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Quarterly Portfolio Fund update

What happened in financial markets during Q1 2024?

Stock and bond markets*

INDEX CLOSE Q1
S&P/TSX Composite 22,167.03 5.77%
Dow Jones Industrial Average 39,8077.37 5.62%
S&P 500 Index 5,254.35 10.16%
NASDAQ Composite 16,379.46 9.11%
10-year Canadian Bond Yield 3.49% 0.39%
10-year U.S. Treasury Yield 4.20% 0.32%
WTI Crude Oil (US$/barrel) $83.17 16.08%
Canadian Dollar US$ 0.7385 -2.20%
Bank of Canada Prime Rate 7.2%

*Performance ending March 28, 2024. Sources: Bloomberg.

Read Investment Update weekly for the latest information on the financial markets, insights around current headlines, special reports, and more.

How Portfolio Funds performed during Q1 2024

In Q1, all Portfolio Funds experienced positive results driven largely by rising equity markets during the quarter. Underlying funds with greater equity exposure continued to show strong returns in Q1, while fixed income funds were down slightly.

Note: Rates of return for each portfolio are provided on an after-fees (net) basis. Given that fees are only applied at the portfolio level, all references to underlying fund performance are before fees (gross).

Co-operators Income Portfolio: low risk

Designed to achieve interest income, and the preservation and moderate growth of capital, with low levels of volatility.

International and Canadian equity holdings contributed the most to overall positive performance through the quarter. The portfolio’s significant allocation to fixed income (approximately 80%) detracted from the overall return.

Investment Segmentation
  • Canadian Fixed Income 78.65%
  • Canadian Equity 9.79%
  • U.S. Equity 4.94%
  • International Equity 4.82%
  • Foreign Fixed Income 1.12%
  • Cash & Other Net Assets 0.68%
Rates of Return
Guarantee level Q1 1 year 3 year 5 year Since inception
Dec. 22, 2014
75-75 0.15% 3.34% -1.24% 0.45% 1.26%
75-100 0.12% 3.23% -1.35% 0.34% 1.15%
100-100 0.02% 2.84% -1.72% -0.04% 0.77%
Top 10 holdings
Co-operators Canadian Fixed Income Fund 30.04%
Co-operators BlackRock Canada Universe Bond Index Fund 30.04%
Co-operators Fidelity Canadian Bond Fund 20.01%
Co-operators Mawer Canadian Equity Fund
4.99%
Co-operators Canadian Equity Fund
4.98%
Co-operators Mawer International Equity Fund 4.97%
Co-operators BlackRock U.S. Equity Index Fund 2.49%
Co-operators U.S. Equity Fund
2.48%
The top 10 investments make up 100.00% of the fund.
Total number of investments: 8

Co-operators Balanced Income Portfolio: low to moderate risk

Designed to achieve both interest income and capital growth, with relatively low levels of volatility.

The international equity segment made the largest contribution to the overall positive return. Canadian fixed income, which represents the highest weighting within the portfolio, was the largest detractor.

navigator-balanced-income-portfolio-investment-segmentation-pie-chart
Investment Segmentation
  • Canadian Fixed Income 59.31%
  • Canadian Equity 19.59%
  • U.S. Equity 9.90%
  • International Equity 9.66%
  • Cash & Other Net Assets 0.95%
  • Foreign Fixed Income 0.59%
Rates of Return
Guarantee level Q1 1 year 3 year 5 year Since inception
Dec. 22, 2014
75-75 1.89% 6.07% 0.70% 2.24% 2.71%
75-100 1.85% 5.89% 0.53% 2.08% 2.55%
100-100 1.70% 5.27% -0.06% 1.48% 1.94%
Top 10 holdings
Co-operators Canadian Fixed Income Fund 25.06%
Co-operators BlackRock Canada Universe Bond Index Fund 25.05%
Co-operators Fidelity Canadian Bond Fund 10.02%
Co-operators Mawer Canadian Equity Fund
9.99%
Co-operators Canadian Equity Fund
9.97%
Co-operators Mawer International Equity Fund
9.95%
Co-operators BlackRock U.S. Equity Index Fund
4.99%
Co-operators U.S. Equity Fund
4.97%
The top 10 investments make up 100.00% of the fund.
Total number of investments: 8

Co-operators Balanced Growth Portfolio: low to moderate risk

Designed to achieve both interest income and capital growth, with relatively modest levels of volatility.

