BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

From record ETF inflows to a broadening AI story reshaping global equity markets, the investment landscape continues to evolve. In this episode, special guest Bipan Rai joins hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler to unpack his quarterly portfolio strategy, and what it all means for investor positioning as Q3 gets underway. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global A...

AI is driving the market, but is it still in the early innings, or has the rally already run too far? In this episode, special guest Jeremy Yeung joins hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler to break this down, including why the AI supply chain may present a more compelling opportunity than the hyperscalers, and what it takes to stay ahead in one of the fastest-moving sectors in the market today. Z...

Inflation remains an important consideration in portfolio construction, particularly as diversification within traditional financial assets can be less reliable across market environments. In this episode, special guest Brock Smusiak joins hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler to discuss how ETFs across commodities, gold and inflation-linked bonds can help address portfolio risks within that broad...

When it comes to accessing international equity, Canadian investors have options. In this episode, special guest Stephanie Ng joins hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler to unpack Canadian Depositary Receipts (CDRs)—what they are, how they work, and why they're a uniquely Canadian approach to global investing. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Mana...

Oil is high, volatility is low, and the Canadian dollar isn't behaving the way investors might expect. Bipan Rai welcomes Shaun Osborne, Chief Currency Strategist at Scotiabank, to discuss the forces driving USD/CAD, the outlook for global currencies, and why the next big move in foreign exchange may be hiding in plain sight. This podcast was recorded on June 8, 2026. Show link (Spotify): ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

From Nasdaq and FTSE Russell to MSCI, the rules governing index inclusion are being rewritten in real time. In this episode, Matt Montemurro joins hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler to unpack where the guardrails are bending, what SpaceX’s landmark IPO means for passive investors—and why the index you own may determine the exposure you get. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distrib...

In this episode, Darim Abdullah joins hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler to unpack why not all US equity exposure is created equal—from the mechanics of concentration risk in market cap weighted indices, to how equal weighting canbroaden a portfolio’s return drivers and reduce reliance on a handful of mega cap names. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asse...

Why are pensions, insurers and family offices increasingly turning to ETFs—not just tactically, but at the core of portfolio construction? Bipan Rai sits down with Daniel Stanley, head of institutional sales and services at BMO Global Asset Management, to discuss liquidity, “portable alpha”, fixed income ETFs and how institutions are revising the active-versus-passive debate. This podcast was reco...

In this episode, host Zayla Saunders and guest Sheldon Quan King from MSCI Canada explore why index choice is itself an investment decision—from how index construction methodology shapes investor outcomes, to the case for international small and mid cap equities, and the growing role of equal weight strategies in reducing concentration risk. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribut...

In this episode, Erika Toth and Hilly Cutler sit down with host Zayla Saunders to break down the rise of asset allocation ETFs in Canada: from their origins and evolution over the past decade to the fee innovations, flow trends, and real-world portfolio use cases shaping the space today. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is jo...

Canadian investors are facing a complicated macro setup: a softer labour market, sticky inflation risks, tariff uncertainty and a bond market still trying to price the Bank of Canada’s next move. In this episode, Bipan is joined by TD Securities’ Andrew Kelvin to unpack what the latest data means for portfolios, discuss the rates outlook, yield curve, fixed income currency risk and more. This podc...

In this episode, Hilly Cutler joins host Zayla Saunders to unpack what ETF flows are revealing as we move through 2026 — the shift toward low-cost indexing, which Canadian sectors are leading the charge, and how rising yields are reshaping the bond landscape. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Hilly Cutler, Directo...

Both the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve held rates steady last week — but the real story was in the details. In this episode, Saakshi Mehta and host, Zayla Saunders, unpack the messaging behind the holds, what the Fed's newleadership could mean for markets, and why a 60-20-20 portfolio approach is worth a closer look right now. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distri...

The federal deficit came in better than expected for fiscal 2025-26, but the path forward remains wide. Robert Kavcic,senior economist with BMO Capital Markets joins Bipan to break down the 2026 Spring Economic Update, including how Ottawa used its extra fiscal room, what the new sovereignwealth fund could mean in practice, and how Canada's fiscal position stacks up against its G7 peers. This...

In this episode, host Zayla Saunders sits down with Roxane Lapenna to break down the mechanics behind the covered call ETF shelf: from option premium and cash flow generation to the realities of NAV erosion and what it all means for your portfolio. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Roxane Lapenna, Head of Retail I...

Private credit is under pressure—but how concerned should investors be? Bipan is joined by Mark Jarosz, head of credit alternatives at BMO Global Asset Management, to break down default data, liquidity and retail flows. They explore why institutional capital remains steady, how today’s market differs from the Global Financial Crisis, and what’s actually driving volatility beneath the headlines. Th...

In this episode, Matt Montemurro joins host Zayla Saunders to pull back the curtain on BMO’s asset allocation ETF suite —from benchmark methodology and portfolio construction to the tax efficiency decisions often overlooked by everyday investors. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Matt Montemurro, Head of Fixed Inc...

From shifting macro regimes to growing stagflation risks, the investment landscape continues to change. In this episode, special guest Bipan Rai and hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler discuss central bank divergence, the evolving role of commodities, and what it all means for portfolio construction and positioning in the year ahead.  Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution a...

What's really moving credit markets in 2026? In this episode, Mark Jarosz joins host Acushla Vestby to cut through the headlines — breaking down where the opportunities lie, what risks to watch, and how credit alternatives fit into today's portfolios. Acushla Vestby is Head of Structured Solutions and National Accounts at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Mark Jarosz,...

From energy shocks and bond market tension to the surprising behaviour of gold and global equities, Bipan is joined by Brent Joyce, chief investment strategist for BMO Private Wealth to explore how investors can stay grounded when markets are moving seemingly minute-by-minute. The pair discuss how disciplined portfolio construction beats reactive decisions, carrying investors through the uncertain...

What are ETF flows revealing as Q1 draws to a close? In this episode, Bipan Rai and Matt Montemurro join host, Erika Toth, to break down the latest industry and positioning data — and what it all means for investors looking to stay ahead of the curve. Erika Toth is Director and Head of ETFs and Portfolio Consulting at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Bipan Rai, Head of ETF S...

The Iran energy crisis will have an uneven impact on an already fragile Canadian economy. Royce Mendes, head of macro strategy at Desjardins Capital Markets, joins Bipan to discuss where risks are most acute, and how central bank policymakers may respond. This podcast was recorded live on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Show link (Spotify): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/54bsOfP7M4a6IMujUzRyBK ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sh...

When markets turn, is your portfolio built to hold up? In this episode, Hilly Cutler and Bipan Rai join host, Tasha Konkin, to explore defensive investing — covering dividend, quality, low-volatility, and long-short strategies, and how they can help investors stay resilient in any market environment.  Tasha Konkin is Director of ETFs for Western Canada at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She...

What might recent AI developments mean for your investment portfolio? In this episode, Malcolm White joins host Zayla Saunders to explore the pace of innovation and the potential spending shifts emerging from the most recent earnings season — and why the ripple effects may be worth paying attention to, wherever you're invested.  Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BM...

After a muted initial reaction to the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran and risk that the conflict may rapidly widen, energy markets have started pricing in darker scenarios. In this episode, Bipan is joined by TD Securities commodities strategist Daniel Ghali, where the pair discuss the extent to which crude prices may rise further, as well as implications for the broader global commodities complex. Th...