
Healthcare Under Fire: RFK Jr., Tariffs, and Market Volatility
04/17/25 • 48 min
When markets are in turmoil, investors traditionally flock to healthcare for stability — but what happens when healthcare itself is a flashpoint for volatility? In this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar Robert Moffat of Middlefield joins to unpack the biggest headwinds facing the sector right now.
From the controversial appointment of RFK Jr. to looming drug tariffs, Rob dives deep into the policy and market forces disrupting pharma, medtech, and healthcare services. He shares why he's staying defensive, what names he's avoiding (sorry, Pfizer holders), and where he's seeing opportunities amid the chaos.
In a volatile healthcare market, Rob explains why he’s particularly positive on GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes medications which he says are reshaping the future of healthcare. He tells us why Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro and Zepbound, is his top holding and why he prefers it over Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk. He also suggests other names he likes right now including Abbott Laboratories and McKesson, which he says is the ultimate defensive safe haven company in healthcare.
Timestamps
00:00 Show Intro
01:40 Rob’s approach to volatility in healthcare
03:10 RFK Jr. and his impact on the healthcare sector
06:50 The headwind from tariffs
13:00 Why Rob thinks M&A in the pharma space is definitely coming
14:50 ITM Mailbag: Rob’s outlook on Pfizer (PFE.NYSE)
18:35 Rob’s thoughts on UnitedHealth Group (UNH.NYSE)
22:00 Why Rob thinks CVS (CVS.NYSE) is one of the biggest ‘show me’ stories in healthcare
27:35 Rob’s thoughts on Medtronic (MDT.NYSE) and its dividend
30:35 Rob’s outlook on Stryker (SYK.NYSE)
33:15 Rob’s view of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ-NYSE) in light of tariffs
35:30 Rob’s Pro Picks
47:30 Goodbye & coming up
Sponsors
This episode is sponsored by BMO InvestorLine. Learn more at https://bmo.com/advancedtrading
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial. Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
DISCLAIMERS
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.
BMO DISCLAIMER
Terms and conditions apply. BMO InvestorLine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.
The opinions and views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and not necessarily BMO InvestorLine Inc. This presentation is prepared as a general source of information and is not intended to provide legal, investment, accounting or tax advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. If legal or investment advice or other professional assistance is needed, the services of a competent professional should be obtained. Any information contained in this presentation does not constitute and shall not be deemed to constitute advice, an offer to sell/purchase or as an invitation or solicitation to do so for any entity. The content of this presentation is based on sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. BMO InvestorLine Inc. and its affiliates, sponsors and employees do not accept responsibility for the content and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the content and hereby disclaims any liability with regards to the same.
In the Money delivers expert stock picks, market analysis, and timely investing insights. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers and financial ...
When markets are in turmoil, investors traditionally flock to healthcare for stability — but what happens when healthcare itself is a flashpoint for volatility? In this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar Robert Moffat of Middlefield joins to unpack the biggest headwinds facing the sector right now.
From the controversial appointment of RFK Jr. to looming drug tariffs, Rob dives deep into the policy and market forces disrupting pharma, medtech, and healthcare services. He shares why he's staying defensive, what names he's avoiding (sorry, Pfizer holders), and where he's seeing opportunities amid the chaos.
In a volatile healthcare market, Rob explains why he’s particularly positive on GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes medications which he says are reshaping the future of healthcare. He tells us why Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro and Zepbound, is his top holding and why he prefers it over Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk. He also suggests other names he likes right now including Abbott Laboratories and McKesson, which he says is the ultimate defensive safe haven company in healthcare.
