Children are heading back to the classroom for yet another school year. What better time than now toreinforce our portfolios with lessons learned from our early childhood?This month, our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Kevin Headland and Macan Nia address economicconcerns, equities and fixed income developments, and the art of managing volatility—a…

The dog days of summer are over, and volatility is back with a vengeance. In just a short period of time, we’ve dealt with a messy unwinding of carry trades, shifts in Fed policy, and material developments on the U.S. presidential front. How has this clouded the bigger picture?Don’t miss out on an opportunity to go behind-the-scenes with Sandy Sand…

Unruly markets, unpredictable interest rates and a possible resurgence in inflation—are all your income options on the table?In this podcast episode, we sit down with our newly appointed Head of Specialists and former Director of ETFs and Alternatives , Rob Wernic. In this interactive discussion, Rob underscores the need for alternative income inve…

Are you inundated with stories? One of the most important rules when making investment decisions is to avoid getting caught up in headlines. In this podcast episode, we chat with our very own Senior Portfolio Manager, Fundamental Equity Patrick Blais about the importance of blocking out the noise and making fact-based investment decisions. With an …

In part two of our happily, ever after series of Investments Unplugged, we continue to compare timeless tales to the current markets. In this conversation, we provide our updated outlook on bonds and discuss the outcome of global central banks starting their easing cycles. Tune into our new episode to learn more.…

What comes to mind when we think of fairytales? Fairytales are a means to teach children aboutopportunities, risks, and how to navigate a complex world. While they usually end happily ever after, thepath to get there is usually riddled with challenges.In part one of this two-part series of Investments Unplugged, we look at the economy and equitymar…

Strengthen your defence and sharpen your offence with Manulife liquid alternatives.Join us as we unveil our two new alternative fixed-income solutions. Hear from the lead portfoliomanagers of these strategies Chris Chapman and Roshan Thiru as they outline their investmentapproaches and delve into the key differentiators that set their teams apart.T…

Sticky inflation, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical risks. Now isn’t exactly the time to let your guard down.Tune in to our new podcast episode with special guests Senior Portfolio Manager Eric Menzer, and Senior Managing Director Alex Catterick as they chat about private markets, alternative investments, and the importance of including real a…

Recession is a word that gets thrown around often. But what exactly is a recession and how does itimpact investors?Join us for an in-depth Q&A session as we weigh in on a topic that’s become front and center forinvestors. Find out what you can expect in a recession and why you shouldn’t wait for one to prepareyour portfolio.For all this and more, t…

Dividend investing is evolving, and so should your approach. Tune in to our new podcast episode to learn about the unique set of challenges faced by dividend investors in today’s environment. Hear from our very own Senior Portfolio Manager Chris Hensen as he weighs in on the shifting landscape and explores the dividend opportunity set through a dif…

Make no mistake about it, the economy is dealing with its fair share of challenges. But are there bright spotsahead? In this podcast episode, we sit down with our Global Chief Economist and Strategist Frances Donald, as sheweighs in on the macro forces at play in 2024. Will global growth decline? Will central banks respond with ratecuts? For all th…

Episode 89: A look ahead to 2024—addressing your unanswered questions (part 2)After patiently waiting for many months, signs that our fixed income outlook may be coming to fruitionemerged at the end of last year. But what can we expect in 2024?In part 2 of our podcast episode, we focus on answering your frequently asked questions on fixedincome. Ar…

With 2024 in full swing, what’s our take on equities and bonds?Rather than sharing our views in our usual way, we’ve adopted a Q&A format to respond to some of themore pressing questions we’ve been getting on the road. Where’s the economy headed? What aresome of the main challenges for markets in the new year?To get your questions answered, tune in…

Consumer exhaustion is kicking in, yields have come down, and the economy is beginning to show signsof slowing.Since outlining our three-themed bonds outlook, we’re finally getting an indication that it’s coming tofruition. As we get ready to transition to phase 2 (“duration is your friend”), investors could embracelonger duration on expectations t…

Episode 87: Under the microscope: looking closely at a potential recessionRecession—it’s a word that continues to dominate the minds of investors and economic scientists alike. We hear about it so often, it sometimes seems like our expectations and concerns magnify. Yet, there could be important information that some people don’t see. Let’s focus t…

School has started once again. And while students return to their classrooms and books, investors’ minds turn to their portfolios, the economy, and the markets. But there’s so much to learn when it comes to managing your investments. So, what subjects have currently reached the forefront for the Capital Markets Strategy Team? Three key investment t…

