Investments Unplugged

Seven is often considered a lucky number. But luck doesn’t usually factor into it when talking about recession indicators. The Capital Markets Strategy team discusses whether we’re headed for a recession in the near future by looking closely at seven economic indicators they pay attention to: • 10-2 inverted yield curve • ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index • positive inflationary trends • tighter financial conditions. Wait, that’s only four! … Not to worry, just listen in and you’ll hear about the other three too.

Up … up … up—inflation has been rising, towering like Mount Everest over the economy. In response to this high inflation, on March 16, the U.S. Federal Reserve increased interest rates for the first time in about three years. Our Capital Markets Strategy mountaineers take a look at the path the Fed announcement may be climbing, hiking over areas like:market reactions to the Fed announcementquantitative tightening cyclesgeopolitical risk in Eastern Europeeffects of fluctuating oil pricesrecession and the 10-year Treasury yield.Take your pitons, ropes, and harnesses—we’re about to ascend some interesting topics.

This month seems to be ending with a bang—literally. The tension between Ukraine and Russia has escalated, which has been affecting market volatility. The Capital Markets Strategy team looks at the global state of affairs through the lenses of historical, political, and investment data, covering topics like: • short-term and long-term effects of geopolitical and military situations • disruptive vs destructive events • the impact on commodities, especially oil prices • risk to investment returns … and more. Hear what the team has to say about the growing concerns in Eastern Europe.

Maybe it’s time to take that fixed-income vehicle into the shop for a tune-up? Ace investment mechanics Dan Janis and Tom Goggins, from Manulife Investment Management’s Strategic Income team, join the Capital Markets Strategy team to answer questions around what’s happening in fixed-income markets, including: • Are fixed-income investments still worth holding? • What will the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve do to combat rising inflation? • How do emerging markets fit into the picture? • Where are investment opportunities presenting themselves? And what does this have to do with college football great Paul “Bear” Bryant? Listen to find out.

Our 2022 road trip has barely gotten underway and equity market volatility already has some investors wondering if they’ve secured their homes before leaving. What does the Capital Markets Strategy team think this recent short-term market weakness is likely being caused by? One word: uncertainty. In this episode, they discuss: • the recent market selloff • what the U.S. Federal Reserve may do with interest rates • the geopolitical scene — in particular, tension around Russia and Ukraine • what recession indicators and other economic signs could be pointing to … and more. There are always unforeseen bumps in the road. But does that mean we should turn around?

The investment journey over the next year may likely include a number of stops along the way, but the Capital Markets Strategy team sees the potential for it to be a scenic and enjoyable route. In this episode, the team looks at a number of important questions to prepare for the coming trip, including: • Is inflation going to rise or fall? • What do historical trends say about growth? • Equities and fixed income — should portfolio positioning change? • How do the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic factor in? • Will supply chain issues continue to affect production? The car tunes are on. Let’s get moving.

The holiday season is finally here after a year that has had more twists than candy cane stripes. The busy elves in the Capital Markets Strategy workshop take a look back at some of the investment and economic themes of 2021 — some naughty, some nice. They wrap up the year end and tie a ribbon around topics like: • fixed-income returns and the 10-year Treasury yield • equities and credit • inflation and the cost of living • portfolio protection and asset allocation • the COVID-19 pandemic. Grab a cup of eggnog, hot chocolate, or apple cider, and listen in.

Stagflation — sputtering economic growth coupled with rising inflation. Groovy … okay, not really that groovy. Just what is stagflation and how does it affect the investment world? The Capital Markets Strategy team takes a closer look at this idea and the impact it has, covering things like: • how current stagflation differs from past stagflation • employment and wages • the price of oil as a consumption driver • interest rates and the U.S. Federal Reserve • the current inflation model. Can you dig that?

“Extra! Extra! Economy causing unease for investors!” The media has covered many stories about how economic activity has been less than anticipated to some degree or other. When we look beyond the headings and captions, what do we see? The Capital Markets Strategy team discusses some indicators to consider when trying to read the current markets: • oil and real estate prices • 10-year Treasury bond yields • inflation tapering and interest rates • debt and credit conditions … and many more. Get the full story.

What’s the score on stocks? Are currencies inbounds? Should investors play through or go grab a drink from the 19th hole? Sandy Sanders, Head of U.S. Core Value Equity team at Manulife Investment Management, joins the Capital Markets Strategy team to look at current investment plays and conditions on the field, as well as: • economic health of Canada and the U.S. • earnings in cyclical vs staple businesses • valuation and returns in the technology sector • U.S. monetary policy Get ready to listen in. Fore! Batter up! Hut!

