stronger than the defensive sectors
by improved consumer spending. The good news on                                       (like Utilities, Financials and Consumer Staples), and
the U.S. front was quickly translated to good news for                                smaller companies (measured by capitalization size)
Canada, improving our outlook for exports and for                                     outperformed larger companies by a significant
commodity demand in general.                                                          margin in 2010. Both results highlight that investors
                                                                                      became more and more comfortable with taking on
THE DRAGON AND THE PIIGS                                                              riskier assets in the improving economic environment.
European markets on the other hand had a much
more difficult time in 2010. Ongoing struggles with                                   MAKING THE BEST OF A ROCKY ROAD
sovereign debt continued to surface. As negative                                      Looking forward into 2011, we believe the long-term
headlines about Greece faded, worries over Ireland                                    outlook for equity markets is reasonably optimistic,
and the other peripheral countries (Spain, Italy,                                     supported by strong corporate earnings, and an
Portugal) emerged, disrupting investor confidence for                                 improving situation for U.S. consumers and the U.S.
much of 2010. However, as the year unfolded and                                       economy (still a driving force for global economic
the European Union dealt with each country’s crisis,                                  health). Having said that, we do expect volatility to
the challenges proved not to be game changers for                                     remain high, making it important for investors to
overall global growth - helping to ease investors’                                    consider the benefits of taking a long-term and
concerns going into 2011.                                                             diversified approach to their portfolios. Why?
                                                                                      Because investing can be like a bowl of Rocky Road
The focus for emerging market economies continues                                     ice cream; rarely do you get a spoon full of just plain
to be squarely on China. Markets responded with                                       vanilla or only pure chocolate. Instead, plan for a mix
volatility to worries that the Chinese government                                     of both with a few marshmallows to get you excited,
would be too slow, or worse, too heavy-handed in                                      and a few nuts thrown in just to keep it interesting!
their efforts to moderate growth and avoid a housing
market bubble and/or run-away inflation. Consider
that China’s emergence as a major economic world
player is still in its early stages (relatively speaking),
with little precedents on how the Chinese government
is likely to proceed in managing their fast growing
economy. While the debate will no doubt rage on in
2011, China appears to be pursuing a moderate
approach to tightening lending standards – and

Copyright GLC, You may not reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use any of this article without the prior written consent of GLC Asset Management Group

The views expressed in this commentary are those of GLC Asset Management Group Ltd. (GLC) as at the date of publication and are subject
to change without notice. This commentary is presented only as a general source of information and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or
sell specific investments, nor is it intended to provide tax or legal advice. Prospective investors should review the offering documents relating to
any investment carefully before making an investment decision and should ask their advisor for advice based on their specific circumstances.

    GLC Asset Management Group                                                  2 of 2                                                        January 2011
 
 

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Market Matters Monthly Commentary Highlights 2010 Gains

