Market Insight Podcast

Market volatility and the path forward

October 2022

Mark Bayko, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group, is joined by Jim Allworth, Co-chair of the firm’s Global Portfolio Advisory Committee, to discuss recent volatility in the equity and bond markets and why investors should remain mindful of the longer-term drivers of investment returns.

Listen here (approximately 22-minute duration).

The Fed has spoken … now what?

September 2022

With so much happening around the world and the U.S. Federal Reserve stepping up its fight against inflation, how can an investor make sense of the recent swings in markets?

Janet Engels, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group – U.S., and Tylar Lunke, Senior Manager of the Portfolio Advisory Group’s Managed Portfolio Strategies team, discuss how the Fed’s recent actions surprised markets and set off more volatility, before talking about what they think is in store for investors and the sort of action investors should take.

Listen here (approximately 11-minute duration).

What to make of inflation, bear markets, and volatility

May 2022

The markets remain on edge and gloomy headlines about bear markets abound. Janet Engels, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group – U.S., just back from a series of client meetings, shares what’s on investors’ minds, provides perspective around bear markets, and discusses our current market outlook with Tylar Lunke, Senior Manager of the Portfolio Advisory Group’s Managed Portfolio Strategies team.

Listen here (approximately 12-minute duration).

Inflation, the growth outlook, and some thoughts on fixed income

May 2022

Mark Bayko and Jim Allworth from the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee discuss the outlook for inflation and its impact on the broader economy and markets, as well as give an update on our recession scorecard. They also discuss the fixed income segment of portfolios in the wake of higher bond yields.

Listen here (approximately 24-minute duration).

Where we are today, and where we might be headed

May 2022

Given the significant market moves across fixed income and equity markets, the start to 2022 has left many investors seeking answers. Michael Schuette, Multi-Asset Portfolio Strategist, and Tylar Lunke, Senior Manager of the Portfolio Advisory Group’s Managed Portfolio Strategies team, provide some guidance while discussing market activity, diversification’s recent pitfalls, and how to keep a long-term view in periods of elevated volatility.

Listen here (approximately 13-minute duration).

Fed rate hikes have arrived—what are the implications?

March 2022

In a world of heightened volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, we are now facing rising interest rates. What has changed with Federal Reserve policy, and what does it mean for the economy and markets? Atul Bhatia, Portfolio Strategist from the Portfolio Advisory Group’s U.S. Fixed Income Strategies team, and Kelly Bogdanova, Co-chair of the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee, discuss the health of the economy and the potential impact a rising rate environment might have on investors’ portfolios.

Listen here (approximately 14-minute duration).

What we know: A look at events and factors impacting markets

February 2022

Janet Engels, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group – U.S., and Tylar Lunke, Senior Manager of the Portfolio Advisory Group’s Managed Portfolio Strategies team, discuss the forces that are driving market volatility. They explore the role Russia plays in commodity markets along with market reactions to past hostilities and acts of war.

Listen here (approximately 12-minute duration).

A more challenging start to the year

February 2022

Mark Bayko and Jim Allworth from the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee discuss the transition that is taking place to start the year, the intentions of central banks, and RBC Wealth Management’s economic scorecard that continues to point to a positive outlook.

Listen here (approximately 20-minute duration).

Checking in on recent market volatility: Has the outlook changed?

January 2022

Janet Engels, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group – U.S., and Tylar Lunke, Senior Manager of the Portfolio Advisory Group’s Managed Portfolio Strategies team, talk about the forces impacting markets and creating recent volatility from inflation to central bank policy. They discuss whether the outlook for 2022 has changed and share their views on equities.

Listen here (approximately 9-minute duration).

An economic and market update with Jim Allworth

September 2021

Mark Bayko and Jim Allworth from the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee provide an update on the investment outlook. Their conversation touches on some of the recent economic developments, why the pending policy shift from the Federal Reserve isn’t too problematic, and what kind of return prospects equity investors should expect going forward.

Listen here (approximately 26-minute duration).

Global Insight 2021 Outlook

December 2020

Mark Bayko and Jim Allworth, members of the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee, discuss the Global Insight 2021 Outlook. They touch on the outlook beyond COVID-19, whether high levels of government debt are a problem, the role of fixed income in portfolios, what to watch for on the inflation front, and the investment stance as we embark on a new year.

