Global Thinking

For those who have been hiding under a rock the last 6 months, global markets are in uncharted territory. In the face of slowing economic growth and surging inflation, central banks are increasing interest rates at levels not seen in over 30 years. How have markets responded? Global equity and bond markets have plunged deep into negative double-digit territory, an outcome not seen in over 70 years...

It is no surprise the last few months have been jarring for financial markets. The Fed, initially believing price spikes were short-term, were caught in an almost cartoon-like backpedal as inflation instead accelerated to a 40-year high. Now markets are on edge the Fed will tighten too much and short-circuit the economy. Forstrong's Tyler Mordy explains why he expects inflation to moderate and how...

The world has been transfixed by a strange spectacle: a scarcity of nearly everything. It has been a cinematic experience complete with congested shipping lanes, gas shortages and rationed microchips. This kind of drama is entirely unfamiliar a decade after the global financial crisis's chronic oversupply. Now, the gluts of the 2010s are giving way to a far different world. Welcome to the new shor...

Global stock markets maintain double digit gains year-to-date, but as the recent selloff deepens market pundits continue to point fingers and provide reasons why this is the end. In this podcast we sit down with Forstrong PM, David Kletz, to discuss Evergrande's impact on markets and our recent portfolio rebalance. Not surprisingly, we see the macro environment remaining supportive into year-end. 

Viewing the globe, we note a very unusual situation — most likely attributable to the post-Covid rebound. For the first time on record, developed nations have been growing faster than global GDP growth. And global growth is currently faster than that of emerging countries. This must resolve itself in one way or another. What will be the likely outcome? Rob Duncan speaks with Forstrong Portfolio Ma...

What happens when the world is cooped up — in some cases against its will — for more than a year? We are now getting answers to this global experiment. To no one's surprise, it turns out many are increasingly unwilling to delay gratification which has sent inflation soaring all around the world. Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong's CIO, Tyler Mordy, to discuss how the pandemic is creating an infl...

Has crypto-mania gone too far? Naysayers have an almost unlimited arsenal of reasons why this bubble will pop and leave investors in a wake of devastation. Citing everything from security issues to regulation, environmental impact to the explosion of offerings, these things should come with a warning label. In a recent Ask Forstrong, The Cryptocurrency Bug: Catch Me if You Can , our CIO, Tyler Mor...

Social media platforms take center stage as rWallStreetBets channels it's Reddit commentary to prop up stocks impacted by the pandemic and targeted by hedge fund short-sellers. In this podcast Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong's CEO & CIO, Tyler Mordy, to discuss this incredible phenomenon and how situations like this have played out in the past. While it received incredible headlines, investors...

Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong's CEO/CIO, Tyler Mordy, to talk about the year that was 2020, our outlook for 2021, and why we need to learn the Charleston in what could be seen as our generations roaring 20's. 

Is it possible to have unlimited money? If so, is that a good thing or a bad thing?  Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong's CEO/CIO, Tyler Mordy, to talk about Modern Monetary Theory and why this new way of thinking could create new economic realities to increase growth globally. We break this theory down into its basic building blocks and challenge traditional thinking to see opportunities where o...

Your Global Thinking host, Rob Duncan, sits down with Forstrong's CIO, Tyler Mordy, to discuss Covid's impact on markets, policy and their investment outlook. While a second wave forms and concerns over another shutdown looms, Tyler explains why these outcomes would be less impactful and how a paradigm shift in policy will power growth going forward.  If you would like to access the slides, please...

Here we are again, as if nothing much has changed since mid-February. Never mind that the very existence and survival of the entire human race had been threatened in the interim. Most global equity markets have recovered the vast majority of their year-to-date losses, and in fact, the risk-on rally now appears to be broadening into additional sectors and asset classes. In this update Rob sits down...

Rob Duncan sits down with Michael Greenberg, Vice President & Portfolio Manager for Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions. Over the course of 30 minutes they discuss their portfolio positioning throughout the pandemic, the shape of the recovery and whether investor FOMO has dislocated markets from reality. While market challenges remain, Michael highlights opportunities within global credit, Eu...

Rob Duncan sits down with Horizons Executive Vice President of ETF Strategy, Mark Noble, to discuss why the recent spike in volatility has resurfaced old myths and misconceptions about fixed income ETFs. We get back to basics on their structure and mechanics to explain how they provide price discovery and liquidity, even in times of stress. 

Coronavirus and all its catchphrases - flattening the curve, social distancing and so on - has taken a wrecking ball to daily routines. Working from home has brought new challenges. Calendars have been emptied and commute times cut. But occupational hazards have emerged: cabin fever, the close proximity of the cookie jar and, for some of us, new colleagues of the Crayola-wielding kind.  Rob Duncan...

Corona virus fears finally pierced investor consciousness and markets have sold off dramatically this week. Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong's President and CIO, Tyler Mordy, to discuss the market reaction and potential impact to growth going forward. How will this impact global GDP? Does this change our view for 2020? Is this a buying opportunity? We tackle these questions and more.   

Rob Duncan sits down with AGF's CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Kevin McCreadie, to review their 2020 Outlook and why he thinks this investment cycle could go into extra innings.  From investment prospects in Canada, US election outcomes, increasing EM exposure and even space travel. Over the course of 30 minutes we cover everything you need to start the year off right.    

Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong's Vice President and Portfolio Manager, David Kletz, to review the recent market rally, phase 1 US/China trade deal and UK elections impact on Brexit. While we see markets getting ahead of themselves, most can be warranted with the removal of key risks heading into the new year. Still, several things to consider. 

Rob Duncan speaks with Clement Gignac, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at IA Financial Group, to discuss his outlook on global markets, recent events and where he is investing. In this action packed podcast you will hear opinions on Brexit, optimism around the US/China trade war, synchronized global rate cuts, the ECB transition and why a minority Canadian government will be good for mar...

After arriving into Beijing's bustling international airport, the point was again driven home. Evidence of progress and modernization is everywhere as China has been the worlds fastest growing economy for three decades.  I sit down with our President and CIO, Tyler Mordy, to discuss his investor trip to China, key observations and answer questions from our investors. 

I sit down with Kurt Reiman, Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist at BlackRock Canada, to discuss their recent market outlook and three key investment themes. From the impact of protectionism to the implications of lower rates globally, we discuss how to invest in a world with heightened uncertainty. 

Vice President and Portfolio Manager, David Kletz, discusses his recent monthly portfolio dashboard titled "Peak Trade Wars".  Trade wars continue to be a key market theme, but have their impacts been exhausted and how do we see Trump positioning for his pending campaign trail. 

We sit down with Mark Noble, Senior Vice President of ETF Strategy at Horizons ETFs, to discuss how markets have performed, ETF trends, fixed income crowding, investing for economic growth and how to keep your kids busy in the summer. Mark also highlights some strategies worth paying attention to now; emerging technologies and US marijuana.  

The first half of 2019 has been all about America. US Large Caps have trounced their global counterparts, making portfolio diversification seem like a rather quaint idea. Now, positioning in US equities, treasuries and the dollar sit at highs in the face of stumbling economic growth.   At times like this, it is always useful to revisit the role of the portfolio manager: why do clients pay us to ma...

In this podcast, I sit down with David Kletz, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Forstrong, to review recent client concerns, what has been driving markets year-to-date and Forstrong's portfolio positioning heading into Q3. With heightened anxiety over what could go wrong, we talk about what could go right!