With global markets under-performing, wise investors are turning away from flat equities, bland bonds and moribund funds.

They believe it makes more sense to build absolute returns into their financial future.

To help you take advantage of this trend, the Berkshire 11th Avenue Investment team is now focused on many alternative investments which have only recently become available on a retail basis, such as: Business Development Bank of Canada Managed Futures Notes, series N-7.

Richard Tanner, left, and Randy Yozipovic build value into investments.

If you're among the thousands of Albertans still smarting from painful losses in equities or mutual funds, the appeal of BDC Managed Futures Notes will be as hard to miss as the red ink on your last statement.

The Business Development Bank of Canada Notes offer you:

1. Participation in hard assets: gold, oil, gas, currency and other commodities.

2. The opportunity to take advantage of the diversified skills of eight highly motivated management teams, whose compensation is directly pro-rated according to the performance of your investment.

3. Superior, risk-adjusted performance combined with a minimum of volatility, plus the potential to do well whether markets rise or fall.

4. A guarantee of investment principal and a guaranteed eight-per-cent total yield, if held to maturity (seven years, 11 months). These notes are fully backed by the full faith and credit of the Bank of Canada.

Truth be told, if held to maturity, the eight per cent minimum we mentioned actually represents a worst-case scenario.

"The upside is that the eight managers underlying this product have generated a pro forma annual 18.71 per cent rate of return NET of all fees, over the last five years," explained Randy Yozipovic of the Berkshire Investment Group. (Source: Tricylce Asset Management Historical Performance Review.)

Attractive results like those make the strongest case of all.

BDC Managed Futures are among a line of alternative
investment strategies available at Berkshire Investment Group Inc., with Calgary offices at Suite 1100, 333 - 11th Avenue S.W.

Known as "absolute return" strategies, such products are never more valuable than during extended bear markets, because they guarantee a positive yield if held to maturity.

And this Berkshire team does not believe in sugar-coating harsh realities: "This bear market could have some life in it yet . . . similar to the extended bear market of the early 1970s," estimated Richard Tanner, a 22-year veteran in the investment business.

Mr. Tanner and Mr. Yozipovic strongly believe alternative
investments such as Managed Futures represent a tax-efficient asset class, which can reduce overall risk when added in moderation to a portfolio.

"It's a great way to build in guarantees while also making sure you enjoy a significant upside," Mr. Yozipovic explained.

Although the Berkshire Investment Group Inc.’s 11th Avenue branch believes there remains a significant place for stocks and mutual funds within every balanced portfolio, there's hard evidence to back Canadians’ belief that the bloom is off the fund boom.
Canadians have poured more than $400 billion into a mutual-fund market that appears to have frustrated investors.

Meanwhile, Canadian interest rates have fallen about as low as they can go.

At least in the short term, they're likely to keep going sideways – hardly an ideal situation for maximizing profits from traditional investment vehicles.

That's why Mr. Tanner and Mr. Yozipovic believe the time has never been more ripe for alternative strategies.

"We think the best we can expect from the equity markets right now is sideways movement or a slight improvement as uncertainty continues. Because of this, we believe that investors must have REAL
diversification beyond traditional stocks, bonds and mutual funds," said Mr. Tanner.

“One way to achieve this is through an alternative asset class . . . like managed futures. The fact that the BDC notes are guaranteed is a welcome bonus!"

Not that they advocate the wholesale dumping of mutual funds.

However, pension-fund consultants do recommend tempering your portfolio with a healthy dose of alternative strategies, such as the Business Development Bank of Canada Managed Futures Notes, series N-7.

Richard Tanner and Randy Yozipovic welcome the
opportunity to tell you more about similar products able to bring renewed vigour to your investment portfolio.

They invite you to make an appointment for an in-person consultation by dialing the Calgary office at 403.234.8540 or by using this toll-free number: 1.800.566.4899.

With a boost from the Berkshire Investment Group Inc., you've finally got the chance to inject better returns into your long or short-term financial future.