  • 1.   January 2011  Market Matters - MONTHLY INVESTMENT COMMENTARY 2010 HIGHLIGHTS Table 1  Global equity markets ended on a high note in 2010, Summary of major market developments boosted by an improving investor confidence and positive Market Returns* Dec. Q4 2010 YTD global growth outlook. S&P/TSX Composite 3.8% 8.7% 14.4%  In the U.S., the second round of quantitative easing and S&P500 6.5% 10.2% 12.8% extended tax cuts helped to improve the outlook and - in C$ 3.2% 6.5% 6.2% sentiment for the U.S. economy – giving a year-end lift to MSCI EAFE 4.7% 5.2% 2.0% global equity markets. - in C$ 5.0% 3.1% -0.6%  European markets struggled more in 2010 under the MSCI Emerging Markets 4.4% 5.5% 11.7% weight of persistent sovereign debt worries, particularly in Greece and Ireland. DEX Bond Universe** 0.2% -0.7% 6.7% BBB Corporate Index** 0.3% -0.6% 9.5%  Bond markets were stronger through the middle of the *local currency (unless specified); price only year, but ended the year on a down note. **total return, Canadian bonds  The Canadian dollar rose close to 6% to end the year at parity with the US dollar. Other Price Levels/Change  Global growth and strong commodity prices all Level Q4 2010 YTD contributed to the strength of the Canadian dollar, USD per CAD $1.01 3.5% 5.8% including: Oil (West Texas)* $91.33 14.4% 15.2% o Gold up 29% Gold* $1,418 8.9% 29.3% o Copper up 31% CRB Industrials* $723.78 30.2% 56.8% o Nickel up 34% *U.S. dollars o Oil up 15% Table 2 HERE’S TO GOOD ENDINGS! Sector level results for the Canadian market Equity markets zigzagged their way along until late S&P/TSX sector returns* Dec. Q4 2010 YTD summer when markets finally caught some traction S&P/TSX 3.8% 8.7% 14.4% and moved upward to the end of 2010 (see table 1). The catalyst seemed to be the discussions about, and Energy 7.3% 12.8% 10.0% eventual announcement of, QE2 (another round of Materials 4.4% 14.1% 35.8% quantitative easing and asset purchases by the U.S. Industrials 3.3% 4.3% 14.4% central bank) targeted to boost economic activity and Consumer discretionary 2.7% 6.2% 21.8% recovery. This was soon reinforced by better than Consumer staples 2.6% 4.5% 8.3% expected third quarter corporate earnings and Health care 5.4% 8.8% 50.3% improved economic news out of the U.S. Once on Financials 2.1% 4.0% 6.3% track, the gains were impressive and equity markets Information technology -4.7% 13.1% -11.6% finished off 2010 with a strong rally. Telecom services -1.3% -0.8% 16.2% Utilities 2.3% 3.6% 12.6% THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABILITY *price only This past year, investors concerned themselves with Source: Bloomberg, MSCI Barra, NB Financial, PC Bond, RBC Capital Markets issues of sustainability:  Can the U.S. sustain its economic recovery, or While none of these worries have completely gone will it fall back into a double dip recession? away, the later part of 2010 shone a brighter light on  Can China sustain its fast-paced growth, or will the ability of countries to overcome these economic asset-bubbles and inflation be its Achilles heel? challenges.  Can the European Union sustain the financial pressure of its struggling members, like Greece Bond returns surprised many market watchers during and Ireland? the year, as demand for bonds remained high despite GLC Asset Management Group 1 of 2 January 2011    
  • 2.   the low yields and the significant periods of equity investor confidence tends to favour the “moderate market strength. However, in the last quarter of approach” when it comes to monetary policy. 2010, the improving economic picture did create a drag on bond prices, and the steady inflow of MATERIAL GAINS investors seeking the safety of fixed-income softened. Taking a closer look at the Canadian S&P/TSX in Overall, however, the results for the year were very 2010 (see table 2), we see the impressive results of respectable for fixed-income investors. the Materials sector – truly a driving force for the Canadian equity market this past year. As concerns North American equity markets managed some of the of a double-dip recession in the U.S. faded, the global strongest 2010 returns, thanks to strong earnings economic outlook improved and commodity prices results from corporations. This highlights that rallied. Precious metals, fertilizer products and base companies have cleaned up their balance sheets and metals all had very strong results in 2010, boosting have more or less fully recovered from the financial the commodity-heavy S&P/TSX, and adding to the crisis – a positive sign towards the eventual pick-up in appeal of our Canadian dollar. Stepping back further, employment. Likewise, the American consumer we can see that the cyclical sectors (like Energy and gradually showed signs of renewed life as evidenced Materials) were stronger than the defensive sectors by improved consumer spending. The good news on (like Utilities, Financials and Consumer Staples), and the U.S. front was quickly translated to good news for smaller companies (measured by capitalization size) Canada, improving our outlook for exports and for outperformed larger companies by a significant commodity demand in general. margin in 2010. Both results highlight that investors became more and more comfortable with taking on THE DRAGON AND THE PIIGS riskier assets in the improving economic environment. European markets on the other hand had a much more difficult time in 2010. Ongoing struggles with MAKING THE BEST OF A ROCKY ROAD sovereign debt continued to surface. As negative Looking forward into 2011, we believe the long-term headlines about Greece faded, worries over Ireland outlook for equity markets is reasonably optimistic, and the other peripheral countries (Spain, Italy, supported by strong corporate earnings, and an Portugal) emerged, disrupting investor confidence for improving situation for U.S. consumers and the U.S. much of 2010. However, as the year unfolded and economy (still a driving force for global economic the European Union dealt with each country’s crisis, health). Having said that, we do expect volatility to the challenges proved not to be game changers for remain high, making it important for investors to overall global growth - helping to ease investors’ consider the benefits of taking a long-term and concerns going into 2011. diversified approach to their portfolios. Why? Because investing can be like a bowl of Rocky Road The focus for emerging market economies continues ice cream; rarely do you get a spoon full of just plain to be squarely on China. Markets responded with vanilla or only pure chocolate. Instead, plan for a mix volatility to worries that the Chinese government of both with a few marshmallows to get you excited, would be too slow, or worse, too heavy-handed in and a few nuts thrown in just to keep it interesting! their efforts to moderate growth and avoid a housing market bubble and/or run-away inflation. Consider that China’s emergence as a major economic world player is still in its early stages (relatively speaking), with little precedents on how the Chinese government is likely to proceed in managing their fast growing economy. While the debate will no doubt rage on in 2011, China appears to be pursuing a moderate approach to tightening lending standards – and Copyright GLC, You may not reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use any of this article without the prior written consent of GLC Asset Management Group The views expressed in this commentary are those of GLC Asset Management Group Ltd. (GLC) as at the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. This commentary is presented only as a general source of information and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell specific investments, nor is it intended to provide tax or legal advice. Prospective investors should review the offering documents relating to any investment carefully before making an investment decision and should ask their advisor for advice based on their specific circumstances. GLC Asset Management Group 2 of 2 January 2011