Good day, class, and welcome to our back-to-school session. We hope you had a great summer! Join the Capital Markets Strategy team as they lead us in a discussion about what has happened in 2021, so far, and what we might expect in the months ahead. They cover a lot of subjects this year, including: • fixed-income investments’ lackluster performance • surprising performance of equity markets • continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic • valuations and earnings growth • inflation’s effects on the 10-year Treasury yield. Notebooks open? Ears ready? Let’s listen.

Equities are up; bonds are down. Stronger economic gains and job growth in the U.S. and Canada seem to show that a recovery is in progress. But what happens next? The Capital Markets Strategy team looks back at the first half of 2021 and peers ahead to where we may be going in second half. They cover things like: • a possible equity market correction • increasing interest in emerging markets • valuation variations • what prices of commodities like corn, copper, and coffee may indicate • fixed-income risks and opportunities … as well as other topics. And what does all this have to do with inflation … or bears in the forest?

The bond markets don’t sleep, so why should you? The Capital Markets Strategy team is joined by Christopher Chapman and Peter Azzinaro, from the Strategic Income team at Manulife Investment Management, to discuss the activity within the fixed-income investment world. They cover topics like: • the strategy around risk-adjusted returns • looking at the bigger picture of the global bond market • whether inflation is transitory or persistent • where the 10-year Treasury yield could go from here • shifting forces that could affect rates. Listen in … and don’t get caught napping.

Distinguishing between market signals and market noise can help you make good investment decisions. Conrad Dabiet, Senior Managing Director at Manulife Investment Management, offers his insights on managing portfolios and lessons learned over his extensive career, such as: • the core views and principles of his Value Equity team • how the team has responded to pandemic-driven volatility • learning about companies, understanding business, and finding opportunities • the psychology of buying and selling. Public investors play two games: an outer one and an inner one. Join Conrad and the Capital Markets Strategy team to find out the difference.

Have emerging markets changed enough to make them worth looking at as a core asset class? Philip Ehrmann, Senior Portfolio Manager at Manulife Investment Management, joins host Philip Petursson to discuss this and other topics related to emerging markets, such as: • areas of the world that are considered emerging markets • changes to the sector structure • how politics can affect their evaluation • building an emerging markets portfolio • the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination programs. And which English football team does Mr. Ehrmann root for? Listen in and he’ll tell you.

You ask — we hear you. The Capital Markets Strategy team loves receiving and responding to your questions. So, each quarter, the team will devote an entire podcast episode to answering the ones you ask most often. In this episode, they discuss topics like: • Why are long-term bonds down currently? • Where are yields and inflation headed, and what could it mean for fixed-income investors? • What can we expect from the energy sector for the rest of this year? • Are emerging markets still favourable for 2021? • What’s the potential major market risk for the next 18 to 24 months? Tune in to hear the team’s responses. And keep your questions coming in.

The 2021 Canadian federal government budget — it’s finally here. But what’s in it? John Natale, Head of Tax, Retirement, and Estate Planning Services at Manulife Investment Management, joins host Philip Petursson to share his thoughts about economic impacts of the 2021 federal budget: • revenue generation through the “wealth consumption” tax • affordable chid care effects on the labour force • whether tax rates may increase • how the government may pay for the projected deficit … and other related topics. And what can you do to minimize your tax burden? Let’s listen in.

The economy continues to reopen, more people are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, and the day when the pandemic is no longer a significant part of our lives draws closer. In light of this, the Capital Markets Strategy team discusses their economic outlook at the end of the first quarter of 2021: • Could massive pent-up demand and low inventories affect the economic rebound? • How does monetary and fiscal stimulus factor into the markets? • Equities or fixed income — which is currently the biggest challenge when building a portfolio? • Is inflation always a bad thing? • What stage of economic recovery are we in? Hear the answers to these questions … and learn about revenge spending and envy spending.

Inflation rates — should we be paying attention to them now? And what do they have to do with long-term bond yields? The Capital Markets Strategy team weighs in on several subjects related to inflation and fixed-income investments: • Will inflation increase in 2021? • What do bond yields tell us about the economy? • Where do unemployment, wage pressure, and fiscal stimulus fit into this scenario? • How could investors react to a low-yield environment that’s moving higher? … and they banter about beer and bitcoin too!

What happens when a dividend growth strategy is applied to exchange-traded funds (ETFs)? In this episode of Investments Unplugged, Brett Hryb, Head of Beta Management at Manulife Investment Management, joins host Philip Petursson to talk about this and related topics, including: • portfolio building and management • dividend payout ratios • blending active and passive investment strategies • what equity investors should consider.

