The Invested

In today’s unpredictable environment, understanding and managing market fluctuations is crucial for advisors and investors. In this episode, Haijie Chen, Portfolio Manager on Mackenzie’s Global Quantitative Equity Team discusses the current state of market volatility, key drivers behind it, and how quantitative investing can address these challenges. Haijie also breaks down the construction of Mackenzie’s low volatility ETFs and how they can be effectively integrated into an advisor’s portfolio. This episode was recorded on January 27, 2025.

In this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, discusses the recent decisions by the Bank of Canada and Federal Reserve, exploring their future actions amid current economic conditions and looming tariff deadlines. Dustin also examines developments in equity markets, particularly the impact of the new Chinese AI model, DeepSeek, and its implications for technology stocks and energy consumption. This episode was recorded on January 29, 2025.

In his first week in office, President Trump declared a national energy emergency, sparking debates about the acceleration of permitting for oil, gas, and power projects. In this episode, Benoit Gervais and Onno Rutten, Portfolio Managers on Mackenzie’s Resource Team, discuss President Trump’s latest executive orders and their implications for the resource sector. Benoit and Onno explore the theme of reshoring and the “America First policy”, emphasizing the significance of Canadian resources in bolstering US industrialization. Lastly, Benoit and Onno discuss how AI is impacting energy demand in relation to electrification and the power grid. This episode was recorded on January 22, 2025.

In this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, explores the potential implementation of tariffs under the new Trump administration and its implications for cross-asset markets. He discusses the role of the External Revenue Service and Canada's political and economic landscape. Dustin highlights key topics such as market pricing and expectations, deregulation, tax cuts, immigration policies, and potential changes in leadership. This episode was recorded on January 23, 2025.

What are fixed income markets expect from a second Trump presidency? And where might investors find opportunities? In this episode, Konstantin Boehmer, Head of Mackenzie’s Fixed Income Team, discusses the Bank of Canada’s approach and the Canadian economy’s outlook, addressing the threat of tariffs, low productivity, and rising unemployment. Konstantin also shares his insights on the US economic landscape, the potential impacts of a Trump presidency on fixed income markets, and global investment opportunities in fixed income. This episode was recorded on January 9, 2025.

With the Canadian ETF market experiencing remarkable growth in 2024, trust and adoption of ETFs have surged among a diverse range of investors. Will this momentum continue into 2025? In this episode, Prerna Mathews, Head of ETFs at Mackenzie Investments, discusses the 2025 ETF Outlook. She delves into the sector’s remarkable growth and innovation highlighting 2024’s record inflows of $76 billion into ETFs in Canada—a staggering 45% increase over previous records. Prerna also shares insights into why more advisors and their clients are embracing ETFs and how these investment vehicles can be instrumental in building resilient portfolios. This episode was recorded on January 6, 2025.

In this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, discusses the Fed’s recent decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points and its implications for both the US and Canadian markets. He highlights the Fed’s forecast for core PCE inflation at 2.5% for 2025, which exceeds their 2% target, and discusses how the Fed is now factoring in the potential economic impacts of tariffs—a notable shift from their traditional approach. Dustin also examines significant global events, such as changes in government leadership and ongoing trade tensions, and their influence on market behavior. This episode was recorded on December 19, 2024.

The sweeping Republican victory is expected to have potentially significant implications for geopolitical risk and trade flows, and for the outlook of various asset classes and sectors. On this special episode, Lesley Marks, CIO of Equities, and Steve Locke, CIO of Fixed Income and Multi-Asset Strategies, discuss their market outlook for 2025. Topics discussed in their conversation include: How an incoming Trump administration could potentially benefit stocks, particularly small caps, and certain segments of the bond market Why the Bank of Canada will need to continue cutting rates in 2025 and potentially more aggressively than expected Why the resource sector may be poised for strong performance in 2025 For more insights and perspectives, download our 2025 market outlook. This episode was recorded on December 3, 2024.

Following the Republican electoral sweep, discussions have emerged about the effect the Trump administration may have on the clean energy sector – despite the US accounting for only a small percentage of the industry. On this episode, John Cook, Portfolio Manager and Co-Lead of the Mackenzie Greenchip Team, discusses the current state of the energy transition and clean tech investments, global opportunities, and how the incoming administration could affect environmental policies and investments. As a pioneer in environmental thematic investing, John believes the underlying drivers of the energy transition will remain unchanged. This episode was recorded on November 19, 2024.