Timestamps
00:00 Show Intro
01:40 Rob’s approach to volatility in healthcare
03:10 RFK Jr. and his impact on the healthcare sector
06:50 The headwind from tariffs
13:00 Why Rob thinks M&A in the pharma space is definitely coming
14:50 ITM Mailbag: Rob’s outlook on Pfizer (PFE.NYSE)
18:35 Rob’s thoughts on UnitedHealth Group (UNH.NYSE)
22:00 Why Rob thinks CVS (CVS.NYSE) is one of the biggest ‘show me’ stories in healthcare
27:35 Rob’s thoughts on Medtronic (MDT.NYSE) and its dividend
30:35 Rob’s outlook on Stryker (SYK.NYSE)
33:15 Rob’s view of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ-NYSE) in light of tariffs
35:30 Rob’s Pro Picks
47:30 Goodbye & coming up
Sponsors
This episode is sponsored by BMO InvestorLine. Learn more at https://bmo.com/advancedtrading
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial. Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
DISCLAIMERS
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.
BMO DISCLAIMER
Terms and conditions apply. BMO InvestorLine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.
The opinions and views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and not necessarily BMO InvestorLine Inc. This presentation is prepared as a general source of information and is not intended to provide legal, investment, accounting or tax advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. If legal or investment advice or other professional assistance is needed, the services of a competent professional should be obtained. Any information contained in this presentation does not constitute and shall not be deemed to constitute advice, an offer to sell/purchase or as an invitation or solicitation to do so for any entity. The content of this presentation is based on sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. BMO InvestorLine Inc. and its affiliates, sponsors and employees do not accept responsibility for the content and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the content and hereby disclaims any liability with regards to the same.
In the Money delivers expert stock picks, market analysis, and timely investing insights. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers and financial ...
Previous Episode

Why the Best Fund Manager of 2022 is Betting on Gold, Water, and Infrastructure
The market may be laser-focused on Donald Trump’s trade war but James Davolos of Horizon Kinetics says tariffs or not, the tide is turning — and savvy investors should be paying attention. In this wide-ranging conversation, Davolos breaks down why we're leaving behind the "golden era" of ultra-low interest rates, globalization, and free capital, and entering a new investing regime marked by inflation, deglobalization, and resource scarcity. Davolos, who the WSJ named the best fund manager of 2022, outlines how to position your portfolio for long-term resilience, with a focus on capital-light businesses tied to real assets — think infrastructure, energy, and gold — but without the usual baggage of cyclicality and capex-heavy models. He explains his unique approach and offers specific stocks that fit into his model, including his top 3 stock picks focused on water as real asset, exchanges as financial infrastructure and royalty companies as resource winners.
Timestamps
00:00 Show intro
02:30 James Davolos explains his unique approach to investing
08:00 Why does James think we're in the midst of a major regime shift
13:05 Why James isn’t even paying attention to tariffs
15:15 Why James likes real assets and how he finds the best ones
21:00 Why James believes the U.S. is headed towards stagflation and his view on rates
23:05 James’s view on gold
25:45 Are we seeing the end to U.S. exceptionalism in stocks?
28:00 ITM Mailbag: Will volatility be good for exchanges like the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE.NYSE)
33:10 Is Brookfield a stock that can help weather the current storm? (BN.TO, BN.NYSE)
40:00 James’s expectations for gold and why he likes royalty streaming companies
44:45 James’s thoughts on bitcoin and the best way to play it
51:00 What does James think about Enbridge (ENB.TO)
57:15 Why James likes Dream Unlimited (DRM.TO)
1:01:30 James’s Pro Picks
1:13:40 Goodbye & coming up
Sponsors
This episode is sponsored by BMO InvestorLine. Alright, In The Money listeners, you're constantly analyzing charts, spotting trends, and making calculated moves. That's where BMO InvestorLine comes in. Learn more at https:// bmo.com/advancedtrading?ecid=pr-2886232INV1-JNBMO17
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. They are Canada's largest independent financial services firm with over 520 dedicated advisors, $88 billion in assets under management, and capital markets services. Visit raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial. With $62 billion in assets, ATB Financial is powering possibilities for more than 820,000 financial services clients in Alberta and beyond. ATB's Capital Markets arm is a full-service investment dealer that offers investment and corporate banking, sales and trading, institutional research, and risk management. Visit ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://inthemoneypod.com/
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
DISCLAIMERS
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.
