BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

E222 – 'Higher for Longer' is Back

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The higher-for-longer narrative continues. In today’s episode, Portfolio Managers Matt Montemurro, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Mckenzie Box, a...

E221 – 2024 Federal Budget Highlights

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s deep-dive episode, John Waters, and your host, Erin Allen, discuss the key takeaways from Ottawa’s recently released 2024 federal budge...

E220 – A Divergence in Economic Strength

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the economy shows more signs of weakness, will the Bank of Canada be the first to cut rates? In today’s episode, Portfolio Managers Chris McHaney...

E219 – Gold’s Record-High Rally

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What’s behind gold’s record-high rally? In today’s episode, Portfolio Managers Chris Heakes, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Mckenzie Box, ide...

E218 – Fed Holds & Hints 3 Cuts to Come

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged for the fifth consecutive time, while maintaining cuts are likely still to ...

E217 – A Deep Dive on Gold

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this deep-dive episode, we explore the glittering world of gold bullion. They discuss notable trends, including the macroeconomic backdrop and push...

E216 – Decoding Q1 Canadian Bank Earnings

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley discuss the first quarter earnings from Canada’s “Big Six,” breaking d...

E215 – It’s Still ‘Too Early’ for Cuts

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark rate at 5% for the fifth consecutive time, saying it’s “too early” for cuts. In today’s episode, Portfol...

E214 – How Long Will Nvidia’s Reign Last?

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

BMO MSCI USA High Quality Index ETF (Ticker: ZUQ) BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged to CAD Index ETF (Ticker: ZQQ) BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Index ETF (Tick...

E213 – Inflation Falls Within BoC Target. What’s Next?

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Canada’s inflation rate fell within the Bank of Canada’s target range, easing to 2.9% in January. With potential rate cuts on the horizon, portfol...

E212 – U.S. Inflation Up. When Are Rates Coming Down?

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

ETFs mentioned in the podcast: BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF (Ticker: ZUT) BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF (Ticker: ZRE) BMO Low Volatility...

E211 – A Deep Dive on Buffer ETFs

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this deep-dive episode, Portfolio manager Chris McHaney, and your host, McKenzie Box, delve into Buffer ETFs—starting with the fundamentals, incl...

E210 – Unpacking the Latest U.S. Economic Data

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged on Wednesday—hinting cuts aren’t coming soon. In today’s U.S.-centric episode, portfolio managers Winni...

E209 – Rates, Netflix & Trump

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Montem...

E208 – ETF Industry Outlook

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Despite turbulent markets in 2023, the ETF industry continues to thrive, providing Canadian Investors with new options for growth. Portfolio manager A...

E207 – 2024 BMO ETF Desk Update on Positioning

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the team discusses the latest quarterly Portfolio Strategy Report (QSR) and Fixed Income Strategy Report (FISR), which examine intere...

E206 – A Year in Review

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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....

E205 – Decoding Q4 Canadian Bank Earnings

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

E204 – A Deep Dive on HISA ETFs

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a long-awaited ruling, Canada’s banking regulator cracked down on high-interest savings account ETFs at the end of October. Portfolio manager Mat...

E203 – Bank of Canada Ends Year with a Hold

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Disclosure: *AUM Flows for ZEB, source BMO Global Asset Management, as of November 30th, 2023. **ZEB Calendar Performance Source: Bloomberg as of Nove...

E202 – Bank Earnings: Hits & Misses

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s reporting season once again for the “Big Six” Canadian banks. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Charles-Lucien Myssie...

E201 – Earnings, Inflation & the “Magnificent Seven”

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the U.S. earnings season closes out, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Erika Toth, inspect companies’ report cards...

E200 – Is the End of Fed Rate Hikes in Sight?

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ho...

E199 – Treasuries and Tax-Loss Selling

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 episo...

E198 – Places to Park Cash

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 V...

E197 – Interest Rates on Hold. What’s Next?

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In its latest announcement, the Bank of Canada held interest rates steady at 5%, opening the door to speculation. In today’s episode, portfolio mana...

BMO ETF Q4 Investment Strategy

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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. E...

E196 – Cash Rules. How to Play the Current Yield Environment

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bond yields continue to drive higher, creating volatility across markets, but also opening up opportunities for relatively risk-free returns on cash. ...

E195 – Stocks Plunge as Yields Surge

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, portfol...

E194 – U.S. Government Shutdown, Explained

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Will the U.S. government find another last-minute resolution? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Omanand Karmalkar, and your ho...

E193 – How to Play the Fed’s Higher for Longer Rate Path

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 he...