On this episode, Jules Boudreau, Senior Economist at Mackenzie Investments, discusses the potential impacts of a second Trump administration on US small caps. Jules highlights how US small caps are poised for potential growth, citing cheaper valuations, greater cyclicality, and higher leverage on balance sheets, but emphasizes the necessity of rate cuts and sustained US growth. Additionally, Jules examines the bond market’s reaction to increased government deficits under a Trump administration and explores the challenges facing the Canadian economy. Further reading: - The narrow window for small caps This episode was recorded on November 15, 2024.

In this episode, Adam Gofton, Portfolio Manager on the Mackenzie Ivy Team, discusses the team’s investment philosophy and approach to long-term investing. Adam emphasizes the importance of finding quality companies at reasonable prices and highlights how corporate culture, economic resilience, and a strong balance sheet are key factors to long-term success. He also explains why the outcome of the US election won’t result in any major changes to the portfolio, as the team continues to focus on investing in high-quality companies that can perform well across different environments. This episode was recorded on October 31, 2024.

In this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic and market impacts of President-elect Trump’s return to the White House. Dustin explores the implications of Trump’s proposed economic policies on supply chains, inflation, and the global economy, and expected focus on immigration and deregulation. Dustin also discusses the Fed’s recent rate cut, future monetary policy, and the challenges ahead. This episode was recorded on November 8, 2024.

In this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, discusses the Bank of Canada’s decision to lower interest rates by 50 basis points and what investors may expect in the coming months. In China, recent stimulus measures have sparked both optimism and skepticism in the markets. Dustin provides his insights and the potential impacts on the global economy. Lastly, Dustin provides an update on the state of the US economy and explores how evolving dynamics in polling and betting markets ahead of the US election may influence market behaviour and various asset classes. This episode was recorded on October 23, 2024.

Are active ETFs really just ‘lite’ versions of mutual funds? In this episode, Prerna Mathews, VP of ETF Product Strategy, and Chad Wood, ETF Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, debunk this and other common ETF myths and misconceptions. Their conversation also explores how ETFs are built, what can be included in them, and how they are brought to market. Further reading: - Your step-by-step guide to active ETF due diligence This episode was recorded on October 16, 2024.

In this episode, Shah Khan, Portfolio Manager and Co-Lead of Mackenzie Bluewater Team, discusses the team’s unique approach to investing emphasizing the importance of free cash flow as a key driver of growth. Shah also shares his insights on the current AI infrastructure build-out, the structural challenges facing China and its potential implications for the Canadian equity market, and how the energy transition is impacting oil demand. This episode was recorded on October 3, 2024.

Investors widely expected a rate cut from the Fed, but the bold decision to lower interest rates by 50 basis points took many by surprise. In this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, delves into the Fed’s first rate cut decision since 2020, its future outlook, and how it could affect other central banks worldwide. Dustin also examines recent Canadian inflation data, highlighting signs of economic weakness compared to the US, and how this might influence the Bank of Canada’s future decisions. Lastly, Dustin touches on the upcoming US presidential election and its potential impact on economic policies, particularly regarding immigration and labour market dynamics. This episode was recorded on September 19, 2024.

In times of heightened market uncertainty, low volatility ETFs have increased in popularity. But can they help advisors manage risk without sacrificing their clients’ equity exposure? In this episode, Prerna Mathews, VP of ETF Product Strategy, and Nicholas Tham, Portfolio Manager on Mackenzie’s Global Quantitative Equity Team, explore the concept of low volatility ETFs, their performance, and common misconceptions. Nicholas highlights the team’s unique approach and investment process behind Mackenzie’s suite of low volatility ETFs. Lastly, Prerna and Nicholas share advice on how advisors can discuss low volatility ETFs with their clients. This episode was recorded on September 5, 2024.

In this episode, Benoit Gervais, Portfolio Manager and Head of Mackenzie Resource Team, discusses the current state of the resource sector and provides his short and long-term outlook and trends on the commodity complex. Benoit shares his advice on managing exposure to the resource sector within a Canadian equity allocation, highlighting the importance of diversification and potential for alpha generation. This episode was recorded on September 6, 2024.

In this episode, Lesley Marks, Chief Investment Officer of Equities, discusses the latest US non-farm payroll report, unpacking its mixed results and the implications for the Fed’s upcoming moves. Lesley also examines the Bank of Canada’s recent 25 basis point cut, exploring how it fits within the broader Canadian economic landscape. Lastly, Lesley previews the upcoming US presidential debate, offering insights on key economic policies to watch for. This episode was recorded on September 9, 2024.

On this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, analyzes the latest US CPI and PPI data, shedding light on the current state of inflation and its potential impact on the Fed’s decisions for the remainder of the year. Dustin shares his insights on the recent surge in market volatility, examining both technical factors and fundamental concerns. Additionally, Dustin discusses the Bank of Canada’s rate cut trajectory and highlights his team’s recent portfolio trades. This episode was recorded on August 14, 2024.

