Get Sharpe

What do the U.S. midterms mean for markets? Head of Policy Research at Strategas Research Partners, Dan Clifton , joins host Dustin Reid to unpack how control of Congress could shape policy, why the Senate matters for sectors such as banks, industrials, defence and health care, and how election outcomes could influence the outlook for data centres and AI investment. Then, Prerna Mathews joins Dustin to explore what these shifts could mean for advisors, including how to frame election-driven volatility with clients, why portfolio drift deserves attention in noisy markets, and where sector-level risks may matter more than broad market movements.

Being right about the market is only one part of successful investing. Author and veteran trader Brent Donnelly joins host Dustin Reid to unpack the importance of risk management and position sizing matter, how emotions can derail decisions during periods of stress, and why strong investment frameworks require room for changing your mind as necessary. Then, Prerna Mathews joins Dustin to explore what these lessons mean for advisors, exploring discipline in uncertain markets, how investment solutions are evolving and whether AI is changing the boundaries of investment expertise.

AI spending has become a major force in the U.S. economy, but the build-out is running into real-world constraints. Morgan Stanley Chief U.S. Economist Michael Gapen joins host Dustin Reid to unpack the scale of AI capital spending, why power and data centre capacity matter, and what the investment boom means for inflation and economic growth. Then, Prerna Mathews joins Dustin to look beyond the build-out, exploring the shift from building AI infrastructure to putting it to work and why the next phase of AI could look very different from the first.

The private credit headlines of late 2025 spooked some retail investors — but were they telling the full story? Dustin Reid sits down with Northleaf Vice Chair James Cowan to break down what went wrong and why institutional investors kept putting money in. Then, Prerna Mathews joins the conversation to unpack what it means for advisors and their clients. From the "four T's" of manager selection to sectors positioned for long-term growth, this is a practical conversation for any investor navigating private markets right now.

The Strait of Hormuz is dominating financial headlines but screen prices are telling a different story. Dr. Amrita Sen of Energy Aspects joins host Dustin Reid to explain why physical cargo markets are trading ten to fifty dollars above published crude benchmarks, what that divergence means for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and LNG, and why a reopening of the strait would not restore flows anywhere near pre-conflict levels. Dustin and Prerna Mathews close with the portfolio implications: real assets, inflation-linked bonds, and a higher-for-longer rate environment well into 2027.

Marko Papic , Chief Strategist at BCA Research, joins host Dustin Reid to unpack why oil and energy markets have reacted differently than broader global equities. He explores what geopolitical tensions, sticky inflation, and the AI capex boom could mean for markets. Later, co-host Prerna Mathews joins in to discuss the implications for advisors building resilient portfolios.

Ben Rabidoux , President of North Cove Advisors Inc. joins Dustin Reid and Prerna Mathews to unpack what is driving Canada’s housing market now, from weaker rental demand and condo pressure to the renewal cycle still ahead. He also lays out what to watch next as pricing stays soft and single-family moves closer to a bottom. Dustin and Prerna then widen the lens to home bias and diversification beyond Canada. Listen now for a clear housing read with portfolio context. This episode was recorded on March 25, 2026.

What happens when Fed independence isn't a given? Jens Nordvig (Founder & CEO, Exante Data; Co-Founder & CEO, MarketReader) joins Dustin Reid and Prerna Mathews to unpack the collision of politics, the courts, and the central bank. They discuss what it could mean for rates, the dollar, and broader risk appetite as challenges to the Fed’s independence intensify. Dustin and Prerna close with investment takeaways: how to think about AI exposure beyond mega-cap tech, and why global diversification and FX hedging may matter more in the next regime. Tune in for macro risks, cross-asset signals, and portfolio implications. This episode was recorded on February 24, 2026.

In this episode, Joseph Briggs , economist at Goldman Sachs, joins Dustin Reid to pressure-test the “AI bubble” debate from a top-down macro lens. They examine how big the buildout really is once you scale it properly, why the headline GDP boost can be easy to misread, and what early signals (and non-signals) to watch in productivity and the labour market. The takeaway: What to watch in the data before you change risk budgets. This episode was recorded on January 20, 2026.

Brent Donnelly of Spectra Markets and author of Alpha Trader joins Dustin Reid to unpack how market narratives form, shift, and ultimately drive price action across global macro. He shares practical insight into managing confirmation bias, curating information flow, and staying agnostic in fast-moving markets. Brent also discusses how he uses technical analysis as a risk-management tool rather than a signal generator. The conversation closes with his outlook on major FX pairs, including Canada and Japan, as we head into 2026. This episode was recorded on November 25, 2025.