Market corrections happen often. But exactly when they’ll occur, no one can say with any certainty. “Trying to pinpoint why is a fool’s game,” says Philip Petursson. Listen in as Philip and the Capital Markets Strategy team discuss several topics related to market corrections: • What are corrections and why do they happen? • What’s a bear market and how’s it different from a correction? • How can you tell a big bear from a baby bear market? • Why do sell-offs offer investment opportunities?

What about bonds? Roshan Thiru and Sivan Nair, from the Canadian Fixed Income team at Manulife Investment Management, talk with host Philp Petursson in this episode of Investments Unplugged. They discuss challenges, opportunities, and the outlook for fixed-income investments: • the flexibility of investing in different kinds of bonds • disciplined approaches to strategic and tactical asset allocation • credit markets’ impact on bond yields • the effect of the Biden administration’s fiscal policy … and much more.

Join the Capital Markets Strategy team for a lively discussion about what they think could happen in the economy and financial markets through 2021. The team’s energetic exchange covers many possibilities for this year, including: • market returns • inflation and interest rates • oil prices related to the demand for oil • an extension of the 2020 gold rally. Listen in.

Sandy Sanders, Head of the U.S. Core Value Equity Team at Manulife Investment Management, joins host Philip Petursson for this Investments Unplugged episode. Sandy and Philip talk about where we’ve come from in 2020, where we are now, and what we’re looking toward in 2021. They cover a variety of areas that may affect markets in the new year: • COVID-19 vaccines • Joe Biden as the next U.S. president • interest rates at record-low levels • potential earnings growth … and many other topics.

Gaining insight about what the future holds, and the financial benefits that could come with it, takes more than hope and guesswork. In this episode of Investments Unplugged, Gertjan Van Der Geer, Senior Investment Manager on the Thematic Equities Team at Pictet Asset Management, joins the Capital Markets Strategy team to share his expertise and discuss: • how COVID-19 affects market trends • whether or not Bitcoin will gain traction as a future currency • emerging megatrends and investment themes to look out for • why thematic investing is the better approach to portfolio construction … and more.

This episode of Investments Unplugged continues the Q&A of episode 38. The Capital Markets Strategy team once again answer some of the burning questions they’ve been asked during COVID-19 pandemic. Their responses cover many topics: • What effect will government stimulus and mounting debt levels have on equities and fixed income investments? • Is a services-based economic recovery important to the markets? • Are investors looking more at growth or value now? • What about emerging markets? Are they attractive investments? • Is the 60/40 investment portfolio dead? … and more.

This episode of Investments Unplugged features Daniel Janis, Head of the Global Multi-Sector Fixed Income Team at Manulife Investment Management, who joins Philip to talk about what the fixed-income portfolio looks like heading into 2021. Dan shares how his team analyses and assesses risk within fixed-income investing, and how they pivoted their portfolio in 2020. Philip and Dan also discuss modern monetary theory and their outlook on the U.S. dollar.

What’s a great way to generate less-than-ideal investment outcomes? Base your decisions on political emotions. The U.S. presidential election is fast approaching, and the Capital Markets Strategy team received many related questions: How do markets react? Are Republicans or Democrats better for the markets? Does policy matter? The team answers these questions and more on a special, election-focused podcast of Investments Unplugged.

Over the past six months, we’ve seen a bear market, a recession, decades-high unemployment, unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus, and a powerful equity market rally. In this episode of Investments Unplugged, the Capital Markets Strategy team at Manulife Investment Management share the key things they’ve learned during the COVID-19 lockdown — so far.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged Jamie Robertson, and Alex Richard, both with Manulife Investment Management’s Asset Allocation team, join host Philip Petursson to discuss the importance of asset allocation. They also explore: • How the recent market rally has been surprising – and how it hasn’t • What market returns could look like over the next five years • How the U.S. election outcome affects the team’s portfolio positioning • The team’s outlook on gold, and how it has affected their asset allocation strategy

This episode of Investments Unplugged features Sandy Sanders, Head of the U.S. Core Value Equity Team at Manulife Investment Management, who joins Philip to share his view on the market, from a bottom-up perspective, for the remainder of 2020 through 2021. From June data, indicators suggest that the steep earnings decline through the second and third quarter of 2020 may give way to the beginning of an earnings recovery in the fourth.

Will we see a global economic recovery in the next 18 months? In this episode of Investments Unplugged, the Capital Markets Strategy team share their outlook for the remainder of 2020 through 2021. They discuss what markets could look like if there’s a second or third wave of COVID-19 infections, whether we should be optimistic or not about future earnings growth, their updated model portfolio weightings, and the direction for the Canadian dollar.

