In the Money with Amber Kanwar

Prime Minister Mark Carney declared a new world order at Davos this week, what does that mean for your money? In this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar, Amber sits down with David Picton, CEO of PICTON Investments, Canada’s largest hedge fund, to unpack what a shifting global order means for investors.
From the breakdown of the traditional 60/40 portfolio to the growing role of alternatives, Picton argues that investors are navigating a fundamentally different market regime. He explains why stocks and bonds no longer provide the diversification they once did, how inflation and massive fiscal spending are changing correlations, and why portfolio construction now matters as much as individual security selection. Picton outlines a He outlines his firm’s 40/30/30 framework  blending equities, bonds, and alternatives for a more flexible, total-portfolio approach that treats assets as return streams rather than rigid categories — an evolution he believes is essential as volatility, policy uncertainty, and global fragmentation reshape markets.
In Pro Picks, Picton highlights Rocket Companies (RKT) as a high-conviction idea that reflects his firm’s framework. He explains why Rocket’s scale, data advantage, and aggressive use of AI position it to benefit from consolidation in the U.S. mortgage market, especially as refinancing activity eventually returns and housing affordability becomes a political priority. As a bonus, Picton also discusses why his firm is increasingly cautious on big-cap technology, arguing that the easy phase of the AI trade is over and that selective short exposure may now play a role as winners and losers begin to separate.
Timestamps
00:00 Show Trailer
02:00 Intro
05:50 David Picton’s early journey
07:25 Picton’s total portfolio approach and the importance of alternatives
12:00 60/40 doesn’t work anymore, Picton’s is 40/30/30
13:50 A new world order and new world investing order
15:50 The reality of being a hedge fund manager
17:30 Expect a broadening of the rally
20:00 Picton’s investing outlook for 2026
25:10 Watching the bond market and where do investors go for a return?
27:20 Gold & gold stocks
32:00 Energy & energy stocks 
33:15 Using hedging strategies
35:20 Maybe there is some method to Trump’s madness 
37:00 The sell America trade 
40:00 More on Picton’s alternative strategy
43:20 The real estate question
44:40: Picton’s Pro Picks (RKT + bonus) 

Sponsors
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial.  Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://inthemoneypod.com/ 
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod 
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
[email protected]
DISCLAIMERS 
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.
In the Money delivers expert stock picks, actionable ideas, and timely money management tips. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers who suggest ways to achieve good returns. Covering everything from ETFs and Canadian stocks to global investing trends, dividend strategies, and risk management, this show is made for DIY investors, stock market enthusiasts, and anyone looking to sharpen their financial strategy.

Contact: [email protected]

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EQB was the worst-performing bank stock last year. A housing slowdown, a spike in provisions for credit losses, and the sudden passing of longtime CEO Andrew Moor left investors with a lot to digest. But in the banking sector, there’s an old market adage — “worst will be first” — the idea that last year’s laggard often leads the group in the following year. 
On this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar, Amber sits down with Chadwick Westlake, the new President & CEO of EQB. Westlake opens up about stepping into leadership during a moment of crisis, stabilizing the business, and resetting focus at a disruptive Canadian financial institution. 
Westlake explains what it truly means to be Canada’s Challenger Bank — from lending to self-employed Canadians, newcomers and entrepreneurs to taking a loan-by-loan approach to risk in a housing market which many investors fear is a systemic problem. Amber presses on the “mortgage cliff” of 2026, provisions for credit losses, and what EQB is modeling for unemployment and consumer strain. Chadwick outlines why the bank expects more volatility, why he sees cautious reasons for optimism later in 2026, and why EQB believes it’s positioned to navigate renewals differently with an average mortgage duration closer to two years. 
Then comes the blockbuster: EQB’s transformational deal to acquire PC Financial and become the exclusive financial partner of PC Optimum — a move that brings millions of Canadians into EQB’s ecosystem and reshapes the future of competition in Canadian banking. Westlake explains why scale matters, why challenger banks need urgency rather than complacency, and how this deal positions EQB to challenge the status quo. 
The conversation also digs into valuation, buybacks, and ownership concentration and what all that means for decision making and accountability. 
Finally, Westlake shares his candid views on Canada itself — arguing that the country needs to move faster and take greater ownership of its economic future. He speaks about productivity, competitiveness, and why Canadian businesses and policymakers must act with more urgency in a rapidly changing global environment. For Westlake, building a stronger challenger bank is inseparable from building a stronger Canada — one that competes, innovates, and backs its own talent with conviction.
Timestamps
00:00 Show trailer 
02:00 Intro 
04:20 What does it mean to be a challenger bank?
07:30 Why Chadwick took the CEO role after the death of longtime CEO Andrew Moor 
10:40 What was going wrong in 2025 as he stepped into the role?
13:20 Chadwick on the housing market 
16:20 Does Canada have a systemic housing problem?
18:30 Skepticism about the EQB strategy
21:00 What EQB look like in 5 years?
23:00 EQB has modelled for more pain
24:30 Why the mortgage renewal cliff doesn’t impact EQB and losses tied to housing
26:10 What does lower immigration mean for growth? 
28:00 EQB’s deal with PC Financial 
32:30 Question marks surrounding the deal
36:10 EQB’s word for 2026: Reimagine 
38:30 What does it mean for EQB’s risk profile?
40:30 EQB’s structure, decision making and accountability
43:00 Does the deal change EQB’s profile as a takeover target?
45:10 What can EQB do in wealth that isn’t already being done? 
47:00 Canada needs to take hold of its destiny and fast 

