BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

Following a red-hot inflation print earlier this week, many investors opted for an immediate sell-off, creating turbulence in the markets. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Matt Montemurro, and your host, Mark Raes, anticipate the Federal Reserve’s response. They also discuss opportunities to hedge outside of gold, positioning equities in a barbell approach, and finding the best b...

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley dive into third quarter results from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing recent stock performance, bank yields, the benefits of liquidity, and the impact of falling housing prices. Daniel Stanley is an ETF Specialist at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by Chris Heakes, Portfolio Manager and ETF Specialist,...

As the Bank of Canada once again raises interest rates—and indicates that more hikes are likely on the way—what’s the outlook for fixed income? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Chris McHaney, and your host, Kevin Prins, break down the market’s expectations. They also discuss ETF flows, geographic allocation, and currencies. Read the episode summary. Kevin Prins is the Managing...

With inflation potentially having peaked, could central banks start to lower interest rates sooner than expected? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Charles Myssie, Matt Montemurro, and your host, Mark Raes, break down the cases for a bullish vs. a bearish outlook. They also discuss market volatility, high yield bonds, and Canadian banks. Read the episode summary.   Mark Raes is the Head of Pr...

Despite Canada’s inflation easing slightly in July, investors are not out of the woods yet. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Matt Montemurro, and your host, Mark Raes, scrutinize the markets’ mini rally. They also discuss the importance of asset allocation in fixed income investments, the rebalancing process, gold prices, and strategies for preserving capital come the fall. Rea...

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate voted on the Inflation Reduction Act, a historic and significant health care, tax, and climate bill. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Chris Heakes, and your host, Kevin Prins, unpack the legislation and gauge the markets’ reactions to the news. They also look at redefining the word “recession,” exposure to tech with a large cap growth strateg...

This week, the Fed raised its key interest rate by another 75 basis points. As we teeter between a soft and hard landing, could this aggressive move tip the scales? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Matt Montemurro, and your host, Mark Raes, discuss how the market seems to be striking off bad news. They also look at mid-year tax-loss selling, a big week for Nasdaq companies, and a...

After a volatile start to the year, headline risk stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and COVID-19 takes a backseat to sticky inflation. As a result, investors are faced with a potential economic slowdown unlike any seen before. How should they prepare? In this episode, Alfred Lee and Erika Toth discuss the latest quarterly Portfolio Strategy and Fixed Income Strategy Reports, including...

Under the cloud of a potential recession, investors are looking for shorter-term solutions, such as money market ETFs, to weather the storm with rate protection. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney, and your host, Kevin Prins, discuss which direction the sideways market will go. They also look at income-oriented solutions, oil and gas markets, and Canadian housing. Rea...

This week, the Bank of Canada surprised markets by raising interest rates by a whopping 100 basis points. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes and Matt Montemurro, as well as your host, Mark Raes, discuss how central banks so badly misjudged inflation and what it means for the chances of an economic downturn. They also look at short-term bonds, energy, U.S. equity markets, and ESG i...

With a possible recession on the horizon, investors are wondering if there are similarities between the current environment and economic downturns in 2008 and 2020. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Alfred Lee, and your host, Mark Raes, discuss what makes this situation different. They also look at the yield curve, mortgage-backed securities, dividend ETFs, and Canadian banks....

Last week, the Fed raised its key interest rate by 75 basis points, prompting speculation that a similar move by the Bank of Canada may be on the horizon. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Chris Heakes, and your host, Mark Raes, break down what that could mean for the fixed income market. They also discuss corporate bond spreads, dividend ETF strategies, volatility, and the u...

Last week, U.S. inflation numbers came in higher than expected, causing the S&P 500 to officially enter bear market territory. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney, and your host, Mark Raes, discuss potential catalysts for a stock market rebound, as well as bond yields, low-volatility strategies, fintech, and gold equities. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Hea...

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley dive into second quarter results from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing their outlook for Financials, how banks weather uncertainty, metrics that can help gauge the economy’s strength, and real estate. They also look at strategies to hedge against inflation, including the BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (ZDV) and the BMO Canadian Hig...

Central banks are laser focused on tackling inflation, but even with their aggressive approach, could it persist longer than markets are expecting? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Chris Heakes, and your host, Mark Raes, discuss inflation-linked ETF strategies, as well as U.S. equities and banks, energy, and the portfolio construction and performance of Z-B-I, BMO’s Canadian...

Interest rate hikes, the Ontario provincial election, and the stock market’s recent rebound have all been making headlines this week. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney and Matt Montemurro and your host, Mark Raes, round up the latest news and discuss expectations for inflation and further interest rate increases. They also look at provincial bonds, global infrastructure, and Can...

As market volatility persists and concerns about a recession grow, how will central banks respond? In today’s episode, Chris Heakes, Alfred Lee, and your host, Mark Raes, discuss ways for investors to manage these uncertainties, including covered call and low-volatility strategies. They also look at the bond market, widening yield spreads, and performance across the cap spectrum. Read the episode...

With U.S. inflation remaining near a 40-year high, is a 75-basis-point interest rate hike a real possibility? In today’s episode, Matt Montemurro, Chris McHaney, and your host, Mark Raes, discuss the Fed’s messaging as well as inflation’s impact on TIPS ETFs, volatility and call writing, oil prices, and the U.S. health care sector. Read the episode summary.   Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BM...

With interest rates rising and high inflation persisting, is a recession inevitable? In today’s episode, Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney, and our host, Kevin Prins, look at some of the cautionary signs. They also discuss whether equity markets have bottomed out, the challenges of trying to time the market, and strategies for investors with a lower risk appetite. Read the episode summary.   Kevin Prins i...

This week, we’re opening up the mailbag as our experts answer questions from Advisors and provide updates on several BMO ETFs. Listen in as Chris Heakes, Alfred Lee, and our host, Mark Raes, discuss the use of ETFs as portfolio rebalancing tools, positioning in international equity markets, the REITs sector, and low-volatility ETF strategies. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Prod...

The purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk has dominated the news cycle, but what will the knock-on effects be for Tesla and the tech sector in general? In today’s episode, Mark Raes, Chris McHaney, and Matt Montemurro discuss that question as well as the flattening interest rate curve, tax-loss harvesting opportunities, Canadian banks, and dividend ETFs. Read the episode summary.   Mark Raes is the Hea...

Last week, the Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate by 50 basis points, its biggest hike in over two decades. In today’s episode, Mark Raes, Alfred Lee, and Chris Heakes discuss expectations for the rest of the year and implications for bond markets, as well as inflation, the construction and evaluation of ESG products, the metals market, and high-yield bond strategies. Read the episode sum...

Given ongoing uncertainties around interest rates, inflation, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, what approach should Advisors and investors be taking when it comes to portfolio construction? In this episode, Alfred Lee and Erika Toth discuss the latest quarterly Portfolio Strategy and Fixed Income Strategy Reports, including asset allocation considerations, the outlook for the Energy, Banks, and Re...

This week, the U.S. annual inflation rate reached 8.5%, its highest level in over 40 years. What impact will that have on the bond market? In today’s episode, Mark Raes, Chris McHaney, and Matt Montemurro discuss that question as well as the Nasdaq-100, Russian equities, preferred shares, and gold. Read the episode summary.   Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is j...

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to dominate headlines, ESG investing has also been in the spotlight. In today’s episodes, Mark Raes, Chris Heakes, and Alfred Lee discuss that topic as well as interest rates, long-term bonds, covered call and income strategies, and oil. Read the episode summary.   Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast...