In this episode of Global Thinking, Forstrong Portfolio Manager Rob Duncan sits down with friend of the firm, Chris McHaney, Executive Vice President and Head of Investment Management and Strategy at Global X Investments Canada Inc., for a wide-ranging conversation on where global capital is moving, and why.

Many of the themes Chris is tracking - rising defense spending, a potential commodities supercycle, renewed interest in international markets like EAFE and India - align closely with Forstrong’s own global investment roadmap. Both firms share a belief that in an increasingly fractured world, opportunity lies in regions and sectors that many investors are still underestimating.

They also unpack the role of covered call ETFs in generating yield, and explore how fixed income is re-emerging as a strategic allocation. From inflation trends to interest rate dynamics and the strength of the U.S. dollar, this episode is rich with insight for globally minded investors.

Topped off with a few summer reading picks and some contrarian takes, it’s a fast-paced and practical conversation that reinforces Forstrong’s commitment to thinking differently about where the world is headed next.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Global Thinking Podcast

01:21 Understanding GlobalX Investments and Chris’s Role

06:31 Market Outlook and Investment Strategies

07:00 Navigating Market Volatility and Diversification

10:57 Global Investment Opportunities and Rebalancing

16:16 The Rise of Defense Spending as an Investment Theme

19:21 Interest Rates and Fixed Income Perspectives

23:32 Currency Trends and Hedging Strategies

26:38 Commodities and the Potential Supercycle

32:14 Trends in the ETF Industry and Flows

34:47 Exploring Covered Call ETF Strategies

51:01 Book Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

Book Recommendation:

Thinking in Bets, Annie Duke

Disclosures: https://forstrong.com/disclosures/

Global Thinking Podcast Series - https://forstrong.com/podcast/

Global Thinking Insights - https://forstrong.com/insights/

Who is Forstrong Global - https://forstrong.com/who-we-are/

Ask Forstrong - https://forstrong.com/category/ask-forstrong/

Invest With Us - https://forstrong.com/invest-with-us/

Thank for you listening, please considering leaving a review and subscribing for future episodes.

For any questions, comments or suggested topics please reach out to Rob Duncan, rduncan@forstrong.com

In this episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with Forstrong Portfolio Manager, Terry Shaunessy, to unpack how investors are navigating a world where political theatrics, including Trump’s tariff flip-flops, no longer move markets like they used to. They explore why the U.S. may need to consider a GST-style tax, why service-based economies could be the next big growth engine, and how market strategies need to adapt to volatility fatigue.

The conversation also dives into the Canadian economic puzzle: a stable banking sector weighed down by real estate drag and stagnant productivity. Meanwhile, global markets are showing signs of normalization, and gold continues its quiet rally as a store of value. It's a wide-ranging, timely discussion that blends macro insight with practical takeaways, ideal for investors trying to keep their footing through the policy-induced whiplash of today’s markets.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Global Thinking Podcast

01:06 Insights from Terry on Global Markets

02:19 The Impact of Tariffs and Trump's Policies

08:43 Market Reactions and Economic Signals

12:51 The Future of U.S. Markets and Economic Growth

20:06 Analyzing the Canadian Economy and Investment Opportunities

24:04 Final Thoughts on Economic Outlook and Gold Investment

Disclosures: https://forstrong.com/disclosures/

Global Thinking Podcast Series - https://forstrong.com/podcast/

Global Thinking Insights - https://forstrong.com/insights/

Who is Forstrong Global - https://forstrong.com/who-we-are/

Ask Forstrong - https://forstrong.com/category/ask-forstrong/

Invest With Us - https://forstrong.com/invest-with-us/

Thank for you listening, please considering leaving a review and subscribing for future episodes.

For any questions, comments or suggested topics please reach out to Rob Duncan, rduncan@forstrong.com

Global Thinking: Power Shifts, Trade Rifts, and Investment Lifts

In this no-holds-barred episode of the Global Thinking Podcast, host Rob Duncan sits down with AGF Investments CEO and CIO, Kevin McCreadie, to unpack the chaos, clarity, and contradictions shaping markets in 2025.

From political plot twists in Canada to the unpredictable theatre of Trump 2.0, they dive into how power moves and policy pivots are reshaping capital flows. Is U.S. exceptionalism running out of runway? Will Canada finally find its economic groove? And what does Europe’s fiscal awakening and China's evolving role mean for global portfolios?

Kevin brings hard-earned insight on asset allocation in uncertain times, the growing appetite for alternatives, and why investors can’t afford to ignore geopolitical risk anymore. They also touch on AI’s rapid disruption and how smart advisors are getting ahead of the curve.

If you're looking for sugar-coated optimism, look elsewhere. But if you want the unfiltered take on where markets are headed and what it means for your money, this is the episode.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Global Thinking Podcast

(01:06) Kevin McCready's Role and Tenure at AGF Investments

(03:20) Transformations in the Asset Management Industry

(06:30) The Importance of Asset Allocation

(08:07) Market Commentary: Understanding Current Trends

(12:08) US Market Dynamics and Sector Performance

(15:20) The Concept of US Exceptionalism

(18:23) Political Landscape and Its Economic Implications

(19:54) Interest Rates and Economic Strategies

(24:04) The Trade War and Its Consequences

(26:47) Canada's Political Shift and Economic Outlook

(27:43) Navigating Political Landscapes and Economic Agendas

(30:55) Canada's Global Standing and Trade Dynamics

(34:36) Geopolitical Impacts on Europe and Defense Spending

(38:04) Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges

(40:20) Investor Sentiment and Market Outlook

(42:14) The Future of AI and Its Implications

Disclosures: https://forstrong.com/disclosures/

Global Thinking Podcast Series - https://forstrong.com/podcast/

Global Thinking Insights - https://forstrong.com/insights/

Who is Forstrong Global - https://forstrong.com/who-we-are/

Ask Forstrong - https://forstrong.com/category/ask-forstrong/

Invest With Us - https://forstrong.com/invest-with-us/

Books Mentioned:

The Coming Wave…Mustafa Suleyman

Nexus …Yuval Noah Harari

AI 2024….Kai Fu-Lee

Thank for you listening, please considering leaving a review and subscribing for future episodes.

For any questions, comments or suggested topics please reach out to Rob Duncan, rduncan@forstrong.com