The Living Market Podcast

The AI conundrum: opportunity and risk

AI is having two seemingly contradictory effects on the markets, says Ashish Utarid, Assistant Vice-President, Investment Strategy, IG Wealth Management. AI’s spending and projects are real, and the investment amounts are stratospheric. At the same time, AI is disrupting today’s reality, and the market is already pricing in that disruption before it’s even had a chance to affect companies’ balance sheets. Ashish explains what this means for the markets and investors.

Gold, bitcoin and the new rules of risk

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, IG Wealth Management examines the shifting roles of gold and bitcoin in the modern financial environment. He offers a thorough look at why gold continues to serve as a premier safe-haven asset during global turmoil, while bitcoin struggles with its identity. He also examines the gold-to-silver ratio and the evolving nature of risk appetite.

Maple money meets metal momentum

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, IG Wealth Management, examines a significant juncture for global markets: the Bank of Canada’s wait-and-see stance, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s likely policies during a leadership transition and a noticeable correction in precious metals. He explores how evolving signals from central banks, currency changes and valuation adjustments are influencing investor sentiment.

Interest rates: nothing to see here

While central banks have chosen to maintain their current stance, underlying uncertainty remains a significant factor. Ashish Utarid, Assistant Vice-President, Investment Strategy, IG Wealth Management, looks at the recent decisions by the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve and highlights why interest rates are no longer the dominant force in the markets. He says that growth, trade disputes, currency fluctuations and geopolitics are likely to prompt the markets’ next big moves.

Current volatility is disruptive, not destructive

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management, discusses the rise in market volatility and the headlines capturing attention in early 2026. He examines the effects of recent geopolitical and policy developments — from new trade disputes to questions about the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve — on investor confidence.

What's driving the U.S. economy's surge?

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management, explores the remarkable acceleration in U.S. economic growth, as shown by the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model. Philip uncovers the roles of trade, fiscal stimulus and regulatory credit easing, while examining the tension between robust GDP figures and a cooling labour market.

Where will tariffs take us in 2026?

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management, returns with a timely breakdown of the latest U.S. tariff developments and their broader economic consequences. He explains how tariff hikes on Canadian and Chinese imports were far lower than expected and why the most hopeful outcomes for tariffs might not lead to straightforward gains. Philip provides scenarios of how tariffs, inflation and monetary policy are shaping the investment outlook for 2026.

Fearless forecasts for 2026

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management, throws out the consensus playbook and presents three fearless forecasts for 2026. From a bold call on copper’s relentless rise and oil’s surprising rebound, to the prospect of Canadian equities outpacing their U.S. counterparts for a second year, this episode challenges market assumptions and explores where opportunity may be hiding. Philip shares analytical insights into macroeconomic drivers, sector fundamentals and global trends that could define the year ahead.

How the wealth effect will set the stage for 2026

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, IG Wealth Management, explores the fourth and final pillar of our 2026 market outlook: the wealth effect wave. He says that rising equity markets and the spending patterns of the wealthiest Americans continue to drive economic expansion. He also says consumer discretionary stocks signal economic strength and shares what disciplined investors should focus on as they navigate the markets in the year ahead.

How the AI spending boom will shape 2026

This episode explores the third pillar of our 2026 market outlook: the transformative AI supercycle. Ashish Utarid, Assistant Vice-President, Investment Strategy at IG Wealth Management, unpacks how disciplined, cash-flow-backed investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure are reshaping economic growth, enhancing productivity and driving the next phase of expansion. He says today’s AI investing cycle is fundamentally different from prior tech booms, and explores what this means for the markets and broader economy.