In the Money with Amber Kanwar

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.Timestamps00:00 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 decisions13:30 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)SponsorsFor 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 informationLinkshttps://inthemoneypod.com/ https://instagram.com/inthemoneypodhttps://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod https://tiktok.com/@[email protected] 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.Timestamps00:00 Show intro03:30 Looking at the Canadian energy patch pre and post Venezuela invasion06:00 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 power23:00 Cole Smead ‘this too will pass’, why Cole still likes Canadian energy26:00 Pipeline pressure and supply and demand30:45  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 ideasSponsorsFor 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 informationLinkshttps://inthemoneypod.com/ https://instagram.com/inthemoneypodhttps://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod https://tiktok.com/@[email protected] 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

In the final instalment of our special series on alternative investing, host Paige Ellis sits down with Sachin Shah, CEO of Brookfield Wealth Solutions for a deep dive into the private-markets playbook that helped build one of the world’s most powerful alternative asset managers and what retail investors can learn from it.With more than two decades inside Brookfield, Sachin shares how private equity, infrastructure, real estate, private credit, and insurance are reshaping long-term portfolio construction. He explains why alternatives have “seasoned” into a mainstream asset class, how pension funds and sovereign wealth funds paved the way, and why retail investors are now being invited in — just as retirement shortfalls become harder to ignore.The conversation digs into where Brookfield is seeing opportunity today, from mispricing in global real estate to long-duration infrastructure and the massive capital demands of the AI build-out. Sachin also addresses the risks investors worry about most — liquidity, leverage, valuation transparency — and explains how Brookfield thinks about downside protection, balance-sheet discipline, and intrinsic value across market cycles.As the series wraps, Sachin offers a clear framework for investors who have little or no exposure to private markets, including how to think about starting small, understanding liquidity trade-offs, and positioning alternatives in a long-term retirement plan.This episode closes out our deep dive into alternative investing — and sets the stage for what comes next as private markets continue to reshape the future of investing.Timestamps00:00 Questrade’s new tools for investors. Use promo code INTHEMONEY1:45 Show intro with Paige Ellis03:45 Sachin Shah on his early days at Brookfield and the lessons learned07:10 Defining alternatives in 202509:10 Why has private investing now gone mainstream?10:30 Where is Brookfield deploying capital geographically? 13:00 Have tariffs changed the outlook?14:40 Mispricing in the real estate market 18:00 Where Brookfield is being cautious20:30 There are too many PE firms22:50 Brookfield knows what they’re good at and what they’re not23:50 Sachin’s thoughts on evergreen funds26:45 Regulators and private investing30:25 Are institutions tapped out? Is that why alts are going after retail?33:05 The fee discussion34:50 How do you value an asset in the private world?36:40 Insurers & private equity39:30 Where does Sachin see the biggest areas of growth?41:10 The Brookfield niche in the AI buildout45:00 What keeps Sachin up at night?46:50 Where should investors start to get private exposure? SponsorsSign up for your first self-directed account at https://questrade.com. Get your $50 cash reward when you use the promo code: INTHEMONEY. Or open a QuestWealth Portfolios account and your first $10,000 will be managed for free for one year. Promo code: INTHEMONEY.  Join the Questrade Pro Waitlist: https://www.questrade.com/questrade-proFor 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 informationLinkshttps://inthemoneypod.com/ https://instagram.com/inthemoneypodhttps://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod https://tiktok.com/@[email protected] 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