From deficits to defense spending, Ali Jaffery of CIBC Economics joins Dustin Reid to assess the government’s fiscal plan and its market implications. They examine the fine balance between stimulus and discipline—and what it tells investors about the next phase of Canada’s economic cycle. This episode was recorded on November 5, 2025.

In this episode, Steve Englander , Global Head of G10 FX Strategy and North American Macro Strategy at Standard Chartered Bank, discusses the evolving US macro landscape heading into Q4. He examines the Fed's recent rate cut, the implications of rising productivity on the neutral rate, and the early impact of AI on the labour market. Steve shares his views on US dollar positioning, potential challenges to Fed independence, and downside risks to Canadian growth and currency performance. He also addresses the durability of the current carry trade environment and the broader implications of policy-driven market volatility. This episode was recorded on September 30, 2025.

In this episode, Tim Jones , Lead Policy Analyst at Medley Advisors, discusses the European Central Bank's rate outlook against a backdrop of shifting macro conditions and rising downside risks. He explores how currency moves and commodity prices could fuel disinflation, the fragility of services inflation, and what might trigger further policy easing. Tim also examines the EU's widening fiscal and political cracks within the EU, growing fiscal divergence between Germany and France, and the potential impacts of transatlantic relations with the US. Tim concludes with insights on European bond issuance and the structural shifts investors should watch for in the quarters ahead. This episode was recorded on August 13, 2025.

In this episode, Durham Abric , Head of US Inflation at Citadel Securities, shares his outlook on US inflation for the second half of 2025, the market's perception of inflation trends, and why tariff-related volatility has yet to be fully reflected in CPI numbers. He examines the Fed's current policy stance, the risks of policy missteps, and how housing market trends and immigration could influence inflation dynamics. Durham also highlights several factors that are shaping client sentiment and explains why long-duration TIPS may be undervalued in client portfolios. This episode was recorded on June 25, 2025.

In this episode, Shahab Jalinoos , Managing Director and Head of G10 FX Strategy at UBS, shares his insights into the structural forces that could weaken the US dollar and challenge its long-standing global safe haven status. He examines the breakdown of traditional cross-asset correlations and explains how shifts in hedging strategies could drive appreciation in other currencies. Shahab also discusses the key factors that could lead to a sustained weakening in the dollar's value. This episode was recorded on May 29, 2025.

In this episode, Frank McKenna , Deputy Chair at TD Securities and former Canadian ambassador to the US, shares his insights on the outcome of the Canadian federal election, what it means for Prime Minister Carney, and potential implications for financial markets. He explores how external factors shaped Canadians' demand for decisive leadership and how Prime Minister Carney can govern assertively with a strong minority government. Frank also discusses the fiscal challenges facing the new government and potential economic implications moving forward. This episode was recorded on April 29, 2025.

In this episode, Donald Schneider , Deputy Head of US Policy at Piper Sandler and former Economic Staffer to Speaker Paul Ryan, provides a comprehensive overview of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He explains what DOGE is, its impact on the economy and markets, and what to expect going forward. Donald discusses DOGE's unconventional methods of achieving savings through executive actions, highlighting its progress in reducing administrative headcount and federal contracts. Additionally, Donald touches on the upcoming extension of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, with the focus on making tax cuts permanent and introducing new pro-growth measures. This episode was recorded on March 18, 2025.

In this episode, Ali Jaffery , Executive Director and Senior Economist at CIBC Capital Markets, provides and in-depth analysis of the key macroeconomic themes affecting the Canadian economy. Ali explains why Canadian consumers remain cautious, highlighting the effects of mortgage rate resets and immigration policy changes on the housing market and broader economy. Ali also explores the potential economic impacts of the recently announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum and the implications of a trade war with the US. This episode was recorded on February 10, 2025.

In this episode, Marko Papic , Senior Vice President and Chief Strategist at BCA Research, explores the geopolitical and macroeconomic issues likely to impact the markets under the coming years. Marko explains his approach to geopolitics and why material constraints often outweigh policymakers’ preferences. Marko also discusses the implications of US fiscal policy, tariffs, and the geopolitical risks posed by China and Iran under the Trump administration.

The Fed’s existence is rooted in congressional legislation but are there enough legal guardrails to prevent encroachment by the executive branch? In this episode, Dr. Larry Hatheway , Founder of HarbourAdvisors, explores how the Republican Party’s consolidation of power may reshape how the Fed operates. Dr. Hatheway discusses the potential for increased government oversight, the possibility of the White House influencing monetary policy, and what this could mean for inflation and market volatility. This episode was recorded on November 22, 2024.