In this Q&A episode of Investments Unplugged, the Capital Markets Strategy team respond to some of the common questions they’ve been receiving since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out their answers to questions like “Why has the Canadian dollar rebounded so strongly vs the U.S. dollar?” and “What’s the risk that the Big Six banks in Canada will cut dividends?” Tune in to hear more.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, the Capital Markets Strategy team discusses megatrends — the social, demographic, environmental, and technological forces of change that are reshaping our world. Their conversation covers digital currency, nearshoring, digital transformation, biotechnology, smart cities, and how we can find the opportunities that the trends indicate.

This episode of Investments Unplugged features Manulife Investment Management’s Global Multi-Sector Fixed Income Team’s Director and Senior Investment Analyst Charles Tomes, and Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager Thomas Goggins, to discuss the bond markets and what’s ahead for fixed income investments.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, the Capital Markets Strategy team looks at strategies and ideas to prepare for a market recovery, including balanced versus equity portfolios and credit markets, as well as keeping emotions in check and expectations real.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, the Capital Markets Strategy team share words of wisdom they’ve learned, which have shaped them as investors, and that they continually return to as guiding principles. These are their quotes to invest by. Tune in to hear what they’ve learned from these quotes, why right now is the best time for advisors to build their books of business, and more.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, host Philip Petursson is joined by Apollo Lupescu, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). Apollo is responsible for communicating DFA’s academic foundations, investment beliefs, and their applications to financial advisors and individual investors. He often uses an alternative investment process to conventional management and indexing approaches.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, Kevin Headland, Senior Investment Strategist at Manulife Investment Management, joins host Philip Petursson to discuss how the Capital Markets Strategy team focuses on the fundamentals. They share their plan on how to survive a bear attack — four rules to help investors manage market volatility.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, host Philip Petursson finds out how Manulife Investment Management’s Asset Allocation team was prepared for the recent turbulence in the markets.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, Patrick Blais, Senior Portfolio Manager at Manulife Investment Management talks with host Philip Petursson about the potential growth of Canadian markets, the relationship between investments and the Canadian economy, and how the 2020 outlook is shaping up.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, Macan Nia and Kevin Headland, Senior Investment Strategists at Manulife Investment Management, join host Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, to discuss why the coronavirus will be an economically disruptive – but not destructive – event for the markets.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, you’ll hear from Terry Carr, Senior Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income, Canada for Manulife Investment Management, on finding good returns on investments in the current global economic environment. & Terry joins host Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, and Macan Nia, Senior Investment Strategist, shares his views about the challenges of the global economy, the likelihood of a market correction coming soon, and what investments will potentially give the best returns.

In part two of a two-part Investments Unplugged episode, you’ll hear more from Manulife Investment Management’s Asset Allocation team on how markets and investments performed in 2019, and what’s ahead for 2020. Jamie Robertson, Senior Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Asset Allocation Canada & Global Head of Tactical Allocation, and Alex Richard, Senior Investment Analyst, continue their talk with Macan Nia, Senior Investment Strategist, and host Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, about positioning investments through this coming year.

In part one of a two-part Investments Unplugged episode, you’ll hear from Manulife Investment Management’s Asset Allocation team on how markets and investments performed in 2019, and what’s ahead for 2020. Jamie Robertson, Senior Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Asset Allocation Canada & Global Head of Tactical Allocation, and Alex Richard, Senior Investment Analyst, join Macan Nia, Senior Investment Strategist, and host Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, to talk about positioning investments through this coming year.

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing is no passing phase. In this episode, host Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at Manulife Investment Management, talks with Margaret Childe, Director of ESG Research and Integration at Manulife Investment Management, about this hot topic.

Manulife Investment Management’s Capital Markets Strategy team lays down their “Fearless Forecast” for 2020. Kevin Headland and Macan Nia, Senior Investment Strategists, join host, Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, in a lively discussion to exchange views and share their thoughts on what 2020 has in store for the markets.

When your clients ask for an explanation of negative interest rates, and how it could affect their investment returns, how do you respond? In this episode of Investments Unplugged, Manulife Investment Management’s Capital Markets Strategy team discusses the impact negative interest rates are having on global markets, and the opportunities that could be lying within.

In this episode of Investments Unplugged, host Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at Manulife Investment Management, speaks with special guest John Natale, Head of Tax, Retirement, and Estate Planning Services at Manulife Investment Management. They discuss how taxation plays an important part of any investment strategy, and why what you keep, at the end of the day, may matter more than what you earn.

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at Manulife Investment Management, is joined by Paul Moroz, Chief Investment Officer of Mawer Investment Management. Paul talks about the team’s “buy, hold, and sell” strategy, and discusses how the current geopolitical environment has affected his team’s analysis, and the opportunities they’re finding as a result.