Insight is Capital™ Podcast

Market uncertainty, rate cuts, U.S. exceptionalism, and a potential Canadian dollar shock—are we prepared for 2025? In this must-watch episode, Pierre Daillie sits down with Ilan Kolet, Institutional Portfolio Manager at Fidelity’s Global Asset Allocation Team, to dissect the most pressing questions investors and advisors are facing right now.What happens if a 25% tariff is imposed on Canadian exports?Is the Canadian dollar heading for a collapse?Why are U.S. equities still the best game in town?Have investors misunderstood the bond market?Should portfolios brace for a new investment paradigm?"A 25% tariff on Canadian exports could trigger as much as a 6% GDP shock, a 3% surge in inflation, and send the Canadian dollar plummeting to 52 cents." — Ilan KoletEpisode Highlights & Timestamps00:00:00 Intro & Welcome – Kicking off 2025 with uncertainty00:02:00 A Market on Fire – Why a balanced portfolio returned 20% in 202400:03:00 The Elephant in the Room: Political Instability & Tariffs00:07:00 Canada’s Hidden Economic Weakness & The BoC's Dire Post-Tariff Simulation00:13:00 Inflation or Deflation? What a Shock Would Mean for Investors00:18:00 Are Investors Front-Running Inflation?00:22:00 Positioning for Uncertainty: How to Build Resilience into Portfolios00:27:00 The Bond Market Paradox: Higher for Longer?00:30:00 Why U.S. Equities Are Still the Best Bet in 202500:36:00 Rate Cuts: Canada Has to Cut, The Fed Wants to Cut00:42:00 Will the Canadian Dollar Go On Sale?00:49:00 The Rise of Alternatives & Why They’re Critical in This Market00:54:00 The ‘Magic’ of Portfolio Construction in Volatile Markets00:55:00 Closing Thoughts – An Elegant Solution for Complex Markets*****Get Fidelity's latest whitepaper: 11 Questions into 2025*****Listen to the full episode and get ahead of 2025’s biggest investment challenges!#Markets #Investing #Finance #Economy #InterestRates #PortfolioManagement #WealthManagement #Stocks #Bonds #Canada #USMarkets #Alternatives #Fidelity #Tariffs #MacroEconomics

In this episode, host Pierre Daillie dives into the essentials of marketing success with Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite. Samantha shares her expert insights on how financial advisors can thrive in a digital-first world, where competition is nationwide, and the rules of client acquisition are constantly evolving.🔥 Key Topics Discussed:The Changing Face of Marketing for Advisors Why a digital presence is non-negotiable in the era of $30 trillion in millennial-controlled assets. The importance of niche marketing and standing out in a crowded marketplace.Strategies to Build a High-Converting Website The 5-second rule: how to grab visitor attention and convert leads fast. Creating engaging, hyper-targeted content that speaks directly to your ideal client.The Role of AI and Social Search in Advisor Marketing How tools like ChatGPT and TikTok are transforming how clients find advisors. Practical tips for staying ahead in the AI-driven search era.Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth Proven techniques for building meaningful professional relationships. Why comments are the secret sauce to LinkedIn success.Events That Drive Engagement Memorable online and in-person event ideas that keep prospects talking. Tips to host impactful webinars and fun client gatherings. The Power of Video Marketing How short, authentic videos can build trust and expand your reach. Creative ideas for content that resonates with clients and prospects.📘 Resource Spotlight:👉 FMG 2025 Marketing Guide for Financial AdvisorsDiscover 31 pages of actionable marketing strategies tailored for advisors.📥 Download it here: 2025 Marketing Guide for Financial Advisors✨ Key Takeaways:Always be specific: Your marketing should attract the right clients while repelling the wrong ones.Consistency is key: From your social media handles to your messaging, keep it unified.Build relationships, not just sales: Always be opening new conversations, not just closing deals.Embrace video: Show your face, share your voice, and let clients see the real you.🎙️ About Samantha Russell:Samantha Russell is a marketing trailblazer with a passion for empowering advisors to excel in a competitive digital landscape. As Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite, Samantha has transformed how advisors approach growth through modern tools, strategies, and expertise.📍 Connect with Samantha: LinkedIn: Samantha Russell FMG Suite: fmgsuite.com

In this engaging discussion, Aahan Menon, Founder and CEO of Prometheus Research, shares his unique insights into the 2025 investment landscape. He emphasizes the importance of a systematic framework to manage risk amidst uncertainty. Aahan breaks down macro trends such as inflation and interest rates that will shape investment strategies. Listeners learn about the crucial disconnect between popular sentiment and economic data, and explore actionable takeaways for a model ETF portfolio. Get ready to rethink what investing means today!