Real estate is one of the most talked-about alternative investments — but what does it actually look like in practice?In the second instalment of our special series on alternative investing, host Paige Ellis sits down with Lindsey Deluce,  CTV Your Morning host and an active real estate investor building long-term wealth outside the stock market. Lindsey opens up about her real-world investing journey, from early renovations in Toronto to scaling a growing portfolio of multi-unit properties across Ontario.Lindsey breaks down the BRRRR strategy — buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat — and explains how she uses renovations, tenant turnover, and creative financing to unlock equity and grow her portfolio. She shares how her approach evolved after the pandemic, why she moved beyond Toronto, and how she evaluates cash flow and risk in today’s market.This conversation goes beyond theory. Lindsey gets candid about hearing “no” from banks, navigating appraisals, working with alternative lenders, and why building the right team — from contractors to mortgage brokers — is critical to success. She also shares her ambitious “50 by 50” goal and how she’s using real estate to create generational wealth.If you’re curious how real estate fits into the broader world of alternative investing — and what it really takes to make the numbers work — this episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look from someone doing it in real time.Timestamps00:00 Questrade’s new tools for investors. Use promo code INTHEMONEY01:45 Show intro with Paige Ellis03:45 Why did Lindsey choose to become a real estate investor?05:20 Assessing different real estate investment strategies07:20 What is the BRRR method and Lindsey’s 50 by 50 goal10:20 How to approach buying a property 13:20 Why Lindsey is focused outside of Toronto14:40 What does the renovation part look like?17:15 What about when things go wrong?19:10 Becoming a landlord 22:20 The refinance stage24:40 Financing solutions and non-bank lenders26:20 How do you know if you’re ready to jump back in and what step does Lindsey like the best?28:10 What about rates? Is it a more difficult environment right now?29:30 Realistically how much capital do you need to get started?31:00 What’s a realistic timeline for getting your money out? And what about lessons learned  33:20 Can anyone get started? SponsorsSign up for your first self-directed account at https://questrade.com. Get your $50 cash reward when you use the promo code: INTHEMONEY. Or open a QuestWealth Portfolios account and your first $10,000 will be managed for free for one year. Promo code: INTHEMONEY.  Join the Questrade Pro Waitlist: https://www.questrade.com/questrade-proFor 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 informationLinkshttps://inthemoneypod.com/ https://instagram.com/inthemoneypodhttps://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod https://tiktok.com/@[email protected] 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 if the biggest investing opportunities aren’t in stocks at all?This episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar kicks off a brand-new special series on Alternative Investing, starting with a candid conversation between Amber and longtime colleague Paige Ellis, who takes over hosting duties for the series. Together, they set the stage for why private markets, once reserved for institutions and ultra-wealthy investors, are rapidly moving into the mainstream — and what that shift means for everyday portfolios.Paige is then joined by Mario Giannini, Executive Co-Chairman of Hamilton Lane, a private markets powerhouse overseeing nearly $1 trillion in assets. Drawing on decades of experience, Giannini explains why public companies are disappearing, why private capital now dominates everything from AI implementation to infrastructure, and how investors should think about illiquidity not as a flaw, but as a feature.The conversation tackles some of the most pressing questions investors have about alternatives: how much of a portfolio should be allocated to private assets, why private credit has quietly outperformed for years, what risks are misunderstood, and why evergreen structures are reshaping access for high-net-worth and retail investors alike. Giannini also weighs in on AI valuations, secondaries, infrastructure, Canada’s investment outlook, and why future growth in private markets may be driven by individuals rather than institutions.This is the first episode in a three-part deep dive into alternatives — a reset on how capital is allocated in a world where the most valuable companies may never go public.Timestamps00:00 Questrade’s new tools for investors. Use promo code INTHEMONEY01:45 A look into our special series on alternatives06:00 SPECIAL GAME: What is an alternative asset?13:45 How sideways deals have informed Mario Giannini’s investment approach16:30 How private investing became much more popular after the GFC18:00 Why you need private exposure because public companies are disappearing20:40 Private markets outperforming public markets22:50 Are there cracks in private credit? 25:45 Is AI in a bubble?27:45 AI & private markets30:30 What is Mario bullish on right now? 32:10 The good news and bad news about Canada35:00 Why Hamilton Lane was one of the first to offer private investment vehicles to individuals and why a downturn might be necessary39:20 The liquidity question44:00 Understanding gating and why it’s happening46:50 How much of a portfolio should be in private investments? 51:00 Is there an area of private investments where retail has an edge? SponsorsSign up for your first self-directed account at https://questrade.com. Get your $50 cash reward when you use the promo code: INTHEMONEY. Or open a QuestWealth Portfolios account and your first $10,000 will be managed for free for one year. Promo code: INTHEMONEY.  Join the Questrade Pro Waitlist: https://www.questrade.com/questrade-proFor 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 informationLinkshttps://inthemoneypod.com/ https://instagram.com/inthemoneypodhttps://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod https://tiktok.com/@[email protected] 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