Many topics waltz across the minds of investors. They twirl through our thoughts and sometimes stepon our toes. Two things have been leading us lately: the rise of artificial intelligence (A.I.) and its role inthe markets, and the recent surprise Bank of Canada interest rate hike. We won’t dance around thesubjects—there are relevant inquiries that …

Every so often, we find ourselves swimming in a sea of similar-sounding questions about what’s affecting or going to affect the markets. These inquiries come around on a regular basis, but do they hold any water when it comes to our investments? We brave the waves, look at some of these recurring questions, and ask, “As investors, do we care about …

Lightning struck some U.S. and European banks recently, and investors may be feeling like the jolt is still coursing through them. Frances Donald, Global Chief Economist and Strategist at Manulife Investment Management, joins the Capital Markets Strategy team to delve into current bank problems’ effects on the investment world and spark discussion …

Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Terminator, Blade Runner, The Matrix—artificial intelligence (A.I.) has been a recurring science fiction theme for decades. But in fact, A.I. has come to the forefront of many discussions around scientific advances. Robotics, deep-learning models, smart cars, ChatGPT, and so on—where is this technology headed? …

To bond or not to bond? That is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to invest in bonds or guaranteed interest certificates (GICs) preoccupies many investors. Where would William Shakespeare put his money and why? Who knows? But we have reasons for believing bonds may be the better option for today’s investors:• Looking back over past perf…

A new year has arrived. Many investors are breathing a collective sigh of relief that 2022 is done and are looking for indicators of better investment opportunities and returns in 2023. Financial needles point toward shifting economic conditions, but what types of changes will we see?• What are we looking at to help determine what the coming year m…

Cold and flu season struck and early and hard in 2022. It has also been a somewhat sick time in the markets this past year. Could 2023 give investors a chance to start easing the sniffles, coughs, aches, and pains of the volatility we’ve experienced? Let’s use our stethoscopes and thermometers to examine three phases of potential opportunity in bon…

This special episode features a discussion with our soon-retiring colleague and friend, Dan Janis, Co-Head of Global Multi-Sector Fixed Income at Manulife Investment Management. We get insights into Danny’s life, career, and team, and what he’s discovered about being a good advisor and sound money manager.• What has Dan learned about managing inves…

Episode 77: Eyeing the bond marketsUnusually painful performance in fixed-income investments this past year seems to be blurring investors’ vision. We see potential opportunity in current and future economic conditions. Is fixed income worth a second look? Let’s turn our sight to some financial factors related to bonds:• how a recession can affect …

For children, school has begun again. For investors, school is never really out. What subjects should you pay attention to? Will the bell ring to end to the unexpected market volatility of 2022? Our resident Capital Markets Strategy instructors have written some relevant topics on their chalkboard. They cover:• rising inflation and interest rates• …

With in-person interactions once again becoming the norm, this summer, the Capital Markets Strategy team has been criss-crossing the country, meeting with advisors and clients, and speaking at events. We’re truly enjoying the face-to-face interaction and responding to inquiries from people we meet. Wherever we go, some common questions are popping …

Bear markets aren’t new—15 have happened since 1950—and some have been worse than others. What’s happening with the current economy and market volatility, and when will it change? Previous selloffs and downturns may hold a clue to what we can expect for the rest of 2022. We take a look at:• what we can learn from past bear markets• the chance of a …

Fixed-income markets have been going down a rocky road so far in 2022. Are we in for a continued rough ride? Or will the dirt path become a smoother highway for bonds in the near future? Roshan Thiru, Head of Canadian Fixed Income at Manulife Investment Management, joins the Capital Markets Strategy team to discuss:• bond activity and yields• what …

When camping in the woods, the last thing you want to run into is a bear—but if you do, there are things you can do that can help you live through such an encounter. Similarly, when investors face a bear market or the potential for one, there are ways to help protect yourself from being ravaged by a downturn:• Try to overcome your natural panic and…

Despite the lack of evidence, people tend to believe a middle child has certain personality traits and can be difficult to deal with. Investors may think of mid caps in similar ways. Jeff Mo, Portfolio Manager, U.S. Mid Cap Equity at Mawer Investment Management, joins the Capital Markets Strategy team to talk about the benefits that mid caps may pr…

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…

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 li…

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 geo…

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 wor…

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 se…

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 …

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-ye…

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• e…

“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:• …

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 Canad…

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…

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 correctio…

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…

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 re…

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 struc…

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 cou…

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• afford…

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 aff…

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 pressur…