Listen Now (approximately 22-minute duration)

For a copy of the report, click here.

The U.S. has voted—what’s next?

November 2020

Janet Engels, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group – U.S., and Tylar Lunke, Senior Manager of Managed Portfolio Strategies at RBC Wealth Management, talk about how the markets have handled this wild week and what they’re watching as the election outcome remains in a bit of no-man’s land. They also discuss the implications of what appears to be a status quo Congress, and where investors should focus their attention.

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A market update with Jim Allworth

October 2020

Mark Bayko and Jim Allworth from the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee provide an update on the investment outlook. Their conversation examines the economic progress made to date, upcoming U.S. elections, thoughts for the year ahead, and some things learned from this crisis that are worth remembering.

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How COVID created a supercharged summer housing market

August 2020

Across Canada, the housing market rebounded as pent-up demand pumped up sales volumes and prices in June and July. Montreal, for example, set a new record – 46% jump in year-over-year sales. The pandemic has also shifted preferences, as more homebuyers venture to the suburbs in favour of space and greenery (putting a damper on the previously-hot urban condo market). Will we see this activity extend into the fall? And has COVID created a fundamental change in buying behaviour? RBC Senior Economist Robert Hogue shares his outlook on the housing market.

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App-to-Table: How Tech Can Help Restaurants Rebound

August 2020

The COVID pandemic fundamentally changed how Canadians interact with restaurants, creating both challenge and opportunity for restauranteurs. Now, people of all ages see delivery not just as a method of getting restaurant food at home but a new way to engage with and experience both local favourites and new discoveries. In this episode, Kevin Edwards, CEO of SkipTheDishes, shares his insights on how restaurants can innovate in the blended world of delivery and new restaurant experiences.

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Why the Post-Pandemic Office Buildings Will Be Greener and Costlier

August 2020

When we (eventually) return to the office, it will look and feel very different. Picture screening technologies, touchless credentials, roomy elevators. Imagine breathing cleaner air. Of course, all of these COVID-prompted upgrades won't come cheap. To get tenants comfortably back in buildings, landlords will have to make expensive, but necessary, retrofits. Will there still be enough demand for commercial buildings? And could this lead to more ESG investment into the industrial sector? Deane Dray, Multi-Industry and Electrical Equipment Senior Equity Analyst at RBC Capital Markets, walks us through the post-pandemic landscape for office buildings.

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Canada’s Fiscal Snapshot – Massive Deficit & Record Federal Debt

July 2020

Featuring Craig Wright, RBC Chief Economist

The COVID crisis delivered a bigger shock to our economy than most expected. Ottawa is forecasting an enormous $343 billion deficit in 2020, which pushes the federal debt load past the $1 trillion mark for the first time. With the worst behind us, the focus now is how to sustain the early economic recovery and especially, how to get Canadians back to work. Can Canada take on more debt without further risking our sovereign credit rating? And how will the federal government transition people from the CERB relief program to more productive wage subsidies or other schemes? Craig Wright, RBC’s Chief Economist, shares his take on Canada’s fiscal snapshot.

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British Columbia – Regional Market Update with Jim Allworth and Chris Oosthuizen

July 2020

As part of this commitment, we want to ensure you have the right information available to you on the expected direction of our financial markets. We invite you to listen to this BC Regional Market Update with Jim Allworth, Investment Strategist with RBC Wealth Management and Chris Oosthuizen, our BC Regional Manager and Director.

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In conversation with David Chilton

June 2020

A special virtual event with David Chilton, author of the best-selling personal finance books The Wealthy Barber and The Wealthy Barber Returns, and former Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.

This is a timely, rare and exclusive interview with David, in which he will share his unique views on investment markets, the economy, and the business environment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Work 2.0: How tech is catalyzing the “remote first” workplace

June 2020

Featuring Alex Zukin, Software Equity Analyst at RBC Capital Markets

Practically overnight, legions of office workers shifted to working from home as their employers figure out how to keep them productive. That meant installing (or improving) video conferencing tools, messaging apps and the like – keys to an effective distributed workforce. Now, employers are going a step further to reimagine the first principles of work – from location dependent to location agnostic. Welcome to Work 2.0. What will this mean for employees? And how are software firms capitalizing on this opportunity? Alex Zukin, Software Equity Analyst at RBC Capital Markets, shares how the workplace is transforming.

