Show Notes
Once defined by low-cost index exposure, ETFs are increasingly used to deliver active strategies, structured outcomes and targeted portfolio solutions across global markets. In this episode, Bryan Johanson, Head of North American Client ETF Markets, and Valerie Grimba, Global ETF Strategist, examine how innovation, market structure and investor demand are redefining what ETFs can do – and what comes next.
More from Strategic Alternatives
Recorded at the Milken Institute’s Canada Dialogue, this episode explores Canada’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem. Host Joe Coletti introduces a conversation featuring Cohere co‑founder Aidan Gomez, Canada’s Minister of AI Evan Solomon, and RBC CEO Dave McKay. Together, they examine the challenges of AI regulation and safety, the competitive dynamics shaping frontier models, and Canada’s opportunity to build a sovereign, democratic alternative in a rapidly evolving global market. This episode was originally published on Disruptors, an RBC podcast, on September 16, 2026. For more information, visit Disruptors podcast. Key points: Canada’s foundational role in AI: Canada’s early investment in deep learning and its homegrown talent base underpin its leadership in frontier model development. Regulation and competition: Oversight is essential, but regulation must avoid entrenching incumbents or limiting innovation from emerging players. Sovereign access to frontier models: Unequal access to advanced AI tools creates cyber‑security risks and highlights the need for national capability outside the U.S. Acceleration of product development: AI is compressing development cycles from years to months, reshaping how companies build and deploy new products. Workforce transformation: AI will change jobs more than eliminate them, requiring flexibility, reskilling, and new social guardrails. A democratic “second rail”: As global buyers diversify away from single‑country dependence, Canada and France represent the leading democratic alternatives for frontier AI. Canada’s moment: With talent, capital, compute, and natural resources, Canada has the ingredients to build a global AI champion — but must act quickly.
Despite rate volatility and macro uncertainty, muni issuance is on pace for one of its strongest years in decades. Host Bob Spangler, Head of U.S. Municipal Finance, sits down with Keith Solomon, Head of Municipal Products, to break down the forces shaping today’s municipal market. They explore why demand remains resilient, which sectors are driving activity, and how issuers and investors are adapting to a rapidly evolving environment.
Software sentiment has shifted significantly as investors reassess the impact of AI across the sector. In this episode, Matt Hedberg and Rishi Jaluria discuss opportunities emerging across cybersecurity, data and infrastructure, the evolution of software business models, and where value may accrue across the software stack. They also explore cyber resilience and the economics of buy-versus-build decisions.
The UK is acknowledged as a renewables leader. Heavy transmission investment will help it enhance energy security alongside clean power. But when it comes to the third point of the energy trilemma, affordability, there’s a problem: the country’s electricity demand is just too low. Chris Stark, the UK government’s Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030, sets out its strategy in conversation at RBC Capital Markets’ Energy Transition Conference. What is the Clean Power 2030 mission? [00:51]
Consumer staples companies face mounting pressure from changing consumer behavior, a widening K-shaped economy and the growing influence of digital platforms. Nik Modi discusses the key themes from The Great Recalibration: Consumer Staples Edition and the actions boards and management teams should consider for the future. Key Points Long-standing valuation pressure and a more volatile operating environment are forcing consumer staples companies to rethink traditional approaches to growth and value creation. Income bifurcation is reshaping demand patterns, with growth increasingly concentrated at the high and low ends of the market. Simplifying choice and aligning products with consumer occasions could help brands address rising decision fatigue. Digital platforms are becoming powerful demand-creation ecosystems where cultural relevance can be as important as brand scale. Companies should focus on capabilities, resilience and organizational structures that help them compete effectively in a different future landscape.