Douglas Porter

Chief Economist and Managing Director Economics

Douglas Porter has over 30 years of experience analyzing global economies and financial markets. As Chief Economist at BMO Financial Group and author of the popular Talking Points, he oversees the macroeconomic and financial market forecasts and co-writes the firm’s weekly flagship publication, Focus. Mr. Porter manages the team that has won numerous forecasting awards. Most recently, Douglas led the team to a #1 ranking for Top U.S. Forecaster among 60 global firms in the 2023 Focus Economics Survey, and #1 for Top Canadian Inflation Forecaster among 28 firms. Also, his team took the #1 spot in the StarMine Awards for Most Accurate Forecasters for Canada in 2022.

As a respected commentator on economic and financial trends, he is regularly quoted in the national press and often interviewed on radio and television.

Focus

Focus is the flagship publication of the BMO Economics team. This weekly publication covers major economic developments, provides updated forecasts, looks ahead to the key events of the upcoming week, and provides detailed insights into key economic issues.
Focus

Global Markets Commentary

Our experts provide an overview of recent global events and their impact on the markets.
Global Markets Commentary

Weekly Strategy Perspectives: Private Credit – Brewing Crisis or Tempest in a Teapot?

Private credit has had a rough go of it lately after an extended period of heady growth and robust investor enthusiasm....

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Empowering the next generation

For many families, getting kids to pitch in around the house – or convincing grandkids to look up from their phones – can feel like an uphill battle....

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Why financial planning is self-care

When you think of self-care, financial planning may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it can be a vital part of your overall well-being. Like other self-care rituals, it’s easily neglected. ...

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Weekly Strategy Perspectives: After the (Epic) Storm

When the U.S. and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran last Saturday, traders initially showed remarkable restraint. That changed as the week wore on, however, and hostilities intensified rather than resolved....

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Special Market Update: Iran Update

Capital markets have a long history of looking past geopolitical events. An initial (and often sharp) risk-off reaction is typically followed by recovery as investors return to focusing on fundamentals....

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Weekly Strategy Perspectives: What Could Go Right? Reunderwriting the Bull Case

Markets started the week on a shaky note with tariffs and a potential AI/jobs apocalypse dominating the story line....

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Weekly Strategy Perspectives: Still Nauseously Optimistic

The last 12 months have sprayed a firehose of change at investors, consumers and businesses alike....

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Smart strategies for supporting a child with special needs

What happens when someone you love requires constant, lifelong support, long after you’re able to provide it?...

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Weekly Strategy Perspectives: And the Story Line is…

We’re barely two-thirds of the way into Q4 2025 earnings report season, yet a bevy of market-moving revelations have already surfaced. Traders acted quickly to adjust individual stock/sector prices for potentially revised realities, prompting more......

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The smart investor’s guide to reducing taxes and growing wealth

A smart tax plan doesn’t just maximize your registered accounts, it structures your finances in a way that optimizes every dollar you earn on the road to retirement – and beyond....

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