Portfolio Intelligence

Co-Chief Investment Strategists Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, and Emily R. Roland, CIMA, provide their take on the economy and markets so far in 2021, and their outlook on what the rest of the year may hold for investors. The strategists discuss the prospects of tapering from the U.S. Federal Reserve and what it might mean for fixed-income investors. They also offer their best ideas for bond and equity investors as the economy shifts into a midcycle environment.

U.S. Co-Head of Retail Product Steve Deroian shares his insight on the rise of asset allocation model portfolios and how new technology is changing how financial professionals work with clients. Deroian details how third-party model portfolios can help professionals focus more on the relationship building that’s important to clients. Finally, he explains how model portfolios may make sense for specialized approaches such as income generation, lower volatility, and tax-aware investing.

Co-Chief Investment Strategists Emily R. Roland, CIMA, and Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, share where they are seeing the most attractive opportunities now in the global equities market. The strategists discuss whether the recent outperformance of value indexes over tech stocks could be a lasting trend. Miskin and Roland also explain why they think international stocks and economic growth could catch up to the United States during the recession recovery, as well as the outlook for the dollar and currency markets.

College admissions coach Nancy Steenson is an expert at helping students and parents navigate this often daunting process. In this episode of the Portfolio Intelligence podcast, she discusses underutilized strategies that students can use and how to find universities that try to lure good students with tuition discounts and scholarships. Steenson also lists helpful tips for the college application process, including how to write effective essays, what to look for in a college, how to prep for standardized tests, and how the pandemic has affected the admissions process.

Frances Donald, global chief economist and global head of macroeconomic strategy at Manulife Investment Management, discusses the outlook for inflation and how rising prices affect both consumers and investors. Inflation can be difficult to measure because different indicators such as the Consumer Price Index may use different price inputs. She explains how government spending and the economic reopening may affect inflation, and also why technology, digitization, and remote working are deflationary forces. Finally, if rates rise further, it’s important for investors to watch the pace of the move and why exactly rates are rising.

Co-Chief Investment Strategists Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, and Emily R. Roland, CIMA, visit the podcast for an update on economic growth and where we could be in the current economic cycle. The strategists explain why consumer spending and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s inflation policies are encouraging signs for investors. They also weigh in on why they like mid-cap and industrial stocks, and how investors are positioning portfolios in this phase of the bull market.

The podcast discusses the history and benefits of ETFs, their evolution and acceptance of fixed income products, the launch of new ETFs by John Hancock, the outlook for ETFs and growth in the industry, and innovations in the marketplace and opportunities for advisors.

Co-Chief Investment Strategists Emily R. Roland, CIMA, and Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, discuss what the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) current outlook for inflation and growth mean for the maturity of the current economic cycle. After the recent rise in interest rates and a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, investors are looking for clues when the Fed might begin to tighten. However, at the March meeting, the Fed signaled it was willing to let inflation run over 2%, which pushed back expectations of a potential rate hike. The investment strategists explain what this could mean for both equity and fixed-income portfolios.

Sandy Sanders, CFA, senior portfolio manager at Manulife Investment Management, weighs in on the health of the consumer and why conditions now are very different from previous economic recoveries. He discusses how technology, demographics, and productivity increases could shape an economy that’s rebounding after the pandemic recession. The portfolio manager also outlines various bullish and bearish scenarios, as well as the sectors where he sees the best investment opportunities now.

Co-Chief Investment Strategists Matthew D. Miskin, CFA, and Emily R. Roland, CIMA, discuss why they like emerging markets as one way to position for a new cycle as the global economy recovers from the pandemic. In U.S. equities, they see signs of a rotation to value and small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, bond flows suggest a preference for passive investment, but the strategists make the case for an active approach centered on higher-quality credit and rising interest rates.