Group 1 - BMO Financial Group will host an all-bank Investor Day in Toronto on March 26, 2026, featuring presentations from CEO Darryl White and senior executives [1] - The event will include a live webcast and presentation slides available on the day of the event [1] - Registration details, agenda, and speaker information will be provided on the Investor Relations website at a later date [1] Group 2 - BMO Financial Group is the seventh largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of October 31, 2025 [2] - The bank serves approximately 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and select global markets [2] - BMO is committed to driving positive change and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities [2]

'Somewhere to put worker bees': Why Canada's micro-condos are losing their appeal2 hours agoNadine YousifSenior Canada reporterWatch: BBC reporter reacts to shockingly small $350K condo in TorontoMaggie Hildebrand's first apartment in Toronto had a kitchen, a dining table, a workspace and a bed – all in the same 300-square-foot room.It was a decent home at first, close enough to her job downtown and with all the bare necessities for daily living.But it didn't take long for the 28-year-old to feel boxed-in. ...

Market Performance - Canadian equities are closing out their second-best year this century, with the S&P/TSX index on track for a 29% advance, trailing only 2009's 31% gain [1][3] - The index has achieved a record 63 new all-time highs over the year, driven by a steady increase in the final seven months [3] Sector Contributions - The rally has been significantly supported by the materials sector, which doubled due to increases in gold, silver, copper, and palladium prices, while the financials group jumped 40% [4] - Tech companies like Shopify Inc. and Celestica Inc. contributed a combined 11% increase to the index during the year [4] Economic Factors - The Canadian economy has benefited from lower interest rates, with three Federal Reserve rate cuts positively impacting precious metals, which do not pay interest [5] - Canada's Big Six banks reported stronger-than-expected profits, with annual adjusted earnings exceeding Bloomberg consensus expectations by an average of 2 percentage points [7] Valuation Concerns - There are concerns regarding elevated bank valuations as the Canadian economy may face strains from higher tariffs, with the banking subindex's price-to-earnings ratio reaching nearly 15, up from a low of 9.7 in 2022 [9] - The performance of the banking sector may be more sensitive to economic conditions compared to sectors like gold and energy, which are less affected by the Canadian economy [9] Oil Market Outlook - Despite the Canadian index's record performance, the outlook for crude oil prices remains muted, with demand struggling to keep up with supply [10] - The market could be vulnerable to fluctuations in precious metals, as evidenced by silver's recent decline, although it is still on track for a record gain [11] Investment Opportunities - Strategists suggest that if oil prices improve, the S&P/TSX Composite could be an attractive option for foreign investors looking to leverage energy plays [12] - There is a growing recognition of the TSX as a viable investment opportunity for foreign investors seeking alternatives outside the US market [12]

Company Overview - Bank of Montreal (BMO) is based in Toronto and operates in the Finance sector, with shares experiencing a price change of 34.92% this year [3] Dividend Information - BMO currently pays a dividend of $1.17 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.58%, which is higher than the Banks - Foreign industry's yield of 2.65% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.4% [3] - The company's annualized dividend of $4.68 has increased by 2.2% from the previous year, with an average annual increase of 8.50% over the last 5 years [4] - BMO's current payout ratio is 54%, indicating that it pays out 54% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $9.74 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 12.21% from the previous year [5] Investment Appeal - BMO is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6]

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Core Viewpoint - Global dividend stocks are gaining attention as global dividends reached a record $1.75 trillion in 2024, reflecting a 6.6% underlying growth, with 17 out of 49 tracked countries paying record dividends [2][3]. Global Dividend Market - The growth in global dividends is broad-based, with significant contributions from countries like the US, Canada, France, Japan, and China [3]. - Approximately 88% of firms worldwide either increased or maintained their dividend payouts during the year, indicating strong consistency for long-term investors [3]. UK Dividend Market - The UK has seen a slower recovery in dividend growth, with expectations for 2026 to deliver a record £86 billion in FTSE 100 dividends, up from £80.7 billion forecasted for 2025 [4]. - The FTSE 100 is projected to offer a forward dividend yield of about 3.2% in 2025 and 3.4% in 2026, which remains above the S&P 500's dividend yield [5]. Pembina Pipeline Corporation - Pembina Pipeline Corporation has a dividend yield of 5.47% and reported adjusted EBITDA of $1.03 billion in Q3 2025, showing a modest year-over-year increase [10][12]. - The company’s adjusted cash flow from operating activities reached $648 million in the quarter, covering dividend payments effectively [13]. - Pembina operates one of the largest energy transportation and midstream networks in Canada, moving crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids [14]. NatWest Group plc - NatWest Group plc has a dividend yield of 3.67% and reported a profit before tax of £2.18 billion in Q3 2025, a 30.4% year-over-year increase [15][17]. - The bank's non-interest income climbed 25.9% to £0.91 billion, while net interest income grew 12.7% to £3.09 billion, indicating a shift towards fee-based businesses [18]. - NatWest has implemented structural hedges to protect lending margins, extending its position into 2027, which may lead to industry-leading margins [19]. Bank of Montreal - Bank of Montreal has a dividend yield of 3.66% and reported a significant increase in profit driven by a rebound in dealmaking and stronger equity markets [21][22]. - The capital markets unit's profit more than doubled to C$521 million, supported by higher revenue from global market activity [23]. - Provision for credit losses fell to C$755 million from C$1.52 billion the previous year, indicating improved confidence in credit quality [24].

Group 1 - The article provides an analysis of Crude Oil WTI Futures, highlighting market trends and price movements [1] - Recent fluctuations in crude oil prices are attributed to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions [1] - The report indicates a significant increase in demand for crude oil, with projections suggesting a rise of 5% in the coming quarter [1] Group 2 - The analysis notes that WTI futures have experienced volatility, with prices reaching a peak of $85 per barrel recently [1] - The impact of OPEC+ production decisions on market dynamics is discussed, emphasizing their role in stabilizing prices [1] - The article suggests that investors should closely monitor inventory levels and economic indicators that could influence future price trends [1]

Core Points - BMO Investments Inc. announced a special cash distribution for unitholders of the Active ETF Series units of the BMO Global Health Care Fund, with a distribution amount of $1.15811 per unit [1][2] - The cash distribution will be paid on December 30, 2025, to investors who held units at the close of business on October 1, 2025 [1] - The tax characteristics of this distribution will be reported in 2026 [1] Company Overview - BMO Financial Group is the seventh largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of October 31, 2025 [7] - The company serves approximately 13 million clients across Canada, the United States, and select global markets, providing a wide range of banking and financial services [7] - BMO is committed to driving positive change and making progress towards a sustainable future and stronger communities [7]

Each week, we summarize notable moves across the financial industry.Michelle Connolly has joined Q Wealth Partners as head of advanced wealth planning, leaving Raymond James Ltd. after one year in a similar role leading financial planning and insurance solutions. Connolly has deep tax and estate planning, wealth management and financial planning experience in the industry, and previously held senior level roles with Wellington-Altus, Sun Life Financial and CI Investments.Steve Reimer has joined Raymond Jame ...

TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2025 /CNW/ - BMO Asset Management Inc., as manager of the BMO ETFs, and BMO Investments Inc., as manager of the BMO Mutual Funds, today announced the 2025 annual reinvested distributions for unitholders of BMO ETFs and unitholders of ETF Series units of the BMO Mutual Funds (ETF Series)1 that distribute monthly, quarterly and annually, as set out in the tables below. These annual reinvested distributions generally represent realized capital gains and special income within the BMO ETFs and ...