Canada is a resource-rich nation, and such stocks make up about half the S&P/TSX Index. Yet “resources are only really meant to be 5%-to-10% of your portfolio,” says Craig Porter, fund manager at Front Street Capital. So when tides change for resource stocks, they change for our economy.

The best way to achieve results in unstable markets is to intensify individual equity analysis, says David Graham, vice president and portfolio manager at CIBC Global Asset Management. “Investors need to look at hard, meaningful data,” instead of following newspaper headlines, he says.

Canadian corporate bonds are a good choice for 2012, due to our current, extended low interest rate environment.

Market volatility, while intimidating, can be a signal that it’s time to look for investment opportunities. But, which companies and investments should you consider?

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has pushed the country to take a serious look at both personal and national finances, says David Graham, vice president portfolio manager at CIBC Global Asset Management. As a result, we’re in a better position than most developed countries.