Policy uncertainty, softening economic data, and shifting market dynamics are raising important questions about the outlook for markets and the economy. Join our dynamic hosts Kevin Headland and Macan Nia as they welcome our very own Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager Nathan Thooft to the podcast for the very first time. In this candid, in-depth conversation, Nathan shares his views on everything from recession risks and tariff impacts to asset allocation, fixed-income strategy, and regional equity market disparities. Additionally, Nathan talks about the growing role of private assets, the evolution of cryptocurrencies, and the rise of artificial intelligence in the asset management industry. Don’t miss out on this exclusive sit-down with the head of our Multi-Asset Solutions Team.

We’re just weeks away from yet another school year—but not before Macan heads out on a last-minute vacation. Will Kevin be forced to deal with a market fallout in his absence? Join our dynamic co-chief investment strategists as they joke about the market’s tendency to correct when Macan is out of office. Listen in as they weigh the balance of risks affecting the global economy and discuss what corporations are saying about today’s market environment. Get the scoop on markets and the economy as summer nears its end. Tune in to this episode of Investments Unplugged for insight before the back-to-school period ramps up.

Summer has officially kicked into high gear, and many of us are looking to wind down and bask in the heat. Yet, headlines continue to pour in—making it important to stay on top of market developments. Join our dynamic Co-Chief Investment Strategists Kevin Headland, CIM, and Macan Nia, CFA, as they weigh in on some of the latest news stories, including U.S. dollar weakness, rate cut prospects amid mounting political pressures, and the broader implications of the U.S. administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Looking to stay connected this summer? Tune in to Investments Unplugged for talking points that are surely top of mind for investors. Don’t miss this one.

Warmer days are on the horizon, and while many of us are planning our next vacation spots, others are looking back at the half year and recalibrating their portfolios for what lies ahead. What happened to markets in the first half of the year? What can we expect as we move into the year’s final stretch? Tune in to our new podcast episode as our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Kevin Headland and Macan Nia discuss the opportunities and risks affecting the global economy, including U.S. tariff policy, decelerations in global manufacturing, and the role of corporate earnings as a potential driver of market performance. Will the chaos and unpredictability witnessed during the first six months of 2025 prevail in the months ahead? Listen in to our episode for all this and more. Intended for Investment Professionals, investors should connect with their financial advisor for more information

Is the greenback currently at an inflection point? Listen in as our Capital Markets Strategy Team weighs in on the U.S. administration’s proposed economic and trade initiatives, including the Mar-a-Lago Accord—a modern echo of the 1985 Plaza Accord. Explore the implications of devaluing the U.S. dollar in today’s global economy and learn more about trade deficits and some of the bold ideas from White House chief economist Stephen Miran. Can the U.S. dollar maintain its reserve currency status? Is multilateral cooperation even possible in today’s geopolitical climate? Tune in to our podcast episode for all this and more

The magnitude of the U.S. administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs surely caught investors off guard. How did markets react to the news? Will U.S. trade policy reshape global trade dynamics? Join our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Kevin Headland and Macan Nia as they discuss the market’s strong reaction to President Trump’s announcement on April 2. Is this a policy play or part of a deeper structural shift? How will upcoming congressional outreach factor into the evolving economic picture? Stay on top of this rapidly evolving situation—don’t miss out on our new podcast episode.

European equities have recently outpaced their U.S. counterparts, setting the stage for a potential resurgence in overseas markets. Is this the start of a significant rotation into European equities? Join our Co-Chief Investment Strategists, Kevin Headland and Macan Nia, as they underscore the current momentum driving European equities and discuss improvements in European manufacturing. Find out how a significant rise in defense spending across various European countries could help stimulate the economy through infrastructure, logistics, and other support service enhancements. Don't miss this insightful discussion—tune in to our latest podcast episode for all this and more!

Rising tensions, evolving trade policies, and potential tariffs have sparked widespread discussions—even going as far as rallying hockey fans on both sides of the Canada-US border. Are these policies merely a negotiation tactic, or do they signal a shift in North American trade dynamics? Join our Co-Chief Investment Strategists, Kevin Headland and Macan Nia, as they explore the latest trade developments and their potential implications for Canadian investors. In an in-depth conversation with Dominique Lapointe, Global Macro Strategist, Multi-Asset Solutions Team, we zero in on tariffs and trade disputes and examine their potential impact on Canada’s economy. Tune in to our latest episode for insight on this evolving landscape.

