As we step into 2026, the financial landscape remains as dynamic as ever. We recently had the privilege of attending the RBC Dominion Securities Portfolio Management Conference, an annual event that we look forward to attending every January. This event has become a cornerstone for thought leadership in our firm, and always serves as a great jumping off point for thinking about portfolios at the start of a new year. It was an incredible opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and hear directly from industry experts and senior executives of some of North America’s top companies.
The caliber of speakers on hand was truly exceptional – our colleagues who organize this event seem to outdo themselves every year! We heard from the full spectrum of RBC’s global expertise alongside experts from the world's most influential investment firms, providing a comprehensive view of the global economy and what my lay ahead in 2026. Hearing perspectives from fixed income leaders at BlackRock, Fundstrat’s equity market strategy, private equity from Blackstone, and private debt markets from Oaktree Capital Management has equipped us to better navigate portfolios in the year ahead.
While the subject matter covered was much too broad to discuss here, one theme we heard over and over again was confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy. This serves as a reminder that the media is in the business of attracting eyeballs, not our financial well-being. While there is no denying that it feels like there is chaos around every corner these days, markets remain deeply focused on what drives long-term returns: earnings. So long as economic growth remains resilient, the threat to earnings growth is reduced, increasing our probability of success in 2026.
We are immensely proud to be part of the RBC family—an organization that not only leads the conversation in Canada but also commands a seat at the table with global giants. The event underscored RBC’s commitment to providing clients with the depth of insight and modern portfolio management tools required to invest successfully through market cycles. These cycles seem to be getting shorter and more volatile, highlighting the need to utilize strategies that can reduce volatility while still providing the returns required to fulfill the needs of financial plans.
The Harbour Group
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