The international and Canadian equity segments made significant contributions to the overall positive performance through the quarter.

Investment Segmentation
  • Canadian Fixed Income 39.95%
  • Canadian Equity 33.45%
  • International Equity 14.59%
  • US Equity 10.64%
  • Cash & Other Net Assets 1.32%
  • Foreign Fixed Income 0.05%
Rates of Return
Guarantee level Q1 1 year 3 year 5 year Since inception
Dec. 22, 2014
75-75 3.41% 8.35% 2.64% 4.08% 4.04%
75-100 3.37% 8.17% 2.48% 3.91% 3.87%
100-100 3.22% 7.54% 1.87% 3.29% 3.26%
Top 10 holdings
Co-operators Canadian Fixed Income Fund 20.06%
Co-operators BlackRock Canada Universe Bond Index Fund 20.06%
Co-operators Canadian Equity Fund 14.97%
Co-operators Mawer International Equity Fund
14.95%
Co-operators Fidelity True North® Fund 9.99%
Co-operators Mawer Canadian Equity Fund
9.99%
Co-operators BlackRock U.S. Equity Index Fund 5.00%
Co-operators U.S. Equity Fund
4.98%
The top 10 investments make up 100.00% of the fund.
Total number of investments: 8

Co-operators Growth Portfolio: low to moderate risk

Designed to achieve long-term capital growth, with some interest income.

The international and Canadian equity segments contributed the most to overall positive performance in the quarter.

navigator-growth-portfolio-investment-segmentation-pie-chart
Investment Segmentation
  • Canadian Equity 43.43%
  • Canadian Fixed Income 20.01%
  • International Equity 18.05%
  • U.S. Equity 16.82%
  • Cash & Other Net Assets 1.66%
  • Foreign Fixed Income 0.03%
Rates of Return
Guarantee level Q1 1 year 3 year 5 year Since inception
Dec. 22, 2014
75-75 5.25% 11.34% 4.43% 5.94% 5.54%
75-100 5.21% 11.16% 4.26% 5.77% 5.37%
100-100 5.06% 10.50% 3.64% 5.14% 4.75%
Top 10 holdings
Co-operators Canadian Equity Fund 19.97%
Co-operators Mawer Canadian Equity Fund 15.00%
Co-operators Mawer International Equity Fund
14.95%
Co-operators Canadian Fixed Income Fund
10.04%
Co-operators BlackRock Canada Universe Bond Index Fund
10.04%
Co-operators Fidelity Global Fund
10.02%
Co-operators Fidelity True North® Fund
10.00%
Co-operators BlackRock U.S. Equity Index Fund
5.00%
Co-operators U.S. Equity Fund
4.98%
The top 10 investments make up 100.00% of the fund.
Total number of investments: 9

Co-operators Maximum Growth Portfolio: moderate risk

Designed to achieve maximum capital growth over the long term.

Performance from the international and Canadian equity segments, which represent approximately 75% of the portfolio’s weight, drove the portfolio’s overall positive performance in Q1.

Investment Segmentation
  • Canadian Equity 57.90%
  • US Equity 22.16%
  • International Equity 18.10%
  • Cash & Other Net Assets 1.81%
  • Canadian Fixed Income 0.03%
Rates of Return
Guarantee level Q1 1 year 3 year 5 year Since inception
Dec. 22, 2014
75-75 7.03% 14.28% 6.68% 8.03% 6.99%
75-100 6.97% 14.04% 6.45% 7.80% 6.76%
100-100 6.77% 13.19% 5.65% 6.99% 5.96%
Top 10 holdings
Co-operators Canadian Equity Fund 19.98%
Co-operators Fidelity True North® Fund
15.01%
Co-operators Mawer Canadian Equity Fund
15.01%
Co-operators Mawer International Equity Fund
14.96%
Co-operators BlackRock Canadian Equity Index Fund
10.03%
Co-operators Fidelity Global Fund 10.02%
Co-operators BlackRock U.S. Equity Index Fund 7.51%
Co-operators U.S. Equity Fund
7.48%
The top 10 investments make up 100.00% of the fund.
Total number of investments: 8

Key take-aways

It was a solid quarter for North American equity markets. U.S. equity values, in particular, surged by US$4 trillion. Corporate earnings played a key role, as did optimism that central banks will begin cutting interest rates in the second half of this year, which helped drive the positive returns on both sides of the border. Investors were particularly pleased when the U.S. Federal Reserve announced that it would maintain its outlook for three quarter-point rate cuts this year (which would be the first rate cuts since 2020). In early March, the Bank of Canada held its overnight policy rate at 5%. Like their American counterparts, it was the fifth-consecutive monetary policy meeting where Canadian officials opted to pause rate changes, though Canadian policymakers have been less inclined to commit to a rate-cutting forecast.