2025 is in full swing! What can we expect from equity and fixed income markets as the year gradually unfolds? Our first podcast episode of 2025 is an absolute must-listen. Hear from our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Kevin Headland and Macan Nia, as they delve into the opportunities and challenges shaping the market landscape this year. Can we expect some volatility up ahead? No matter what’s in store for investors in the coming months, it’s important not to get overly cautious or fearful. Stay the course, and as always, remember to stay invested—especially when there are bumps along the way. Tune in as our experts underscore some of the key developments in 2025. This is one episode of Investments Unplugged you won’t want to miss!

The festive holiday season is upon us and what better time than now to reflect and prepare for the road ahead. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to hear from Kevin and Macan as they look to 2025 and share their thoughts on equity and fixed income developments. Will equity fundamentals continue to be a defining theme in the new year? What role will security selection and duration management play in the fixed income space? Tune in to the year’s last episode of Investments Unplugged, as our experts delve into their base case, bull case and bear case scenarios for 2025. This is one episode you just can’t miss. Be sure to tune in! Intended for Investment Professionals, investors should connect with their financial advisor for more information.

Data surprises, recession concerns, shifting U.S. Federal Reserve policy? What if building a resilient portfolio mattered more than predicting future outcomes. This month, our Co-Chief Investment Strategist Kevin Headland had the pleasure of sitting down with Mawer Investment Management’s President and Portfolio Manager Jim Hall to discuss how patience and discipline play a crucial role in navigating volatile markets. Listen in as Jim delves into some of our flagship funds and reminds us to approach investing with a steady hand. As markets fluctuate, a well thought-out, long-term strategy remains the cornerstone of success. Here’s to embracing the journey and mastering The Art of Boring in investing! Be sure to tune in to our podcast episode.

Here we are—100 episodes and 7 years later! This truly is a remarkable milestone for our Investments Unplugged podcast, which has seen roughly 86,000 downloads since the pilot episode aired all those years ago. In this month’s celebratory episode, we get up close and personal with our dynamic hosts and Co-Chief Investment Strategists: Kevin Headland and Macan Nia. Take a trip down memory lane as they reflect on their careers and offer valuable insight to aspiring young investment professionals. Considering a career in markets or investing? Think you could benefit from the lessons they’ve learned over the years? Tune in as Kevin and Macan look through the rearview mirror and commemorate their 100th episode. This is one episode you just can’t miss. Be sure to tune in!

Children are heading back to the classroom for yet another school year. What better time than now to reinforce our portfolios with lessons learned from our early childhood? This month, our Co-Chief Investment Strategists Kevin Headland and Macan Nia address economic concerns, equities and fixed income developments, and the art of managing volatility—all through the lens of some our favourite children’s classics. Get ready to revisit some of your favourite childhood gems and gear up for the final stretch of 2024 with this truly unique perspective on markets. Don’t miss out on this podcast episode.

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 Sanders, our Senior Managing Director, and Portfolio Manager of the Manulife U.S. All Cap Equity Fund. In an interactive discussion moderated by our Co-Chief Investment Strategist Macan Nia, Sandy chimes in on everything from the U.S. economy to the ongoing A.I. frenzy, U.S. elections and rotations across market capitalizations. Tune in to our new episode to learn more.

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 investments, outlining the key differences between traditional income solutions and our new Manulife Smart Enhanced Yield ETFs. Tune in to our new episode to learn more.

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 investment process that highlights cash flow as the real driver of economic value, Patrick and his team look to uncover the best ideas at attractive valuations. Tune into our new episode to learn more.

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 about opportunities, risks, and how to navigate a complex world. While they usually end happily ever after, the path 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 equity markets through a fairytale lens. We pay particular attention to how children’s classics are relatable to managing risks and uncovering opportunities in the current investment landscape. Tune into our new episode to learn more.

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 portfolio managers of these strategies Chris Chapman and Roshan Thiru as they outline their investment approaches and delve into the key differentiators that set their teams apart. Tune into our new episode to learn more.

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 assets in your portfolios. Don’t miss out on this special edition of Investments Unplugged.