On this episode, Prerna Mathews, VP of ETF Product Strategy, and Luc Lafleur, AVP of Portfolio Construction at Mackenzie Investments, share their insights on how advisors can optimize portfolio construction with ETFs and how ETFs can contribute to running efficient advisory practices. Prerna and Luc explore the impact of global economic drivers on portfolio strategies and the importance of aligning strategic asset allocation with investment goals. Prerna and Luc also discuss active and passive investing, how to avoid common portfolio construction mistakes, and the versatility of ETFs in both strategic and tactical allocations. Further Reading: - How advisors can fight behavioural biases with ETFs - Your step-by-step guide to active ETF due diligence This episode was recorded on July 26, 2024.

Although the market did not anticipate a rate cut, early indications suggest the Fed is leaning towards cutting rates in September. On this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, discusses the recent Fed meeting, analyzing the Fed’s forward guidance and the likelihood of upcoming rate cuts. Dustin also highlights key Canadian economic data and potential further rate cuts by the BoC, updates from the Bank of Japan, and insights on the US election’s potential impacts on market volatility. This episode was recorded on August 1, 2024.

On this episode, Lesley Marks, Chief Investment Officer of Equities, discusses the Bank of Canada’s latest rate cut decision, explores the driving factors behind monetary policy and its implications for the Canadian economy. Lesley also offers her insights on the commodity market, highlighting how copper is poised for growth and its crucial role in the energy transition and AI infrastructure. This episode was recorded on July 26, 2024.

On this special episode of Market Exchange, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, recaps the pivotal events leading to Vice President Kamala Harris’ rise as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Dustin analyzes the potential market and economic implications of a Harris administration. Dustin also explores the dynamics of the so-called ‘Trump trade’ and examines how the Vice Presidential nominees could influence this year’s election. This episode was recorded on July 25, 2024.

Is value investing poised for a comeback in the current market environment? In this episode, Richard Wong, Portfolio Manager and Head of Mackenzie Cundill Team, explores this question. Richard discusses why he believes the market is shifting towards value, highlighting value investing’s historical outperformance during periods of structurally positive inflation and interest rates. Richard also discusses three categories of value stocks – quality, cyclical, and deep value – and where he sees opportunities. This episode was recorded on July 9, 2024.

On this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, discusses the latest CPI data and its implications for the Fed’s monetary policy. Could this suggest a path forward for the Fed to begin a rate cutting cycle as we approach the end of the summer? Dustin also explores the potential market implications of a Trump victory and a Republican sweep in the upcoming US elections. This episode was recorded on July 11, 2024.

What are active ETFs and what is behind their growing popularity in Canada? On this episode, Prerna Mathews, VP of ETF Product Strategy, and Andres Rincon, Head of ETF Sales and Strategy at TD Securities, discuss the intricacies of active ETF structures, and the similarities and differences in trade experiences between active and index ETFs for advisors and investors. Prerna and Andres also examine the impact of trading global equity and fixed income ETFs in a T+1 trading environment. Further Reading: - The value of active fixed income ETFs This episode was recorded on June 20, 2024.

What has been causing the surprising upward trend in gold prices despite rising real rates? On this episode, Benoit Gervais, Portfolio Manager and Head of Mackenzie Resource Team, explores how the demand for gold has been shifting from the Western world to Asia. Benoit also discusses the factors influencing commodity trends such as politics, the energy transition, and AI’s impact on today’s market. This episode was recorded on June 14, 2024.

With CPI showing signs of easing, indications from the Fed reveal they aren’t in a rush to lower rates. On this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, discusses how the markets have been reacting to the latest CPI report and Fed decision. Dustin also touches on the ECB’s decision to cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points, increased volatility in emerging markets – specifically in Mexico – and recent portfolio trades. This episode was recorded on June 13, 2024.

The investment and economic water have smoothed over the last six months, yet market expectations of interest rate cuts were challenged by resilient growth and inflation. On this special episode, Lesley Marks, CIO of Equities, and Steve Locke, CIO of Fixed Income and Multi-Asset Strategies, discusses their market outlook for the rest of 2024. Topics discussed in their conversation include: Global growth and the US economy Inflation and interest rates Bond market volatility and opportunities Impacts of the energy transition on equity and fixed income markets Market implications of generative AI Geographic investment opportunities For more insights and perspectives, download our 2024 mid-year market outlook. This episode was recorded on May 31, 2024.