E192 – Decoding Q3 Canadian Bank Earnings

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Third quarter earnings season for Canada’s biggest lenders saw share prices slump amid rising loan-loss provisions and broader economic concerns. Ye...

E191 – Time to Consider Taking Profit, Rotating to Low-Vol Strategy

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

E190 – The Fed is ‘Navigating by the Stars Under Cloudy Skies’

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 P...

E189 – Is Inflation Making a Comeback?

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Autum draws near, falling interest rates are nowhere in sight. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Winnie Jiang, and your host, Er...

E188 – Putting the Income Back Into “Fixed Income”

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The battle against inflation rages on, as the latest Canadian CPI numbers come in hotter than expected. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris...

E187 – Japan Tries to Pivot

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, the Bank of Japan loosened its yield curve control in a move that shocked markets. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, ...

E186 – What the Workplace Evolution Means for REITs

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Office vacancy rates continue to rise, as hybrid and work-from-home trends take hold. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Alfred...

BMO ETF Q3 Investment Strategy

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are the central banks winning the battle against inflation? While the latest Canadian CPI print suggests we are moving in the right direction, it’s ...

E185 – Is It Time to Buy International Equities?

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A shift toward international equities is seemingly underway, but what is the catalyst for this movement? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chri...

E184 – Bank of Canada Won’t Rule Out Future Rate Hikes

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following back-to-back increases, the Bank of Canada’s key interest rate now sits at 5%—the highest level in 22 years. On today’s episode, portf...

E183 – Canada’s Inflation Slows, but Will It Prevent a Hike?

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canada’s annual inflation rate cooled to 3.4% in May—still, further monetary tightening is widely expected. On today’s episode, portfolio manage...

E182 – Listening to the Yield Curve

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Historically, an inverted yield curve has preceded every recession in the past 50 years. On today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Chris He...

E181 – ‘Diversification Is the Only Free Lunch’ in Investing

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve left its policy rate unchanged for the first time in over a year, as expected. On today’s episode, portfolio ...

E180 – Decoding Q2 Canadian Bank Earnings

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley take a deep dive into second quarter earnings from Canada’s “Big Six,”...

E179 – Bank of Canada Hikes Again

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the Bank of Canada lifted its conditional pause, raising the key interest rate to 4.75%—a 22-year high. On today’s episode, portfolio m...

E178 – Nvidia’s Rise & AI Euphoria

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The artificial intelligence boom is here. But will it soon bust? On today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Chris Heakes and your host,...

E177 – Q2 Bank Earnings a Mixed Bag

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As second quarter earnings results trickle in, two Canadian banks fell short of analysts' expectations. On today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfre...

E176 – Are Rate Hikes Back on the Table?

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian CPI came in above expectations for April, prompting speculation about an end to the Bank of Canada’s pause on rate hikes. On today’s epis...

E175 – Markets May Be Too Optimistic on Rate Cuts

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. inflation eases to 4.9% in April, its lowest rate in two years. On today’s special episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Vishal Bhatia a...

E174 – Will the Fed ‘Hike in May and Go Away?’

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a recent announcement, the Federal Open Market Committee raised rates by 25 basis points in its 10th consecutive hike. On today’s special episode...

E173 – Markets Brace for Debt Ceiling Standoff

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the default rate ticks higher, refinancing risk sits on the horizon. In today’s special episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Matt Montemurro, ...

E172 – What Clues Do Bank Earnings Hold?

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian inflation cools to the lowest level since 2021, reaffirming the Bank of Canada’s pause. In today’s special episode, portfolio managers Ch...

BMO ETF Q2 Investment Strategy

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recent market events have taken investors on a walk down memory lane, as elements of the banking crisis look eerily similar to the challenges faced in...

E171 – The Last Push is Always the Hardest

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said the right monetary approach calls for prudence and patience, all while the pressure moun...

E170 – Playing Defense as Regional Bank Risks Persist

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Investor sentiment is divided on whether or not the liquidity crunch that hit U.S. regional lenders in early March is over, or there are still more ri...

E169 – Opportunity to Buy Canadian Banks on Sale

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Investors have sold off Canadian banks alongside global peers in recent weeks amid Credit Suisse’s fire sale and broader financial-system concerns. ...

E168 – What the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Means for Investors

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, investors are left wondering: what’s next? On today’s special episode, portfolio managers Alfred ...

E167 – Decoding Q1 Canadian Bank Earnings

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley dive into first-quarter results from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing ho...

E166 – Wave of Downgrades Hits High-Yield Bonds

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bond markets are once again grappling with the spectre of higher interest rate increases from the Fed, with high-yield issuers facing the fastest pace...

