As markets prepare for an economic reopening, our experts, Chris McHaney and Alfred Lee, put the spotlight on near- to long-term growth opportunities. In this episode, they discuss sectors that are best positioned to lead equity trades through 2021. They also lay out fixed income solutions to respond to further steepening in the yield curve. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Chris McHaney and Alfred Lee, Port...
Apr 29, 2021•34 min
Putting the focus on income, Chris Heakes and Matt Montemurro discuss the impact of interest rate volatility on high yield exposures, and how investment grade bonds and mortgage-backed securities could offer the twin benefits of better credit quality and greater downside protection. They also hone in on banks, dividend and covered call strategies. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Chris Heakes and Matt Montem...
Apr 22, 2021•36 min
With the Federal Reserve remaining unchanged on its stance on inflation in the wake of an economic recovery, what are the most pressing concerns for investors and how should they prepare? Alfred Lee and Danielle Neziol discuss the implications of the supply-demand imbalance, and reliable indicators to watch for. They also look at ETF strategies to hedge against inflation across both fixed income and equity portfolios, from US TIPs and real return bonds to base metals and oil. Danielle Neziol is ...
Apr 19, 2021•21 min
As the earnings season kicks off this week, our experts, Chris McHaney and Alfred Lee examine the trendlines impacting client portfolios – from high valuations and the possibility of further upside in equity markets, to the moves in 5-year bonds and the opportunities to enhance fixed income allocations. They also highlight the strong buying opportunity in emerging markets and provide an outlook on investment grade bonds. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global As...
Apr 15, 2021•32 min
With equity markets showing no signs of slowing down, Advisors may be considering various tactics to ride the highs. In this episode, Chris Heakes and Matt Montemurro explain the benefits of staying true to one’s asset allocation strategy, and banking on tried-and-tested factor pairings. They also offer fixed income solutions to counter negative bond yields in the near term. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by ...
Apr 08, 2021•31 min
The chaos on Wall Street following the Archegos Capital debacle sheds new light on the risks that non-regulated investment strategies hold. In this episode, Alfred Lee and Mark Raes outline the benefits of ETFs as a prudent choice for investing in alternatives. They also discuss special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) ETFs and whether they have what it takes to enhance client portfolios. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on...
Apr 01, 2021•30 min
With the Bank of Canada announcing its plans to taper asset purchases, Advisors may be wondering how best to position client portfolios to meet their investment targets. In this episode, Chris Heakes, Alfred Lee and Mark Raes, discuss equity and bond strategies that are poised to benefit from an economic rebound, and play against the headwinds of rising rates. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Chris Heakes an...
Mar 25, 2021•25 min
The proposed merger of Rogers and Shaw is touted to be Canada’s biggest telecom deal in two decades. What does it mean for investors? According to our experts, Chris McHaney, Matt Montemurro and Mark Raes, it’s a strong opportunity to build on the low-volatility exposure that often serves as a core holding in client portfolios. They also outline inflation-hedging strategies, and solutions to address a steepening yield curve. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Globa...
Mar 18, 2021•36 min
Clean energy is having a global moment – one that’s forecasted to reshape energy markets for years to come. With low costs and broad diversification, the BMO Clean Energy Index ETF (ZCLN) offers a comfortable way for investors to take part in the sudden growing demand for renewable technologies. In this episode, Chris Heakes and Danielle Neziol, provide context for the tailwinds driving this megatrend, and explain how it can easily integrate into client portfolios. Danielle Neziol is a Product S...
Mar 15, 2021•19 min
As markets return to normal levels this week, Chris Heakes, Alfred Lee and Mark Raes suggest using the calm to consider longer-term solutions, such ESG and autonomous technology ETFs, which not only steer clear of temporary corrections but also promise strong growth. They also discuss efficient strategies to gain from high yield bonds. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Chris Heakes and Alfred Lee, two Portfol...
Mar 11, 2021•32 min
Volatility in fixed income markets is expected to worsen in the near term, as investors anticipate rising rates on the back of an imminent economic recovery. In this episode, Chris McHaney, Matt Montemurro and Mark Raes offer valuable solutions to utilize credit spreads and reduce duration risk in the event of negative returns over the coming months. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Chris McHaney and Matt Mo...