In this episode of Insight is Capital, we’re joined by Tony Davidow, Senior Alternatives Investment Strategist at Franklin Templeton Institute and author of the soon-to-be-released Private Markets: Building Better Portfolios with Private Equity. Tony shares his expert insights on the revolution in private market investing and why it’s reshaping wealth management.We explore how private equity, private credit, and private real estate are transforming portfolio construction, offering uncorrelated returns, greater diversification, and resilience during market downturns. Tony demystifies the illiquidity premium, highlights the growing role of secondaries, and explains why advisors must embrace alternatives to meet client expectations in today’s financial ecosystem.Key Topics• Rethinking the 60/40 Portfolio: Why traditional strategies are no longer enough in today’s volatile markets.• Private Markets for All: The innovations democratizing access to private investments.• Illiquidity as a Feature: Why patience is key to unlocking higher returns.• The Secondary Market Boom: Shorter J-curves and better diversification for private equity investors.• Enhancing Advisor Value: How mastering alternatives strengthens client relationships and retention.Chapters0:00 - Welcome & Introduction2:00 - The End of Easy Money: 2022’s Portfolio Wake-Up Call6:30 - Tony’s Career & The Power of Private Assets11:45 - Demystifying Private Market Accessibility16:00 - Structuring Portfolios: Growth, Income, and Diversification21:00 - Overcoming Client Hesitations Around Alternatives26:00 - The Hidden Opportunities in Private Markets34:00 - Illiquidity: A Feature, Not a Bug42:00 - The Growing Role of Secondaries in Private Equity47:00 - Trends Shaping Private Markets Over the Next Decade55:00 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Find TonyLinks & Resources• Tony Davidow on LinkedIn: Link• Franklin Templeton Alternatives - Canada: Link• Franklin Templeton Institute’s Alts Knowledge Hub: Link• Tony’s Book: Private Markets: Building Better Portfolios with Private Equity (Coming February 2024).#PrivateMarkets #AlternativeInvestments #PortfolioConstruction #WealthManagement #PrivateEquity #PrivateCredit #RealEstateInvesting #InvestmentStrategies #FinancialAdvisors #TonyDavidowCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst

In this episode of Insight is Capital, Pierre Daillie welcomes Barbara Stewart, CFA, a renowned global researcher, author, and former portfolio manager, to discuss her latest white paper, 'Women and Alts: A Global Perspective.' Commissioned by Kensington Capital Partners, the in-depth 83-page research paper explores the alt gender gap and the barriers preventing women from investing in alternative assets. Barbara shares insights from her extensive interviews with 52 global finance leaders, highlighting the need for improved information, network access, and inclusive marketing strategies. She emphasizes the importance of tailored marketing approaches and encourages women to begin investing, stressing the significance of understanding risks and making informed decisions. You can download the entire enlightening research report (and guide), full of detailed and universally practical tips and insights into the blossoming market for alternative investments, below.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:19 Welcoming Barbara Stewart01:22 Barbara's Career Journey03:37 Inspiration Behind the White Paper06:05 Key Findings and Barriers15:08 Strategies to Attract Women (and Men) to Alts20:17 Future Trends and AI Impact27:31 Advice for Women Interested in Alts28:33 Conclusion and AcknowledgementsCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst, Barbara Stewart, Kensington Capital Partners

In this episode Mario Cianfarani, Head of Distribution at Vanguard Investments Canada joins us to discuss the latest findings from Vanguard Canada's Value of Advice survey. The widely developed survey, which gathered responses from 1,307 Canadian investors, highlights strong client satisfaction among advisors, with 74% of investors feeling their advisor is worth every dollar. The survey also reveals the generational shift towards online brokerages among younger investors aged 18 to 34, who at the same time have a desire access to an investment professional, frequent communication and personalized financial planning - a hybrid model. Key topics include trust issues among younger investors, the value of advice beyond investment performance, and strategies for advisors to engage with the next generation of clients effectively.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer00:20 Overview of Vanguard Canada's Value of Advice Survey00:41 Key Findings: Client Satisfaction and Online Brokerages01:35 Generational Differences in Financial Advice05:27 Trust Issues Among Younger Investors12:02 The Role of Advisors in Life Events24:12 Building Relationships with Younger Clients28:16 Communication Strategies for Advisors36:06 Perceptions of Financial Advisors' Value44:29 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst

