NEI Investment Team discuss the markets, their sentiments on today’s economic landscape, and factors that may drive investment opportunities in the second half of 2025.
Summary:
On July 24, NEI Investments' Chief Investment Officer, John Bai, and Vice President of Asset Allocation, Judith Chan, hosted a webcast attended by over 600 advisors. The discussion focused on the dynamic market conditions of 2025, characterized by sticky inflation, shifting central bank signals, and fluctuating client sentiment. Despite the volatility, NEI's investment team remains focused on navigating uncertainty and uncovering opportunities.
John and Judith provided a comprehensive review of the market performance this year, key asset classes, interest rate trends, and economic indicators. Key themes of their discussion included the impact of geopolitical uncertainty, the importance of staying invested, and the potential for positive short-term market momentum despite long-term headwinds. The session also highlighted the resilience of corporate earnings, the attractiveness of international equities, and the strategic use of dividend stocks and alternatives in portfolio construction.
“In times like this, we know your clients are looking to you for clarity and our goal is to help equip you with insight and resources you need to keep leaving with confidence.”
- John Bai, Chief Investment Officer, NEI
Speakers
- John Bai, CFA, SVP & Chief Investment Officer, Aviso Wealth and NEI Investments
- Judith Chan, CFA, VP and Head of Multi-Asset Portfolios, NEI Investments
Key Takeaways
- Market Volatility 2025:The first half of 2025 has been marked by significant market volatility, driven by geopolitical uncertainty, sticky inflation, and shifting central bank signals.
- Resilient Corporate Earnings:Despite the volatility, corporate earnings have remained resilient, with strong earnings in Q1 and a strong start to Q2.
- NEI Portfolio Performance:NEI portfolios have performed well overall, with fixed income strategies outperforming in Q1 and equity strategies facing challenges in Q2 due to concentrated returns in mega-cap growth stocks.
- A Balanced Portfolio :Looking ahead, NEI investment team is maintaining a balanced portfolio with neutral stances on equities, fixed income, and cash, while favoring short-duration government bonds and diversifying into international equities.
- Navigating Geopolitical Changes:The ongoing geopolitical and economic changes, including the impact of tariffs and the "one big beautiful bill," require advisors to stay nimble and communicate effectively with clients to navigate the uncertainty and capitalize on opportunities.
Want to read more about NEI’s outlook for 2025?
Check out John’s latest feature with Advisor.ca where he shares Where is the opportunity in markets dominated by uncertainty? | Advisor.ca
Webinar
Watch Full Webinar here.
