Top Heavy Markets, Fragile Portfolios: How to Break Free of the Mag-7 Trap with Ahmed Farooq

What do advisors do when markets feel like a giant game of Jenga—top-heavy, fragile, and unpredictable with every move? Ahmed Farooq, Senior VP and Head of ETF Distribution at Franklin Templeton Canada joins us to explore how smart ETF design, active fixed income, and global diversification are helping advisors rebuild sturdier portfolios for an increasingly uncertain world. 🎧 Summary: In this episode, host Pierre Daillie welcomes Ahmed Farooq, for a wide-ranging, insight-packed conversation on the evolution of ETF usage by Canadian advisors. From navigating tariff turmoil and Mag-7 concentration risk to building smarter income solutions and global diversification strategies, Ahmed shares a front-line perspective from the road across Canada. He explains how Franklin Templeton is responding to market demand with low-cost passive offerings, factor-based ETFs like their Low Volatility High Dividend suite, and precision-focused actively managed fixed income solutions that are reshaping how advisors approach portfolio construction. With advisors seeking both protection and income, Farooq explains why it's time to get comfortable with complexity—because simplicity in this market can be costly.