BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

In this deep-dive episode, Portfolio manager Chris McHaney, and your host, McKenzie Box, delve into Buffer ETFs—starting with the fundamentals, including how they work and where they fit into portfolios. They also provide comprehensive scenarios for various market conditions. The episode was recorded live on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. ETFs mentioned in the podcast: ZJAN - BMO US Equity Buffer He...

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged on Wednesday—hinting cuts aren’t coming soon. In today’s U.S.-centric episode, portfolio managers Winnie Jiang, Chris McHaney, and your host, Erika Toth, analyze the latest economic data. They also discuss the upcoming presidential election, fixed income positioning and factor exposures. Erika Toth is a Director of ETF Distribution at BMO ETFs. She is joine...

In the Bank of Canada’s latest announcement, the tone seems to have shifted in a new direction. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Chris Heakes, and your host, McKenzie Box, explore what’s next for monetary policy. They also discuss Tech stocks, volatility and what another Trump term could mean for markets. McKenzie Box is Director of Product and Strategy at BMO Global Asset M...

Despite turbulent markets in 2023, the ETF industry continues to thrive, providing Canadian Investors with new options for growth. Portfolio manager Alfred Lee and your host, McKenzie Box, take a deep dive into the themes driving demand and the benefits ETFs have to various user types. Read the episode summary. McKenzie Box is Director of Product and Strategy at BMO Global Asset Management. The ep...

In this episode, the team discusses the latest quarterly Portfolio Strategy Report (QSR) and Fixed Income Strategy Report (FISR), which examine interest rate expectations, the Technology sector, U.S. and Canadian banks, a barbell strategy to add duration, and portfolio positioning for 2024. The episode was recorded live on Thursday, December 21, 2023. BMO ETF Portfolio Strategy Report – Q1 2024 BM...

As the year draws to a close, Portfolio Manager Alfred Lee, and your host, McKenzie Box, look back on the industry trends and themes that shaped 2023. In today’s episode, they discuss fixed income’s comeback, inflation, AI, gold, Canadian banks and cash. McKenzie Box is Director of Product and Strategy at BMO Global Asset Management. She is joined on the podcast by Alfred Lee, a Portfolio Manager...

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley take a deep dive into the fourth quarter earnings from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing the highs and lows from recent results. They also explore tax loss selling, a potential mortgage renewal crunch, accelerator ETFs, earnings per share (EPS) estimates, and proposed regulatory changes out of the U.S. Daniel Stanley is an ETF...

In a long-awaited ruling, Canada’s banking regulator cracked down on high-interest savings account ETFs at the end of October. Portfolio manager Matt Montemurro, and your host, McKenzie Box, take a deep dive into the stricter liquidity rules and what could happen when the new requirements take effect in January. McKenzie Box is Director of Product and Strategy at BMO Global Asset Management. She i...

Disclosure: *AUM Flows for ZEB, source BMO Global Asset Management, as of November 30th, 2023. **ZEB Calendar Performance Source: Bloomberg as of November 30 2023. An investor that purchases Units of a Structured Outcome ETF other than at starting NAV on the first day of a Target Outcome Period and/or sells Units of a Structured Outcome ETF prior to the end of a Target Outcome Period may experienc...

It’s reporting season once again for the “Big Six” Canadian banks. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Charles-Lucien Myssie, and your host, McKenzie Box, break down the earnings hits and misses so far. They also discuss Technology’s reign and outlook, the high-yield space, and when to add duration. Read the episode summary. McKenzie Box is Director of Product and Strategy at BMO...

As the U.S. earnings season closes out, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Erika Toth, inspect companies’ report cards—putting the “Magnificent Seven” under the microscope. They also discuss dividend strategies, Canada’s inflation rate, Energy, and U.S. dollar-denominated ETFs. Read the episode summary. Erika Toth is the Director of ETF Distribution for Eastern Canada...

Has the latest U.S. CPI print cemented the end to Fed rate hikes? In our 200th episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Chris McHaney, and your host, McKenzie Box, analyze this small, but important, improvement on the inflation front. They also discuss what’s trending in BMO ETFs, the outlook for the U.S. dollar and commercial real estate. McKenzie Box is Director of Product and Strategy at BM...