Sponsors
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial.  Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://inthemoneypod.com/ 
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod 
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
[email protected]
DISCLAIMERS 
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.
In the Money delivers expert stock picks, actionable ideas, and timely money management tips. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers who suggest ways to achieve good returns. Covering everything from ETFs and Canadian stocks to global investing trends, dividend strategies, and risk management, this show is made for DIY investors, stock market enthusiasts, and anyone looking to sharpen their financial strategy.
Contact: [email protected]

#IntheMoney #Investing #StockMarket #CanadianInvesting #FinancialNews

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David Burrows is back — and he’s bringing receipts. When he joined In the Money with Amber Kanwar last year, his call that Canada would behave more like a global market than a U.S. tech-heavy one went viral… and then it played out. Now, the Chairman & CIO of Barometer Capital Management, returns with the same message, only louder: the market is shifting — and the forces driving the new leadership are getting stronger. Burrows explains why investors may need to look beyond the familiar tech trade, and why commodities, financials, defence, and selective international exposure are increasingly doing the heavy lifting as we head deeper into 2026.
In the Mailbag, Burrows goes stock-by-stock across a packed lineup. He starts with JP Morgan (JPM), explaining why he still sees it as the best house in a financials-led neighborhood, then tackles TD (TD) after its massive run and why he’s wary of second-guessing a bull market in banks. From there, he goes global with Banco Santander (SAN), breaking down why it’s become a core holding and what investors miss when they only focus on the Canadian Big Five. He then digs into defence — including Kratos (KTOS) and AeroVironment (AVAV) — along with broader exposure through ETFs like iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA), Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA), and iShares European Defence ETF (EUAD). In industrials, he weighs in on Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) and CN Rail (CN), plus Canadian names like Aecon (ARE) and TFI International (TFII), and explains why “broken charts” can remain traps without a true trend reversal. He also touches on mega-cap tech exposure through holdings like Alphabet (GOOGL), NVIDIA (NVDA), Broadcom (AVGO), and Lam Research (LRCX), before pivoting to healthcare’s improving breadth via the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI), leaders like Eli Lilly (LLY), and renewed momentum in Moderna (MRNA). He closes the mailbag with commodities, discussing Alamos Gold (AGI) and M&A chatter in miners Glencore (GLEN) and Rio Tinto (RIO), and why these cycles often last longer than investors expect.
In Pro Picks, Burrows revisits ideas that have already delivered — including JP Morgan (JPM), Fairfax Financial (FFH), and Agnico Eagle (AEM) — and explains why big gains don’t automatically mean it’s time to sell in a structural bull market. He then delivers a commodity-heavy set of high-conviction picks built for what he sees as the next phase of leadership: Hudbay Minerals (HBM) as a way to play tightening copper supply, Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM) for lower-volatility precious-metals exposure with silver leverage, and Headwater Exploration (HWX) as a low-cost way to position for energy catching a stronger bid. If last year was the preview, Burrows argues this year is the confirmation — the market’s centre of gravity is moving, and investors who adapt early can still be ahead of the crowd.
Timestamps
00:00 intro
03:05 David’s viral clip on Canada
05:00 What’s going to outperform in 2026? What are the right neighbourhoods?
07:40 David’s approach and how he recognized the market shift
11:00 Does this mean the Magnificent 7 is dead? 
13:15 Venezuela fear
14:50 Trump’s threat on the Fed 
16:30 Is the sell America trade alive in 2026?
17:50 Does each notch of uncertainty further embolden gold?
19:10 Do financials still have leadership?
21:35 ITM Mailbag: JP Morgan stock (JPM)
24:35 TD Bank stock (TD)
29:00 Banco Santander stock (SAN)
32:00 Defence stocks (KTOS, AVAV) 
36:05 CP Rail & CN Rail stocks (CP, CNR) 
37:20 Aecon stock (ARE.TO)
38:30 TFI International stock(TFII) 
41:10 Healthcare stocks (LLY, MDNA)
43:05 Alamos Gold (AGI)
 45:10 Glencore/Rio-Tinto rumour (GLEN.LON, RIO.LON)
46:40 David’s Past & Pro Picks (JPM, FFH, AEM, WPM, HWX)
58:30 Why is CNQ underperforming? 

