The Living Market Podcast

With the S&P 500 recently hitting another record high, and earnings season about to begin, IG Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Strategist, Philip Petursson asks: is the market too expensive? Philip explains that in this market of extremes — where the most expensive are very expensive — many of the remaining stocks are not. He discusses how a handful of names are leading market gains, meaning that there is plenty of value to be found elsewhere, and why high valuations aren’t a cause for panic, but a reason to be selective.  

Join Philip Petursson, IG Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Strategist, as he examines the recent U.S. trade agreements with Vietnam and the U.K., and what they reveal about the upcoming July 9 deadline for the U.S. administration's trade strategy. Philip discusses the potential scenarios and implications for global markets.

Join IG Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Strategist, Philip Petursson as he discusses the market's reaction to the politically charged shocks in 2025’s second quarter. He explores how “What, me worry?” could have been a viable investment strategy during this period and provides insights into the market's resilience amid headline-driven volatility.

“Volatility isn’t just risk, it’s also opportunity,” says Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management. This week, Philip unpacks the relationship between geopolitics and investment portfolios. Philip explains why markets demand clarity over peace and how investors can navigate uncertainty by focusing on fundamentals and diversification. He shares insights on turning volatility into opportunity and offers three principles for investing through geopolitical turmoil.

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management, delves into the current market dynamics as we head into the summer. He discusses the recent strong performance of the Nasdaq and the shift in investor sentiment from fear to cautious optimism. Philip also explores the underlying economic indicators and the renewed interest in quality and defensive stocks. Despite the market's bounce, he highlights the ongoing risks and the importance of staying vigilant in a market that rewards consistency and punishes complacency.

This week, the Bank of Canada (BoC) decided to hold its key interest rate at 2.75%, which was a surprise to nobody, says Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management. With gross domestic product a little better than expected, inflation dropping and jobs steady, a rate cut wouldn’t have made sense. Philip discusses what might have to happen in the future to lead to another rate drop, and how much room the BoC has for further cuts.

U.S. bonds took centre stage again this week, says Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management. This was due to President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which is expected to add $3.3 trillion to the U.S. deficit over the next decade. Philip says that U.S. Treasury bonds are now considered almost as risky as Microsoft’s; he explains how we got to this unusual situation and what it means for investors. 

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management, discusses the recent downgrade of U.S. debt by Moody’s and Fitch, and why these downgrades matter more symbolically than financially. He explains the market's reaction to past downgrades and the underlying reasons why Treasuries remain a safe haven, despite the ratings.

Ashish Utarid, Assistant Vice-President, Investment Strategy at IG Wealth Management delves into the recent 90-day mutual tariff reduction deal between the U.S. and China and its immediate impact on global markets. He explains how the reduction in tariffs has provided much-needed relief, leading to a surge in equities, but also cautions that deeper issues in the trade relationship remain unresolved. Ashish discusses the potential long-term implications and why investors should maintain a balanced perspective, despite the current market optimism.

In this special edition of The Living Market, Aurèle Courcelles Vice-President, Tax and Estate Planning at IG Wealth Management and Dan Britton, Assistant Vice-President, Tax and Estate Planning at IG Wealth Management, discuss the key elements of a comprehensive estate plan and why it's crucial for Canadians. They explore the common misconceptions about estate planning, the importance of having a will and the potential pitfalls of not considering joint ownership and beneficiary designations. Dan also provides practical advice on how to get started with estate planning and the critical role of communication with your chosen executor.