What’s the significance of the Bank of Canada’s decision to cut interest rates and what could it mean for investors? On this episode, Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist, breaks down the BoC’s decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points. As the first G7 country to do so, what could this mean for the coming months? Dustin also discusses recent election results in South Africa, Mexico, and India and their potential impact on market volatility. This episode was recorded on June 5, 2024.

For over 30 years, the Mackenzie Ivy Team has established itself as one of the most time-tested defensive strategies, focusing on quality, long-term sustainability, and corporate culture. On this episode, Matt Moody, Portfolio Manager and Head of Mackenzie Ivy team, discusses the team’s approach to stock selection and portfolio construction and how they seek companies with competitive advantages, good growth prospects, and high returns on capital. Matt also explains how Ivy’s approach aligns with the goal of providing clients with a stable and reliable investment experience, even during volatile market environments. This episode was recorded on May 21, 2024.

After a strong first quarter, equity markets experienced a pullback in April as odds of a forthcoming rate cut by the Fed seem unlikely. On this episode, Lesley Marks, Chief Investment Officer of Equities, discusses the negative performance of the equity markets in April. Lesley suggests it was a modest pullback rather than the start of a downward trend. Lesley also shares her insights on the latest earnings season and explores the potential impacts of diverging policies between the Fed and Bank of Canada. This episode was recorded on May 6, 2024.

Is the Bank of Canada hinting at a rate cut in June, even as the Fed adopts a more hawkish stance? On this episode, Matthew Schnurr and Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, discuss the implications of the Fed’s latest meeting and its unexpected adjustments to their quantitative tightening program. Given the unique economic pressures in contrast to the US, Dustin explores the possibility of the BoC to begin cutting rates in June. This episode was recorded on May 2, 2024.

Generational investment opportunities rarely arise, but that’s exactly what’s happening in the push toward net zero. On this special Earth Day episode, John Cook, Portfolio Manager and Team Co-Lead of the Mackenzie Greenchip Team, and Konstantin Boehmer, Head of Fixed Income, discuss the latest developments in the energy transition and explore investment opportunities in both equity and fixed income markets. Further reading: A $US4.5 trillion investment opportunity in the energy transition 2023 sustainable investing report This episode was recorded on April 11, 2024

How have markets reacted to recent escalations in the conflict in the Middle East? On this episode, Lesley Marks, Chief Investment Officer of Equities, discusses how commodities have been impacted by geopolitical risks in the Middle East and new US and UK sanctions banning deliveries of Russian supplies. Lesley also discusses the potential for a pullback in US equities market despite strong fundamentals and earnings growth. This episode was recorded on April 15, 2024.

After a hotter than expected CPI print, are all bets off for an interest rate cut in June? On this episode, Matthew Schnurr and Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, discuss market reactions to the recent inflation data in the US and how this could affect expectations for multiple interest rate cuts this year. Dustin also discusses the BoC’s decision to hold interest rates at 5% and why rates may begin to ease sooner rather than later. This episode was recorded on April 11, 2024.

On this episode, Arup Datta, Senior Vice President and Head of Mackenzie’s Global Quantitative Equity Team, discusses his team’s approach to quantitative equity investing and how machine learning is now incorporated into their process. Arup also discusses the recent launch of the Mackenzie World Low Volatility Fund and how it can complement the Mackenzie Global Equity Fund that his team also manages. This episode was recorded on April 8, 2024.

As core inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, three interest rate cuts are still projected for this year, consistent with central bankers’ lower rate outlook. In this episode, Matthew Schnurr and Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, discuss how the subtle changes in the Fed’s long-term outlook suggest a dovish stance, which could indicate that higher inflation rates may be more acceptable in the future. Dustin also explores the implications of the weaker-than-expected inflation numbers in Canada and how the BoC’s April meeting could set the stage for future policy actions. Finally, Dustin explains the BoJ’s historic interest rate hike, the first in 17 years, and the end of their yield curve control policy. This episode was recorded on March 21, 2024.

As a potential rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump becomes more and more likely, what implications could this have in the markets? In this episode, Matthew Schnurr and Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, analyze various scenarios that could play out between now and election day in November. Dustin also discusses the most recent Bank of Canada decision and what we could expect in the upcoming Fed meeting later this month. This episode was recorded on March 7, 2024.

When it comes to portfolio construction, identifying companies with sustainable competitive advantages, or moats, can help drive long-term returns. On this episode, Darren McKiernan, Portfolio Manager and Head of Mackenzie Global Equity & Income Team, discusses the concept of the “Dream Team” and the six competitive advantages that guides his team’s investment decisions. Darren also highlights the significance of a company’s capital allocation decisions in relation to its competitive advantages and growth potential. This episode was recorded on February 26, 2024.