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RBC Distruptors: A Digital Cure for Healthcare

June 2020

On this episode of RBC Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by Valerie Pisano, CEO of MILA in Montreal, and Abhinav Sharma of McGill University to discuss Canadian innovations in AI and machine learning for healthcare delivery, progress in the development of digital contact tracing applications, and the importance of healthcare professionals working hand in hand with technology.

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RBC Disruptor: Small Business’s Digital Pivot

June 2020

To learn more about how small business are transforming from the virtual economy.

https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/five-ways-to-help-small-business/

The road to recovery for the U.S. economy

June 2020

Tom Porcelli, a Managing Director and Chief U.S. Economist at RBC Capital Markets, joins Janet Engels, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group – U.S., to discuss the post-COVID-19 U.S. economic recovery. Their conversation examines the key economic data, the outlook for employment and consumption, and the effect of stimulus measures. They also explore whether negative interest rates are a possibility in the U.S.

http://www.rbcplayer.com/recovery_u.s._economy

What's ahead for the loonie

June 2020

Featuring George Davis, RBC Capital Markets’ Chief Technical Strategist in Foreign Exchange Trading

The loonie has defied expectations during the recent rout in oil markets, hitching its wagon to another driver. Move over crude, hello equities. But the road ahead still has bumps, with implications for USD/CAD foreign exchange. How will extended travel restrictions affect cross-border investments? And what could snowbird investors expect from the U.S. Fed? George Davis, Chief Technical Strategist in Foreign Exchange Trading at RBC Capital Markets, joins us with the outlook on the Canadian dollar.

https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/whats-ahead-for-the-loonie/

What a market recovery can look like

June 2020

Featuring Lori Calvasina, RBC Capital Markets Head of U.S. Equity Strategy

The U.S. equities market has rebounded upwards of 30% from its low in March, driven by plenty of good news and investor optimism. Both the road ahead is full of curves and unknowns that could show the momentum or worse. Looking in the rearview mirror, previous recessions offer a roadmap to guide the recovery journey. Lori Calvasina, RBC Capital Markets' Head of U.S. Equity Strategy, joins us to share lessons from past market downturns.

https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/what-a-market-recovery-can-look-like/

The transition from lockdown to reopening – An update with Jim Allworth

June 2020

Mark Bayko, member of the Global Portfolio Advisory Committee (GPAC) is joined by Jim Allworth, Co-Chair of GPAC to discuss the most recent developments and outlook going forward. They touch on the psychological impact that may linger for some, the outlook for equities and oil, and how the crisis may have accelerated some business trends that were already in place.

http://www.rbcplayer.com/transition_from_lockdown_to_reopening

COVID-19 update - A conversation with RBC Capital Markets biotech analyst Kennen MacKay

June 2020

Janet Engels, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group – U.S., interviews Dr. Kennen MacKay, Managing Director and Co-Head of Biotechnology Research for RBC Capital Markets. Kennen routinely publishes an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the virus globally.

The conversation will include Kennen’s thoughts on where we are in the spread of the virus and whether signs of a peak in cases are evident. They’ll also talk about what’s needed to reopen the U.S. economy, the lessons we can learn from other geographic regions, and the progress being made on treatments or a vaccine.

http://www.rbcplayer.com/covid_19_update_conversation_with_Kennen_MacKay

The current challenges facing dividend investing in Canada

June 2020

Mark Bayko, Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group, and Dominick Hardy, Canadian Portfolio Advisor, discuss the implications of COVID-19 and the oil price decline on dividend investors in Canada. They address the pipeline and real estate sectors in particular, discuss a framework for searching for sustainable dividends, and suggest investors should remain diversified to benefit from an eventual economic recovery.

http://www.rbcplayer.com/Current_challenges_facing_dividend_investing_in_canada

Coronavirus and the outlook for U.S. equities

June 2020

RBC Capital Markets Head of U.S. Equity Strategy discusses what the rapidly shifting coronavirus crisis means for markets.

As the uncertainty and volatility from COVID-19 continue to spread, we spoke with Lori Calvasina, RBC Capital Markets Head of U.S. Equity Strategy, about the outlook for U.S. equity markets. She told us what she’s observing from the situation’s evolving dynamics, which sectors are showing potential, and what the implications are for the earnings picture.

Listen Here (Approximately 6-minute duration).