Senior Portfolio Manager Maili Wong, CFA, CFP, FEA featured live on BNN Bloomberg Television on July 16.
Maili joined BNN Bloomberg television to discuss what investors should be watching as we move into the second half of 2026, including interest rates, earnings season, artificial intelligence (AI), and the outlook for Canada and the U.S. economy.
Key highlights from the discussion:
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- Earnings season is off to a strong start. Results from JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Taiwan Semiconductor have exceeded expectations, pointing to resilient businesses and continued demand for AI infrastructure.
- The AI investment boom continues, but investors want results. Companies are still committing billions to AI, and the focus is shifting to real returns. Semiconductor leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor remain central to the long-term growth story.
- Interest rates remain a key focus. U.S. inflation came in slightly below expectations, and the Bank of Canada held rates for a sixth consecutive time at 2.25%. The widening gap between Canadian and U.S. rates continues to influence currencies and purchasing power.
- Volatility can create opportunity. With expectations elevated in tech, short-term swings are likely through earnings season. Periods of weakness often give long-term investors a chance to add high-quality companies at more attractive valuations.
Bottom Line: Maili remains constructive on the second half of 2026. Strong earnings, ongoing AI investment, moderating inflation, and resilient economic data continue to support markets.
You can watch the full interview here
