Portfolio Intelligence

The college admissions process can be incredibly competitive and stressful―intense strategizing is required. The lack of clarity around the role that standardized admissions tests such as the SAT and ACT play in the process doesn’t help. College admissions coach Nancy Steenson joins podcast host John Bryson on how best to navigate the evolving college admissions environment.

Spring, they say, can really hang you up the most―and that’s the tune that’s played out in the markets so far, in the wake of Liberation Day. Might the proposed tariffs lead to a recession? How should investors position their portfolios amid uncertainty? Take a listen to what Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, our co-chief investment strategist, has to say.

For many of us, the word “investor” tends to be closely associated with the male gender. This may need to change soon because women are on track to control 38% of investable wealth by 2030. Our Director of Practice Management, Kathleen Pritchard, and Divisional Sales Manager, Megan Hopps, explain why it’s time for the industry to reframe the way it approaches women and wealth.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Grassino, the global chief economist at Manulife Investment Management, shares insights into how tariffs shape economic landscapes. He elucidates the complex relationship between tariffs and inflation, debunking common myths. Alex discusses the short-term spikes in prices for consumers and businesses, as well as the long-term implications on global supply chains. He also addresses the uncertain nature of investment markets in response to tariffs, comparing it to a high-stakes poker game fraught with unpredictability.

Markets started the year on a slightly uneven footing as issues such as stock-price valuation, tariffs, and U.S. interest rates weighed on sentiment. While our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Emily R. Roland, CIMA, and Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, think compelling investing opportunities can still be found, they feel that it may be time for investors to adjust their expectations.

A new year typically ushers in new hopes. Where Wall Street’s concerned, 2025 may well ring in new highs. Emory W. (Sandy) Sanders, Jr., CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager at Manulife Investment Management shares his investment approach with podcast host, John P. Bryson, and explains why he’s feeling sanguine about the coming year.

After an initial burst of euphoria following the election, investors appear to have adopted a more cautious mood as they assess how the incoming administration might shape financial markets. Our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Emily R. Roland, CIMA, and Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, share their views.

Danielle K. Roberts, co-founding partner of the insurance agency Boomer Benefits, joins podcast host John P. Bryson to discuss what today’s retirees and near-retirees need to know about Medicare and how to factor healthcare costs into their overall financial plans and decision-making. Danielle, author of the book 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make, outlines the different parts of Medicare coverage and explores key considerations in choosing between Medicare Advantage and Medigap coverage. She also offers advice to help investment professionals assist clients who are trying to adapt to recent and pending changes to the federal program.

It wasn’t that long ago when private credit, as an asset class, was all but available to everyday investors. But that’s changing, thanks to growing retail interest in alternative assets. What should investors know about private credit before making room for the asset class in their portfolio? Podcast host John P. Bryson speaks with Alex C. Catterick, global head of alternative investment solutions at Manulife Investment Management.

Judging by market reaction, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to lower rates at its recent meeting appears to have assuaged concerns about a pending recession. Podcast host John P. Bryson caught up with our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Emily R. Roland, CIMA, and Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, and asked them if the rate cut had influenced their view of the markets.