BMO GAM’s Burdett ‘agnostic’ on active vs passive battle

When it comes to the active versus passive argument, co-head of multi-manager at BMO Global Asset Management Rob Burdett remains steadfastly “agnostic.”

BMO GAM’s Burdett ‘agnostic’ on active vs passive battle

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Around 25% of the multi-manager team’s investments are now classed as passive rather than active, he said during a briefing on Wednesday.

Burdett said: “We are one of the few places you can talk to and get an agnostic view on active over passive. We are looking to grow passives this year.

“We’re a little bit overweight in emerging markets and may add to it, it’s good for five year returns.”

Having recently added emerging markets to its suite of income ETFs, the team will continue to favour EM this year he said.

The holding of passive funds as well as buy-lists is an area Burdett’s team will continue to look at as the so-called ‘tracker boom’ looks set to continue, he noted.

Looking at risks for the markets in 2017, Burdett’s co-head Gary Potter said the way the market reacts to inflation will be a significant issue this year.

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