Treasuries are back on investors’ minds this week, this time with many looking for a tactical trade at the long end of the curve. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Matt Montemurro, and your host, McKenzie Box, explore the upside of a barbell approach as interest rates continue to plateau. They also discuss getting back into dividend stocks, tax-loss harvesting, and making lemona...

Canada’s banking regulator cracked down on HISA ETFs in a long-awaited ruling. In today’s episode, our portfolio managers, and your host, Andrew Vachon, digest OSFI’s decision and provide places to park cash. They also discuss the latest Fed and Treasury announcements, the likelihood of a technical recession, and developments from the Bank of Japan. Read the episode summary. Andrew Vachon is a Sen...

In its latest announcement, the Bank of Canada held interest rates steady at 5%, opening the door to speculation. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Mckenzie Box, discuss the central banks’ downgraded outlook and when it could reach its 2% inflation target. They also explore a barbell strategy, dividend stocks, market volatility and the U.S. e...

Higher interest rates for longer are creating volatility, yet also an opening for investors to earn attractive yields on the front end of the curve. Erika Toth discusses the latest quarterly Portfolio Strategy Report (QSR) and Fixed Income Strategy Report (FISR), which examine the latest market dynamics, and portfolio positioning across asset classes. Erika Toth is a Director of ETF Distribution a...

Bond yields continue to drive higher, creating volatility across markets, but also opening up opportunities for relatively risk-free returns on cash. On today’s episode, our portfolio managers and your host Mckenzie Box, discuss money market strategies and other cash options, while tracking the early returns on Q3 earnings season. They also discuss the concept of long-short investing and the benef...

As yields soar to multi-decade highs, the Federal Reserve’s higher-for-longer rates narrative is beginning to sink in. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Winnie Jiang, Charles-Lucien Myssie, and your host, Mckenzie Box, discuss prudent ways to play defense in an uncertain environment. They also discuss equity portfolio positioning, Structured Outcome ETFs, places to park cash and ways to stay...

Will the U.S. government find another last-minute resolution? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Mckenzie Box, explore the potential repercussions of the latest political standoff. They also discuss India as an attractive emerging market, mortgage-back securities and secular growth trends in Health Care. Read the episode summary. Mckenzie Box...

Inflation on both sides of the border is edging higher, forcing central banks to strike a more hawkish tone, while rising oil threatens to keep the heat turned up on consumer prices. On today’s episode, BMO Global Asset Management portfolio managers Chris Heakes and Alfred Lee, and your host Mckenzie Box, discuss the latest North American Consumer Price Index (CPI) prints, and what they mean for f...

Third quarter earnings season for Canada’s biggest lenders saw share prices slump amid rising loan-loss provisions and broader economic concerns. Yet amid the gloom, our experts parse out reasons why Canadian banks are a wise investment for long-term investors. On this episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes, and your host Daniel Stanley, dissect the latest earnings results among the Big 6 banks, a...

The risks posed by higher rates, still-stubborn inflation as well as small but growing cracks in the overall economy—notably in Canada—suggest a rotation into low-volatility strategies may be prudent. On today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Matt Montemurro and your host Mckenzie Box discuss options for investors looking to de-risk a portion of their equity allocations. They also brea...

Has the Fed lost its bearings? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Chris McHaney, and your host, Erika Toth, reflect on Fed Chair Powell’s colourful speech at Jackson Hole. They also discuss equities as an inflation hedge, the BRICS Nations historic expansion and factor ETFs. Read the episode summary. Erika Toth is a Director of Institutional and Advisory ETF Distribution at BMO G...

As Autum draws near, falling interest rates are nowhere in sight. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Winnie Jiang, and your host, Erika Toth, examine what this new era of elevated rates could mean for investors and the economy. They also discuss the rare yield curve phenomenon known as a bear steepener, Canadian and U.S. banks, corporate debt and whether Technology is nearing the e...

The battle against inflation rages on, as the latest Canadian CPI numbers come in hotter than expected. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Kevin Prins, explore fixed income positioning as bond yields edge higher. They also discuss what to expect heading into earnings season, U.S. banks and oil and gas prices. Read the episode summary. Kevin Prins...