What do recent bank earnings mean for Canada’s economy? In this episode, Lesley Marks, Chief Investment Officer of Equities, discusses the latest market trends, the state of the Canadian and US consumer, and insights on Chinese equities. Lesley highlights Bitcoin’s recent momentum and its potential as a sentiment indicator for the broader market. Finally, Lesley provides a thoughtful outlook for 2024, emphasizing the continued resilience of the US economy, the enduring trend of AI, and the potential risks and opportunities in the current interest rate environment. This episode was recorded on March 1, 2024.

For over 30 years, the Mackenzie Ivy Team has established itself as one of the most time-tested defensive strategies, helping investors reach their long-term goals. On this episode, James Morrison, Vice President and Lead Portfolio Manager on the Mackenzie Ivy Canadian Team, explains his team’s strategy, focus on downside protection, and how managing the emotional aspects of investing can help clients succeed over time. He explores how the team builds conviction and the importance that corporate culture plays in their process. This episode was recorded on February 22, 2024.

Are all bets off for the Fed to begin cutting rates in March? In this episode, Matthew Schnurr and Dustin Reid, Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, discuss the Fed’s first meeting of the year and its implications for inflation and the U.S. economy. Despite the Fed’s dovish tone in December, Dustin analyzes the Fed’s shift to a neutral stance with a focus on inflation and why a rate a cut in March appears unlikely. This episode was recorded on February 1, 2024.

What do the first four weeks of 2024 tell us about the year to come? Lesley Marks, Chief Investment Officer of Equities at Mackenzie Investments, provides her perspectives on the latest Bank of Canada decision and Monetary Policy Report, and discusses her outlook for the global economy as we progress through the year. Lesley also explains how recent data suggests a favourable environment for equities and why companies with durable growth are faring well over economically sensitive companies. This episode was recorded on January 26, 2024.

With predicted rate cuts potentially looming around the corner, should investors rethink their cash allocation? In our first episode of 2024, join host Matthew Schnurr as he welcomes Prerna Mathews, VP of ETF Product Strategy, and Laurent Boukobza, VP and Fixed Income ETF Strategist, to discuss their outlook for cash and cash-like solutions. Prerna and Laurent explore the changing landscape of cash over the past three years and provide tactical and strategic considerations for cash within client portfolios. Prerna also explains the importance of liquidity, tax implications, and yield when choosing between GICs, high-interest savings accounts, money market funds, and ETFs such as ultra-short bond ETFs. For additional insights, see why it may be time to adopt a new approach to cash and cash equivalent allocations. This episode was recorded on January 22, 2024.

In our final episode of the year, join host Matthew Schnurr as he welcomes Andrew Vasila, Senior Investment Analyst on the Mackenzie Fixed Income Team, and special guest, Lori Kerr, CEO of FinDev Canada, to discuss their biggest takeaways from COP28 and what the future holds for sustainable infrastructure and investing. This episode was recorded on December 15, 2023.

In this episode, join host Matthew Schnurr as he welcomes Dustin Reid, VP and Chief Fixed Income Strategist at Mackenzie Investments, to discuss the dovish narrative that emerged from the Federal Reserve’s recent meeting. Dustin explores the underlying economic data that influenced the Fed’s decision and shares insights on the potential for rate cuts next year, starting as early as March. Dustin also shares his thoughts on the Bank of Canada’s stance and discusses fixed income opportunities in emerging markets. This episode was recorded on December 14, 2023.

The investment and economic environments have changed over the last 12 months. And elevated risks suggest that “safety first” is a good investment motto for the year ahead. In this special episode, host Matthew Schnurr is joined by Mackenzie Investments’ Lesley Marks, CIO of Equities, and Steve Locke, CIO of Fixed Income and Multi-Asset Strategies, to discuss their market outlook for 2024. Topics discussed in their conversation include: Review of equity and fixed income markets this year Expectations from central banks next year Asset mix recommendations for equities and fixed income Three key themes How geopolitical events can impact equities and fixed income For more insights and perspectives, download our 2024 market outlook. This episode was recorded on December 4, 2023

In this episode, join host Matthew Schnurr and his guest Konstantin Boehmer, SVP, Portfolio Manager and Co-Lead of Mackenzie’s Fixed Income team, for a review of fixed income markets this year. Konstantin discusses his expectations for the year and explains that while overall performance in fixed income markets were not outstanding, there were pockets of value to be found. Konstantin also highlights his three most highly convicted fixed income ideas as we approach 2024. This episode was recorded on November 23, 2023.