BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

Canadian investors breathed a small sigh of relief following January inflation data that showed a continued cooling in consumer prices. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Matt Montemurro and your host, Mckenzie Box discuss the divergence of inflation trends occurring between Canada and the U.S., where price gains continue to run hotter than expected, increasing the likelihood int...

The latest U.S. consumer-price data came in hotter than expected, with core inflation proving more resilient than economists were forecasting in January. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Alfred Lee and your host, Mckenzie Box discuss why inflation is sticky, and how markets should be braced for additional volatility ahead. They also discuss whether a new tax on share buybacks...

Markets kicked off the year with a January rally, but stocks have since wavered as inflation concerns and the risk of a downturn later in 2023 have shaken investor optimism. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Matt Montemurro, and your host, McKenzie Box go into strategies on how to play defense while remaining positioned for upside surprises. They also discuss the current yield c...

The Fed delivered on an expected rate hike at its latest meeting this week, but in the central bank’s accompanying commentary was far less transparent on where rates go from here. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Alfred Lee, and your host, Mark Raes discuss the market reaction to the Fed’s decision, and why investors are perhaps unconvinced that rates will rise much further. T...

The Bank of Canada has sent a pretty clear indication that rate hikes are on pause until further notice, opting to evaluate how the latest – and perhaps last – 25 basis-point increase in the current cycle will impact borrowers and the broader economy before the bank decides on a further tightening of monetary policy. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Matt Montemurro, and your ho...

After a strong run, the U.S. dollar rally is fading as emerging-markets and gold stage respective comebacks after slumping through 2022. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Alfred Lee, and your host, McKenzie Box, discuss how investors can hedge currency positions to take advantage of these shifts. They also dive into whether direct exposure to gold or gold-mining equities is the...

The latest U.S. inflation print points toward a continued deceleration in consumer prices, likely providing the Fed the evidence it needs to reduce or even pause altogether an expected interest-rate hike at the Federal Open Market Committee’s next meeting. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Matt Montemurro, and your host, McKenzie Box, discuss why investors may want to maintain d...

2022 was a challenging time in the markets, which had investors riding the waves of uncertainty. As we enter the new year, are inflation and interest rates trending in the right direction? In this episode, Erika Toth and Alfred Lee discuss the latest quarterly Portfolio Strategy and Fixed Income Strategy Reports, which explore the 2023 market outlook, central banks, gold, key risks, and portfolio...

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes, and Daniel Stanley dive into fourth quarter results from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing the state of the economy, dividend increases, OSFI’s decision to raise the domestic stability buffer, the size factor, recent acquisitions, and the changing dynamics in the real estate market. Daniel Stanley is an ETF Specialist at BMO Global Asset Managem...

In its final policy decision of the year, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a half-point hike, raising interest rates to the highest level in 15 years. How long will rates remain elevated? And when will inflation get under control? In this episode, McKenzie Box and Alfred Lee discuss the central banks’ latest moves and how investors can prepare for the “old normal.” They also explore the 2023 out...

Consumer prices continued to decelerate in the United States in November, providing investors more relief that central banks are getting inflation under control. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Matt Montemurro, and your host, Mark Raes, discuss whether or not high inflation could persist. They also go into the outlook for infrastructure stocks and the fixed-income market next...

The Bank of Canada’s latest trend-setting interest rate hike of half a percentage point marks perhaps its last in the current cycle. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Chris Heakes, and your host, McKenzie Box, discuss why the central bank may have hit at least a “pause” on tightening rates further. They also go into the upside for value and dividend stocks as well as near-term ins...

RBC’s blockbuster bid for HSBC, the country’s seventh-largest lender, has capped a wave of Canadian bank M&A. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Vishal Bhatia, Chris McHaney, and your host, McKenzie Box, dive into the growth potential these deals hold for the banks. They also discuss how to position portfolios amid a steepening yield-curve inversion, and possible end to China’s zero-COVID poli...

Fears of contagion momentarily gripped markets in the wake of FTX’s meltdown and bankruptcy filing. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Winnie Jiang, Chris McHaney, and your host, Mark Raes, explore the potential for future regulation in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. They also discuss the latest inflation data, currency hedging, and the success of low volatility strategies this year. Rea...

In today’s special episode, Kevin Prins, John Waters and Mark Raes talk taxes. After a challenging time in the markets, our experts dive into tax-loss selling strategies to help investors navigate the year’s end. They also discuss the must-know tax rules, the advantages of using ETFs for tax harvesting, and important dates to remember. Read the episode summary. Kevin Prins is the Managing Director...

As votes are counted in the U.S. midterm elections, Republicans are projected to win the House. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, Om Karmalkar, and your host, Mark Raes, explore what a divided government could mean for investors. They also discuss opportunities in bond markets, the earnings season, oil, and share buybacks. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Produ...

As hikes slowly work their way into the financial system, higher rates continue to be a primary market concern. How can investors combat these persistent challenges? In this episode, Erika Toth and Alfred Lee discuss the latest quarterly Portfolio Strategy and Fixed Income Strategy Reports, which explore the fight against inflation, the Bank of England bailout, the future of the 60/40 portfolio mo...

Are rate hikes here to stay? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney, and your host, McKenzie Box, anticipate the Federal Reserve’s next move. They also discuss ways to stay invested, Nasdaq versus the S&P 500, Biden’s plan to tax windfall profits, and covered call strategies. Read the episode summary. McKenzie Box is Vice President of Product and Strategy at BMO Global As...

The Bank of Canada delivers a smaller-than-expected hike, raising its key interest rate by half a percentage point. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Chris Heakes, and your host, McKenzie Box, examine the hiking cycle in real time. They also discuss Tech giants’ earnings, inflation’s influence on fixed income, China's new Communist Party leadership, emerging markets, and the...

Canada’s consumer price index eased slightly to 6.9% in September. Will inflation continue to tick down? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney, and your host, Mckenzie Box, explore the sticky components. They also discuss U.S. banks and higher loan loss provisions, the Bank of England bailout, dividends, and emerging markets. Read the episode summary. McKenzie Box is Vic...

On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund released its biannual World Economic Outlook. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Winnie Jiang, Chris McHaney, and your host, Mckenzie Box, analyze the stark global growth forecast. They also discuss the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC+) decision to cut oil production, renewable energy, cash-like vehicles, and slump concer...

In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Sa’ad Rana, examine tax loss selling strategies to help crystallize losses and get similar, more tax-efficient exposure. They also discuss Canadian banks, the low volatility factor, reducing risk with a barbell approach, and reinvesting in technology. Read the episode summary. Sa’ad Rana is a Senior Associate...

Inflation continues to be the elephant in the room. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Matt Montemurro, and your host, Mark Raes, explore ways to stay invested. They also discuss the Energy Sector, currency markets, the dividend factor, and preferred shares. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head of Product at BMO Global Asset Management. He is joined on the podcast by...

As the central banks prioritize taming inflation, markets react to the near-term volatility and the threat of recession. But at what point will the rate hikes slow down or pause altogether? And where do the attractive opportunities lie in the interim? In this episode, Erin Allen and Alfred Lee discuss the latest moves from the U.S. Federal Reserve, policy shifts globally, and what this means for t...

Persistent inflation has investors looking for positive signs. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Chris Heakes, and your host, Mark Raes, examine Canada’s CPI. They also discuss structural tailwinds in the Energy Sector, Canadian banks, staying invested with quality dividend payers, and the taxation benefit of discount bond ETFs. Read the episode summary. Mark Raes is the Head o...