E165 – Positioning for US Dollar Strength in Near Term

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With inflation data diverging, odds are growing that monetary policy will follow suit with the Fed forced to continue tightening rates while the Bank ...

E164 – Canadian CPI Underscores Steady Rate Outlook for Canada

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian investors breathed a small sigh of relief following January inflation data that showed a continued cooling in consumer prices. In today’s e...

E163 – Inflation Risks Re-Acceleration in Coming Months

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The latest U.S. consumer-price data came in hotter than expected, with core inflation proving more resilient than economists were forecasting in Janua...

E162 – Credit Spreads Signal Buying Opportunity in Fixed Income

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 sh...

E161 – Investors Believe Fed Likely Close to Finished Hiking Rates

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 transpare...

E160 – Time to Look at Duration as BoC Signals Steadier Rate Path

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 per...

E159 – China’s Reopening Shifts Focus to Emerging Markets

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

E158 – U.S. Inflation Data Trending in the Right Direction

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

2023 BMO ETF Investment Outlook: Back to the Old Normal

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

E157 – Decoding Q4 Canadian Bank Earnings

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes, and Daniel Stanley dive into fourth quarter results from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing ...

Central Banks Update and Outlook for 2023

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 year...

E156 - Look to Infrastructure as Hedge Against Recession Risk

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer prices continued to decelerate in the United States in November, providing investors more relief that central banks are getting inflation und...

E155 – Investors Rotating to Stocks with Rate Cycle Nearing Peak

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ep...

E154 – Canadian Banks Put Pandemic Cash Cushions to Use

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 mana...

E153 – Markets on Edge Following FTX Scandal

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fears of contagion momentarily gripped markets in the wake of FTX’s meltdown and bankruptcy filing. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Winnie ...

E152 – Tax-Loss Selling for 2022 Year-End

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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-lo...

E151 – From ‘Red Wave’ to Ripple

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Quarterly Portfolio Strategy Q4 2022: The Fed in the Driver’s Seat

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As hikes slowly work their way into the financial system, higher rates continue to be a primary market concern. How can investors combat these persist...

E150 –Timing the Market vs. Time in the Market

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are rate hikes here to stay? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Alfred Lee, Chris McHaney, and your host, McKenzie Box, anticipate the Federal R...

E149 – Is the Bank of Canada Slowing Pace of Rate Hikes?

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

E148 – Canada’s CPI is Hot Off the Press

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canada’s consumer price index eased slightly to 6.9% in September. Will inflation continue to tick down? In today’s episode, portfolio managers Al...

E147 – IMF Warns ‘The Worst is Yet to Come’

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund released its biannual World Economic Outlook. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Winnie Jiang, Chris...

E146 – Tax Loss Selling in 2022

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Omanand Karmalkar, and your host, Sa’ad Rana, examine tax loss selling strategies to help ...

E145 – When Inflation Rears Its Head, Cash is King

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation continues to be the elephant in the room. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Matt Montemurro, and your host, Mark Raes,...

Q&A on Central Banks and Interest Rates

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ra...

E144 – Core Inflation: A Mixed Picture

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Persistent inflation has investors looking for positive signs. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris McHaney, Chris Heakes, and your host, Ma...

E143 – Markets Take a Tumble

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Following a red-hot inflation print earlier this week, many investors opted for an immediate sell-off, creating turbulence in the markets. In today’...

E142 – Decoding Q3 Canadian Bank Earnings

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley dive into third quarter results from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing re...

E141 – Tough Talk from the Bank of Canada

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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? ...

E140 – Bulls vs. Bears: Breaking Down Two Scenarios

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With inflation potentially having peaked, could central banks start to lower interest rates sooner than expected? In today’s episode, portfolio mana...

E139 – Are Economic Expectations Improving?

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Despite Canada’s inflation easing slightly in July, investors are not out of the woods yet. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chris Heakes, M...

E138 – Unpacking the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

E137 – Volatility Creates Opportunity

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Quarterly Portfolio Strategy Q3 2022: Is the Quest to Tamp Down Inflation Succeeding?

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

E136 – Finding Direction in a Sideways Market

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

E135 – Will the 100Bps Hike Tame Inflation?

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the Bank of Canada surprised markets by raising interest rates by a whopping 100 basis points. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Chr...

E134 – What Makes This Downturn Different?

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With a possible recession on the horizon, investors are wondering if there are similarities between the current environment and economic downturns in ...

E133 – Fighting Inflation with Dividends

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 hori...

E132 – The Bear Market Is Here. What's Next?

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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, p...

E131 – Decoding Q2 Canadian Bank Earnings

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Sohrab Movahedi, Chris Heakes and Daniel Stanley dive into second quarter results from Canada’s “Big Six,” discussing t...