E186 – What the Workplace Evolution Means for REITs

Office vacancy rates continue to rise, as hybrid and work-from-home trends take hold. In today’s episode, portfolio managers Matt Montemurro, Alfred Lee, and your host, Mckenzie Box, examine what this means for REITs and whether it will get worse before it gets better. They also discuss diversification strategies, trends in gold and ways to enhance after-tax returns. Read the episode summary. Mckenzie Box is Director of Product and Strategy at BMO Global Asset Management. She is joined on the podcast by Matt Montemurro and Alfred Lee, Portfolio Managers and ETF Specialists at BMO Global Asset Management. The episode was recorded live on Thursday, July 27, 2023. ETFs mentioned in the podcast: BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF (Ticker: ZRE) BMO Ultra Short-Term US Bond ETF (USD Units) (Ticker: ZUS.U) BMO Short-Term US IG Corporate Bond Hedged to CAD Index ETF (Ticker: ZSU) BMO Equal Weight Global Gold Index ETF (Ticker: ZGD) BMO Discount Bond Index ETF (Ticker: ZDB) BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (Ticker: ZAG) BMO Short-Term Discount Bond ETF (Ticker: ZSDB) BMO Corporate Discount Bond ETF (Ticker: ZCDB) Disclosure: The viewpoints expressed by the Portfolio Manager represent their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance. Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent simplified prospectus.  Commissions, management fees and expenses (if applicable) all may be associated with investments in BMO ETFs and ETF Series of the BMO Mutual Funds. Please read the ETF facts or prospectus of the relevant BMO ETF or ETF Series before investing. BMO ETFs and ETF Series are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. For a summary of the risks of an investment in the BMO ETFs or ETF Series of the BMO Mutual Funds, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus. BMO ETFs and ETF Series trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.   BMO ETFs are managed by BMO Asset Management Inc., which is an investment fund manager and a portfolio manager, and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal. ETF Series of the BMO Mutual Funds are managed by BMO Investments Inc., which is an investment fund manager and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal. BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name under which BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. operate. ®/™Registered trademarks/trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.