Mar 04, 2021•31 min
Both equity and bond markets have taken interesting turns in the past week, from the fluctuations in tech stocks to the rise in 10-year Treasury yields. In this episode, Alfred Lee, Chris Heakes and Mark Raes explain how Advisors can help clients to stay on course with strategies that are designed to withstand short-term corrections, and benefit from a reopening trade. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Alfred...
Feb 25, 2021•30 min
From clean energy to automation and genomics, technological advancements are ushering in an era of unprecedented change across sectors. In this episode, Chris McHaney and Danielle Neziol offer a bird’s-eye view of the biggest Megatrends shaping investor opportunities, and explain why the time to invest in the future is now. Danielle Neziol is a Product Specialist at BMO Global Asset Management. She is joined on the podcast by Chris McHaney, an ETF Specialist and Portfolio Manager specializing in...
Feb 23, 2021•23 min
As U.S. equities seem out of reach with valuations reaching an all-time high, it may be a good time to look for alternatives. In this episode, Chris McHaney, Matt Montemurro and Mark Raes look homeward for reasonably-priced stocks and growth opportunities. They also point to emerging markets and ESG, as hard-to-ignore strategies for portfolio diversification. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Chris McHaney an...
Feb 18, 2021•33 min
While the delayed vaccine roll-out is putting a dampener on economic reopening efforts, the potential for inflation is still at hand. In this episode, Alfred Lee, Chris Heakes and Mark Raes, outline fixed income strategies that can protect client portfolios. Putting into context the impact of elevated volatility levels, they also discuss the state of factor rotations, giving their top solutions to enhance yields. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Mana...
Feb 11, 2021•34 min
While the unusual market shake-ups this week may be triggering a frenzy, they are at best short-lived. In fact, beyond the near-term horizon, there are valuable opportunities to earn and protect client portfolios. In this episode, Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney and Mark Raes provide a round-up of new, hard-to-ignore ETF strategies that leverage renewables, US Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), and technology-focused covered calls. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Produc...
Jan 28, 2021•36 min
Investors are showing renewed interest in lowering risk, as vaccine delays and economic headwinds stand in the way of a full rebound. In this podcast, Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney and Mark Raes offer Advisors a broad range of strategies to anchor client portfolios, including premium yield and corporate bonds. They also share their outlook on REITs and healthcare, as well as introduce BMO’s new suite of disruptive technology ETFs, due to be launched this month. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is...
Jan 21, 2021•34 min
For globally diversified investors, currency is an important factor in optimizing returns and improving diversification. In this episode, Chris Heakes and Danielle Neziol debate hedged versus un-hedged ETFs, and why it makes sense to build some exposure to USD within your client portfolios. Danielle Neziol is a Product Specialist at BMO Global Asset Management. She is joined on the podcast by Chris Heakes, an ETF Specialist and Portfolio Manager specializing in equities and derivatives strategie...
Jan 18, 2021•20 min
As political turmoil and the pandemic rock North America, equity markets continue to remain unfazed. Even so, the path to recovery is not likely to be straight. So, how can Advisors prepare for the unknowns? In this episode, Chris Heakes, Matt Montemurro, and Mark Raes, provide solutions such as US banks and small-caps, which offer strong complements to the still dominant technology theme. Within fixed income, our experts talk about portfolio insulation, using long-term bond and preferred share ...
Jan 14, 2021•29 min
Although mega-cap companies like Amazon and Alphabet dominated returns in 2020, positive news related to vaccines opened the door for a rotation to small and mid-cap stocks. In this episode, Chris Heakes and Danielle Neziol zero in on the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600®, two lesser known benchmarks within the U.S. equity universe. They look at the diversification benefits available through those areas, as well as the heightened upside potential from accepting marginally more risk. ...
Dec 21, 2020•18 min
In our final Views from the Desk episode for 2020, our experts take a no holds barred look at what to expect in the new year. Listen to Chris Heakes, Chris McHaney and host, Mark Raes, give their predictions on equities, fixed income, and the likely winners in a reopening trade. They also explain why Advisors should watch exchange rates, and protect their client portfolios from a strengthening loonie. As for their favourite ETFs for 2021, the experts go global to access the best companies across...