In this episode, Richard and Pierre are joined by the brilliant and always-provocative Doomberg. Known for slicing through political and energy-market noise with precision, Doomberg unpacks the seismic shifts rippling across the globe following the U.S. election.From the resurrection of "Drill, Baby, Drill" to the strategic chessboard of Big Tech’s nuclear ambitions, Doomberg delivers his signature contrarian takes on the interplay of energy, geopolitics, and the economy. Are we entering an era of “energy independence” under Trump 2.0, or is the green agenda facing its biggest existential test yet?Key Topics We Cover:📉 Why "Drill, Baby, Drill" might spell doom for energy equities but a windfall for supply.⚛️ The real path forward for nuclear energy in a tech-driven future.🛢️ How America’s hydrocarbon bounty could reshape foreign policy—and why Europe should brace itself.🤝 The shifting power dynamics in BRICS and why Brazil’s Lula might be playing 4D chess.🌐 Why geopolitics is veering toward a dangerous game of brinkmanship across Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine.Best Quote: "Industrial might is a derivative of energy abundance. Let’s rebuild domestic industry. Energy is life; the absence of it is death." – DoombergHit PLAY now to dive into one of the most insightful energy and geopolitical discussions of the year!Chapters:0:00 - Intro3:45 - Trump’s Return: What it Means for Energy15:30 - Big Tech’s Nuclear Gamble23:00 - BRICS, Brazil, and the U.S. Pivot to the Western Hemisphere35:00 - Middle East Flashpoints: Israel vs. Iran45:00 - Taiwan’s Energy Crisis and Lessons from GermanyDon’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more hard-hitting conversations.#EnergyCrisis #Geopolitics #Doomberg #TrumpEnergyPolicy #BigTech #NuclearPower #GreenEnergy #OilAndGas #BRICS #AdvisorAnalystShare your thoughts in the comments below—what's your take on the future of energy under Trump?Copyright © Raise Your Average, AdvisorAnalyst

In this episode Pierre and Adam sit down with Larry Swedroe, well-known expert in evidence-based investment strategies and former CIO at Buckingham Wealth Partners. They get into Larry's views on market forecasting, why investors should ignore short-term predictions, and the importance of building resilient and hyper-diversified portfolios to mitigate market risks. Swedroe emphasizes the inefficiency of individual stock selection and market timing, advocating instead for systematic, rule-based investment strategies. Additionally, he offers insights into the historical performance of various asset classes and how to think about risk in portfolio construction.00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer00:27 Welcoming Larry Swedroe00:38 Larry's Background and Expertise01:00 The Importance of Forecasting02:11 Larry's Take on Market Predictions04:12 Challenges in Economic Forecasting07:03 Investment Strategies and Market Risks12:07 The Value of Diversification22:40 Key Investment Principles33:13 The Importance of Staying the Course44:35 Exploring Portfolio Diversification45:39 The Importance of Education in Investing47:28 Understanding Risk and Asset Allocation49:11 The Role of Alternatives in a Diversified Portfolio56:03 Behavioral Finance and Investor Psychology59:46 Advising Clients on Investment Strategies01:05:23 The Significance of Diversification01:23:06 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections*****************************Where to find Larry Swedroe*****************************Larry Swedroe on X (@larryswedroe)Larry Swedroe on Linkedin#InvestmentStrategies, #MarketRiskManagement, #PortfolioDiversification, #AlternativeInvestments, #LarrySwedroe, #StockMarketInsightsCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst

Pierre welcomes back Ilan Kolet, Institutional Portfolio Manager at Fidelity Investments. This episode delves into Ilan's expert analysis on U.S. and Canadian economies amid ongoing global economic shifts. Discover insights on the Fed's unprecedented rate cuts, the productivity expansion in the U.S., challenges facing the Canadian economy, and Fidelity's tactical asset allocation positioning. Ilan also shares his experience and insight from the NABE conference and thoughts on the future of fiscal and monetary policy. Explore investment strategies and gain valuable perspectives on navigating today's markets.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer00:20 Guest Introduction: Ilan Kolet01:38 Market Overview: 2024 Insights02:25 Fed's Decision and Implications04:14 Productivity Expansion in the U.S.09:05 Comparing U.S. and Canadian Economies13:31 NABE Conference Highlights22:47 Divergence in US and Canadian Monetary Policies23:21 Strategic Use of the Canadian Dollar24:58 Impact of Interest Rate Differentials25:48 Canada's Economic Growth Drivers29:11 Decoupling of the Canadian Dollar from Oil Prices31:28 US Shale Revolution and Its Implications32:31 China's Economic Influence on Canada33:49 Tactical Asset Allocation Strategies37:44 Impact of US Election on Economic Policies40:57 Fixed Income and Commodities Exposure45:28 Ongoing Research and Portfolio Adjustments48:32 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst.com

In this episode of the Insight is Capital podcast, Pierre talks to Martin Lefebvre, Chief Investment Officer at National Bank Investments. They explore Martin's outlook on the economy, fixed income, and equities, amid a backdrop of U.S. stock highs, falling bond yields, and changing labor market indicators. They discuss the recent Federal Reserve's 50 bps interest rate cut and its implications, the potential for a soft economic landing, and the intricacies of the U.S. and Canadian housing markets. Additionally, Lefebvre delves into strategies for handling expected market volatility ahead of the U.S. election and the broader implications of global economic factors on investment strategies. The conversation provides valuable insights into asset allocation amid economic pressures and highlights the importance of a balanced investment approach in current markets.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer00:20 Guest Introduction: Martin Lefebvre01:31 Market Overview and Economic Outlook03:30 Federal Reserve's Rate Cut Decision06:25 Impact on Fixed Income Strategies09:52 Recession Risks and Asset Allocation19:15 U.S. Election and Market Volatility30:16 Geographical Positioning35:46 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst