BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

Looking beyond the vaccine hype, the healthcare industry remains a bright spot of the current market, offering growth-oriented investors access to companies on the frontier of medicine. In this episode, Alfred Lee and Danielle Neziol examine opportunities around genomic innovations and other long-term drivers, taking a closer look at multiple ways to benefit from these new and exciting trends, fro...

As volatility continues to grip equity markets, investors may find it challenging to look beyond the short-term uncertainty to the calm on the other side. Even so, our experts, Chris Heakes and Chris McHaney, believe the best course of action is to trust in the fundamentals of sound investing. They recommend longer-term bets such as clean energy, as well as small caps and preferred shares for tact...

Fears of rising inflation are throwing equity markets off balance as investors play out the full extent of a reopening trade. With prices ticking up faster than expected, Mark Raes, Chris McHaney and Alfred Lee deliver context for the rotation into Value and Industrials, and offer key trade ideas to efficiently gain exposure. Our experts also dive into the yield spread between 10 and 30-year Treas...

The statements from the Fed this week have perhaps put inflation risk at the top of investor concerns. However, our experts, Chris Heakes and Matt Montemurro, point out that Advisors still have time to build protections in their client portfolios through a range of prudent strategies, including U.S. TIPS, base metals and other cyclical sector allocations, accessible through Canadian equity solutio...

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 Prod...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 summ...

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 t...

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 Ra...

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 addre...

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 megat...

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...

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...

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. M...

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. S...

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 i...

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...

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 (TI...

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...

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 Chr...

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...

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 t...

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 loo...