BMO DISCLAIMER
Terms and conditions apply. BMO InvestorLine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.
The opinions and views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and not necessarily BMO InvestorLine Inc. This presentation is prepared as a general source of information and is not intended to provide legal, investment, accounting or tax advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. If legal or investment advice or other professional assistance is needed, the services of a competent professional should be obtained. Any information contained in this presentation does not constitute and shall not be deemed to constitute advice, an offer to sell/purchase or as an invitation or solicitation to do so for any entity. The content of this presentation is ...
Next Episode

When to Hold Cash and When to Strike: Liz Miller’s Market Strategy
Markets are swinging wildly, but are investors overreacting? In this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar, seasoned portfolio manager Liz Miller of Summit Place Financial Advisors shares how she’s navigating market uncertainty—from surging tariffs and Fed drama to stock-specific opportunities.
Liz explains why corporate earnings are murky, why the Fed’s influence may be fading, and how tariff unpredictability and U.S. dollar volatility are forcing investors to rethink risk. She also unpacks why she’s favouring U.S.-centric companies and building cash, even while nipping at beaten-down names.
In the mailbag, Liz breaks down whether fully valued names like Netflix (NFLX), Google (GOOGL), and Costco (COST) are still worth buying—and why she’s more bullish on under-the-radar opportunities like Disney (DIS), BlackRock (BLK), and even Sweetgreen (SG). Plus, why she avoids gold miners and prefers gold ETFs for safer exposure.
Then, in her Pro Picks segment, Liz shares 3 stocks she’s adding in this turbulent environment: Evercore (EVR), GE Healthcare (GEHC) and Carlisle Companies (CSL)
Whether you’re managing retirement risk, debating tech valuations, or wondering how to play inflation and tariffs, this episode is packed with grounded, long-term investing insight.
Timestamps
00:00 Show intro
01:35 How Liz is approaching this volatile time in markets
03:20 How to dissect earnings this season when things are so uncertain
05:20 We need clarity on tariffs in order to be able to assess stocks
07:20 Why Liz just bought several positions during the recent down days, is holding cash and is reorienting towards domestic names
11:05 Trump, Jerome Powell and issues with the Fed’s credibility
15:20 ITM Mailbag: Would Liz buy Netflix (NFLX-Nasdaq) at these levels?
18:30 What is Liz’s view on Google (GOOG.Nasdaq) for the next 3 years?
23:30 Is Costco (COST.Nasdaq) a solid recession hedge?
27:45 Does Liz still like Sweetgreen here (SG.NYSE)?
31:40 Why Liz likes owning gold through ETFs
35:50 Liz’s take on Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B.NYSE) vs BlackRock (BLK.NYSE)
40:00 Liz’s Pro Picks
50:00 Goodbye & coming up
Sponsors
This episode is sponsored by BMO InvestorLine. Open a new BMO InvestorLine account, and you could receive up to $3,500 cash back. It’s a great way to jumpstart your investment plan. Learn more at bmo.com/onlineinvesting?ecid=pr-2886232INV1-JNBMO16
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial. With $62 billion in assets, ATB Financial is powering possibilities for more than 820,000 financial services clients in Alberta and beyond. Visit ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
Links
https://inthemoneypod.com/
https://instagram.com/inthemoneypod
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740
https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod
https://tiktok.com/@inthemoneypod
DISCLAIMERS
The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.
BMO DISCLAIMER
Terms and conditions apply. BMO InvestorLine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.
The opinions and views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and not necessarily BMO InvestorLine Inc. This presentation is prepared as a general source of information and is not intended to provide legal, investment, accounting or tax advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. If legal or investment advice or other professional assistance is needed, the services of a competent professional should be obtained. Any information contained in this presentation does not constitute and shall not be deemed to constitute advice, an offer to sell/purchase or as an invitation or solicitation to do so for any entity. The content of this presentation is based on sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be gua...
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