Dec 17, 2020•35 min
The past week has seen more positive vaccine news, but also a stalemate in US stimulus talks – tempering markets with both confidence and caution. In this episode, Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney and Kevin Prins examine the forces at play and offer a range of income and growth solutions while they wait for the fog to clear. They also discuss the new index changes to select BMO ETFs, which guarantee largely the same exposure at an optimized cost. Read the episode summary. Kevin Prins is the Managing Di...
Dec 10, 2020•35 min
As equity markets sway according to daily news and macroeconomic trends, investors have a choice to manage the volatility – or gain from it. In today’s podcast, Alfred Lee, Chris Heakes and Mark Raes zone in on VIX-proofing the portfolio with innovative strategies that generate income, such as covered calls. And looking at the long-term, our experts also make the case for gold and preferred shares as useful hedges against inflation. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at B...
Dec 03, 2020•32 min
After a streak of good news – including three potential vaccines, the Biden transition and several well-received cabinet appointments – is it finally time for investors to stop playing defense? In today’s podcast, Mark Raes, Alfred Lee and Chris Heakes discuss tactical positions that are hard to ignore in the current rally. In particular, our experts provide insights on Small-cap and Value ETFs that are showing real promise amid a slow economic recovery, as well preferred shares which offer prot...
Nov 26, 2020•36 min
The past week has seen ground-breaking news in the fight against the pandemic, and the markets are cheering on. For Advisors considering whether to capture those vaccine-inspired gains, our experts, Mark Raes, Alfred Lee and Chris McHaney, have one piece of advice – stay the course on defensive growth. In this podcast, we hear the benefits of Quality ETFs and Government Bonds as reliable bets, while the roadblocks – rising cases of COVID-19, unemployment, lacklustre economic growth – all stand i...
Nov 19, 2020•32 min
Despite lingering uncertainty over the US election, markets broke to new highs this week as Pfizer announced a vaccine that is 90% effective for treating COVID-19. Some sectors rallied, other lagged behind – and the factor reversal was historic. For help sorting the wheat from the chaff, Mark Raes, Chris Heakes and Matt Montemurro discuss which ETF strategies are poised for success in this tumultuous investing landscape. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global As...
Nov 12, 2020•33 min
Since the market crash in the spring 2020, equity indexes have recovered to record highs. However, the gains have been concentrated in “new economy” companies, leaving banks, energy and REITs trailing behind. As the year-end approaches, Danielle Neziol and Alfred Lee outline Tax-Loss Harvesting strategies to leverage on these underperforming sectors, which can help offset taxes payable on the more successful parts of the portfolio. Danielle Neziol is a Product Specialist at BMO Global Asset Mana...
Nov 10, 2020•16 min
Election day is passed, but the uncertainty is far from over. In today’s timely episode, Brian Belski, Jon Adams and Mark Raes comb through the results and map out strategies for assets across the investment universe. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Brian Belski, Chief Investment Strategist at BMO Capital Markets, and Jon Adams, a Chicago-based Portfolio Manager at BMO Global Asset Management. The episode was recorded live on Novemb...
Nov 04, 2020•31 min
Mere days away from the U.S. elections, the guessing game is on. Who will win the White House? To weather the storm, Mark Raes, Alfred Lee and Chris Heakes offer a defensive approach that can convert election uncertainty into consistent portfolio returns. Our experts also discuss the Q4 BMO Fixed Income and ETF Guided Strategy Reports, where they make the case for a departure from the traditional 60/40 portfolio, and suggest embracing hybrid assets as part of the investment mix. Read the episode...
Oct 29, 2020•38 min
Canadian banks have historically been a trusted source of yield and growth in client portfolios, generating a total annualized return-to-date of 12% across the past 25 years. Despite this impressive track record, the sector has faced some headwinds in 2020 – a weak economy, low interest rates, soaring loan loss provisions – and valuations look compelling. In this special edition of Deep Dive, Danielle Neziol and Chris Heakes take a closer look at the entire North American banking universe, offer...
Oct 27, 2020•20 min