Sponsors
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
With tools like the ETF Compare Tool and Market Insights, you can easily identify ETFs that hold your favourite stocks, match your risk tolerance, and align with your investment goals. To explore these tools, head to https://www.bmoetfs.com and check out the Tools section.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial.  Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://inthemoneypod.com/ 
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod 
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
[email protected]
DISCLAIMERS 
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.

In the Money delivers expert stock picks, market analysis, and timely investing insights. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers and financial experts. Covering everything from ETFs and Canadian stocks to global investing trends, dividend strategies, and risk management, this show is made for DIY investors, stock market enthusiasts, and anyone looking to sharpen their financial strategy.

Contact: [email protected]

#IntheMoney #Investing #StockMarket #CanadianInvesting #FinancialNews

What happens when politics collides head-on with monetary policy? On this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar, Amber sits down with legendary Fed watcher Ed Yardeni, President of Yardeni Research, to unpack what he calls an unprecedented threat to the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve — and why the market may be more resilient than the headlines suggest.
Yardeni, who once worked at the Fed and has spent more than four decades studying markets, explains why political pressure on Chair Jerome Powell could actually strengthen the Fed’s independence, not weaken it. He also lays out his core investing principle: never let politics drive portfolio decisions. Instead, earnings remain the true north star — and in Yardeni’s view, earnings continue to surprise to the upside.
Amber and Yardeni dig into his “Roaring 2020s” thesis, why he believes the U.S. economy can avoid recession, and how demographics, productivity gains, and resilient consumers are underpinning record-high profits. They also explore why geopolitical shocks often create buying opportunities — and why fears of an imminent collapse have repeatedly kept investors on the sidelines at the worst possible times.
The conversation then turns to where Yardeni is repositioning capital as market leadership broadens beyond mega-cap tech — including why he thinks the Magnificent Seven face rising competition in the AI arms race, even as the broader market benefits.
In Pro Picks, Ed Yardeni shares his highest-conviction ideas for the year ahead. He explains why he is market-weight technology but underweight the Magnificent Seven, arguing that intensifying AI competition and massive capital spending could pressure returns. Instead, he’s overweight industrials, which stand to benefit from onshoring and infrastructure investment, overweight healthcare, where an emerging M&A cycle and biotech innovation could unlock value, and overweight precious metals, with gold and the broader complex supported by central-bank buying, global uncertainty, and powerful technical momentum.
To learn more about Yardeni’s framework and ongoing market insights, check out https://yardeniquicktakes.com, his near-daily research service for individual investors.
Timestamps
00:00 Show intro 
05:40 Powell is justified in responding to Trump’s barrage of attacks 
07:00 This could end up making the Fed MORE independent 
09:15 This is perverse, unusual and unsettling 
10:15 Never let politics interfere in your investment decisions
13:30 It’s all about earnings, but is this time different? 
17:00 Geopolitical crises are great buying opportunities 
19:00 Yardeni’s roaring ‘20s thesis explained, the Gen shaped economy 
24:00 The bears will keep you out of the market and that’s a mistake 
26:30 The U.S. market relative to the rest of the world 
30:00 Ed’s Pro Picks (underweight Mag 7, overweight materials & precious metals, overweight industrials, overweight healthcare)

Sponsors
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial.  Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://inthemoneypod.com/ 
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod 
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
[email protected]
DISCLAIMERS 
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.

