Canso Investment Counsel

Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. is an investment management firm specializing in the fundamental valuation of financial securities and the active management of investment portfolios. The company primarily focuses on fixed income strategies, particularly Canadian corporate bond portfolios, employing a deep, bottom-up fundamental research process and internal credit analysis. Their technical approach emphasizes security selection based on intrinsic risk and return, rather than market indices, prioritizing robust risk management.

The firm was founded in 1997 by John Carswell, who serves as its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. Carswell's background includes graduating from the Royal Military College, serving as an Air Force navigator, and earning an MBA from Queen's University. He established Canso with the insight that a disciplined, contrary investment approach and extensive experience in distressed debt analysis could provide substantial value through rigorous issuer examination and creditworthiness assessment.

Canso serves a diverse clientele, including sophisticated institutional investors such as major corporations, endowments, insurance companies, unions, and universities, as well as private investors. The company's mission is to consistently deliver superior investment performance and enduring returns to those who entrust them with capital, upholding a fiduciary duty to act in the long-term best interests of their clients.