The value of financial advice
Working with a knowledgeable and experienced Co-operators financial representative means that you’ll get honest, straightforward answers to your investment questions. By looking at the big picture, and how your goals fit within it, they can help you design a financial roadmap that keeps you motivated and on track. Talk to us today to review – or get started on – your personalized plan.

Interested in more tips and insights? Check out our Market View page for investment basics and weekly updates on market performance. You can even sign-up to have this news sent directly to your inbox.

Sales charges, expenses, and other fees

Fees and expenses reduce the return on your investment. For details, please refer to your Policy and Information Folder.

Current rates of return are available on our Segregated Fund Performance page. Your personal rate of return will vary, depending on the contributions and withdrawals you make over time. For details, please refer to your Policy Statement.

If you have questions about your investments, contact your Co-operators financial representative.

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ABOUT THIS UPDATE: The commentary in this report is based on current market conditions and market media sources available to the public and may change without prior warning at any time. The forecasts provided herein are not guarantees of future performance and include risks, uncertainty and assumptions. While Co-operators Life Insurance Company (“The Co-operators”) believe these assumptions are reasonable, there is no guarantee they will be confirmed. This report is not a guarantee of future investment performance, nor should undue reliance be placed on this report. This report is provided as a general source of information for a specific point in time and should not be considered solicitation to buy or sell any investment. Nothing contained in this report constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice. The content in this report should not be relied upon in making an investment or other decision, and individuals should obtain relevant and specific professional advice and read the terms and conditions contained in the relevant offering documents carefully before any investment decision is made. Co-operators is not responsible for any loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information contained in this report. Co-operators makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained herein and does not guarantee its accuracy, timeliness, completeness or usefulness. Co-operators is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, accuracy and security of the personal information that we collect, use, retain and disclose in the course of conducting our business. Please visit cooperators.ca/privacy for more information. Co-operators® is a registered trademark of Co-operators Group Limited and is used with permission. Versatile Portfolios NavigatorTM and Investing in your future. Together.TM are trademarks of Co-operators Life Insurance Company. True North® is a registered trademark of Fidelity Investments Canada ULC and used with permission. Versatile Portfolios Navigator™ is an investment product offered by Co-operators Life Insurance Company which may include features or options such as segregated funds, portfolios of segregated funds or guaranteed rates. Guaranteed benefits are payable upon death or upon maturity (reduced proportionately by withdrawals from, or investment transfers out of, the segregated funds). No guarantee is provided upon surrender or cancellation. Subject to any applicable death and maturity guarantee, any part of the premium or other amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the policyholder and may increase or decrease in value. Ask your financial representative for details. Segregated funds and annuities are underwritten and administered by Co-operators Life Insurance Company. Not all products are available in all provinces. © 2024 Co-operators Life Insurance Company

If you have questions or want to discuss your investments, please contact your authorized financial representative.

Returns, investment segmentation and top holdings as of March 31, 2024. Rates of return for periods less than one year are simple rates of return. All others are annualized rates of return. Securities regulations do not allow us to report performance for a fund that has been available for less than one year. The returns reflect changes in unit value and assume that all income/realized net gains are retained by the segregated fund in the periods indicated and are reflected in higher unit values of the fund. The returns do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or other optional charges or income taxes payable that would have reduced returns or performance. Past performance of any fund is not necessarily indicative of its future performance.

ANY AMOUNT THAT IS ALLOCATED TO A SEGREGATED FUND IS INVESTED AT THE RISK OF THE CONTRACT HOLDERS AND MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE IN VALUE.

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The S&P/TSX Composite is a product of TSX Inc., its affiliates and/or their licensors and has been licensed for use by Co-operators Financial Services Limited. Copyright © 2024 TSX Inc. All Rights reserved. Neither TSX Inc., their affiliates, nor their third-party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy of market representation of any index, or the context from which they are drawn, and shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.