In the Money delivers expert stock picks, actionable ideas, and timely money management tips. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers who suggest ways to achieve good returns. Covering everything from ETFs and Canadian stocks to global investing trends, dividend strategies, and risk management, this show is made for DIY investors, stock market enthusiasts, and anyone looking to sharpen their financial strategy.

Contact: [email protected]

#IntheMoney #Investing #StockMarket #CanadianInvesting #FinancialNews

What does the Venezuela fallout mean for Canada, oil markets — and for investors trying to stay ahead of the noise? On this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar, we tackle the geopolitical shock head-on — and separate real risk from market overreaction.
Amber begins with veteran investor Frances Horodelski, setting the scene on Venezuela’s sudden return to the global spotlight. Frances breaks down why the sharp selloff in Canadian energy stocks may have been more about positioning than fundamentals. She explains how Canadian oil had already outperformed U.S. peers, why fears around Venezuelan oil supply may be overstated, and why infrastructure constraints, corruption, and pricing realities mean any meaningful production ramp will take years, not weeks. She also weighs in on USMCA/NAFTA renegotiations, Canada’s bargaining power with the U.S., the resilience of the Canadian dollar, and why investors can’t just “buy the energy ETF” anymore.
The conversation expands beyond oil to explore Bank of Canada policy, gold and gold miners, commodities, Canadian banks, and defensive sectors. Frances explains why banks, copper, and gold may be ahead of themselves, why utilities and healthcare could offer shelter, and why this environment increasingly looks like a stock picker’s market.
In the second half, Cole Smead of Smead Capital tackles the biggest question investors are asking: Does Venezuela change the global energy game? Cole argues the market is confusing headlines with fundamentals, explaining why time, capital, and physics still dominate oil markets. He outlines why fears around Canadian heavy oil may be misplaced, why WTI vs WCS spreads matter, and how potential pipeline developments could reshape long-term outcomes.
Cole also shares how he’s positioning portfolios amid volatility, why he’s leaning into Canadian heavy oil producers, avoiding short-term refinery hype, and “dreaming” where others can’t. He discusses ConocoPhillips (COP), Chevron (CVX), Canadian names like Cenovus, Canadian Natural Resources, Strathcona, Tourmaline, and Birchcliff, and why investor psychology creates opportunity when markets panic.
It’s a clear-eyed conversation about geopolitics, energy, and investor psychology — and a reminder that the market’s first reaction is rarely the final verdict.
Timestamps
00:00 Show intro
03:30 Looking at the Canadian energy patch pre and post Venezuela invasion
06:00 The oil making its way to the Gulf Coast is not a lot of oil 
07:00 It will take a very long time to get the oil out of Venezuela 
08:30 Is Canada’s bargaining power screwed?
11:00 Is Venezuela a domestic issue because it will lower oil prices?
12:30 What about Canadian banks in Latin America?
14:40 What does it mean for the gold price? 
16:30 Where can investors hide? 
18:00 What about other commodities?
20:20 The world changes when consequential people are in power
23:00 Cole Smead ‘this too will pass’, why Cole still likes Canadian energy
26:00 Pipeline pressure and supply and demand
30:45  What does it mean for U.S. energy?
34:30 What is the ideal tilt for a portfolio?
37:40 Cole is running toward Canadian heavy oil 
40:00 Time to sell or find a way to profit?
44:20 Could this mean more M&A in the Canadian energy patch?
49:00 Will this catalyze action around a pipeline?
53:15 What comes next around the world?
57:40 Is there a world where Canadian producers go to Venezuela?
59:30 Cole’s high-conviction ideas

Sponsors
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial.  Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://inthemoneypod.com/ 
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod 
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
[email protected]

DISCLAIMERS 
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.

In the Money delivers expert stock picks, actionable ideas, and timely money management tips. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers who suggest ways to achieve good returns. Covering everything from ETFs and Canadian stocks to global investing trends, dividend strategies, and risk management, this show is made for DIY investors, stock market enthusiasts, and anyone looking to sharpen their financial strategy.

Contact: [email protected]

#IntheMoney #Investing #StockMarket #CanadianInvesting #FinancialNews