The 10-Minute Take

The global group of oil producing countries, known as OPEC+, left its key weekend meeting fractured. While OPEC+ agreed to extend production cuts through to July, its de facto leader Saudi Arabia said it would not. Neither would fellow Gulf states, and Mexico. Add to this an improving (but fragile) demand picture and it could explain why oil prices have been whipsawing since. How will this play out for the oil majors? And where was President Trump this time around? Helima Croft, RBC Capital Markets' Global Head of Commodity Strategy, shares her take on the latest OPEC+ deal.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

As the PGA Tour starts up again this week, noticeable changes will include tightened safety measures and the absence of on-site fans – par for the course during a pandemic. Some leagues, like Germany's Bundesliga, have experimented with canned cheers and cut-outs in the stands. But can live sports succeed without live fans? And what does that mean for branding and revenue? Mary DePaoli, RBC EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, shares how the business of sports is adapting to crisis.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

Summer is around the corner, but the forecast for the tourism sector is less-than-sunny. With border and travel restrictions still in place (even between provinces), families wishing to travel have fewer options than before. Maybe take a road trip around your province. Maybe rent out an Airbnb for a month. Whatever Canadians choose, it will be a boon to Canadian tourism, which has historically depended more on domestic than foreign visitors. But will summer road trips be enough to save the sector? Nathan Janzen, RBC Senior Economist, shares his outlook on tourism.

Read the RBC Economics report, For Canadian Tourism, Canadians Matter Most: https://bit.ly/3eQbdhq

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

In a bygone era, the Sharing Economy had spelled out the death of the personal car – why have your own vehicle when you could just hail an Uber or Lyft? But the auto sector might see some green lights ahead, as people shift from shared transportation towards their own cars. How is COVID changing how (and whether) we drive? And does it put the brakes on trends such as autonomous vehicle technology? Joe Spak, RBC Capital Markets' U.S. Auto Sector Analyst, shares his take on the future of cars.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

2020 was supposed to be a record year for newcomers to Canada – what the country needed to offset an aging population. But then COVID happened. The lockdown, of course, didn't only restrict the movement of people – it dealt a serious blow to Canada's labour market with knock-on effects to other parts of the economy. How are sectors that depend on immigrants, such as agriculture and healthcare, faring? What are the broader consequences if newcomers stop coming? Dawn Desjardins, RBC's Deputy Chief Economist, shares how the drop in immigration levels is impacting our economy.

Read the RBC Economics report, COVID-19 Derails Canadian Immigration: https://bit.ly/376AMYX

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

Before the pandemic, the challenges plaguing U.S. healthcare seemed insurmountable. Think onerous regulations, outdated processes, and high prices. But the dark clouds of the crisis are bringing silver linings - less red tape, virtual access to doctors, and long-awaited innovation. How are healthcare providers adapting? And what role will Big Tech play? Kennen MacKay, RBC Capital Markets' Co-Head of Biotechnology Research, shares how changes in the U.S. healthcare sector are here to stay.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

The start of the COVID crisis might forever be associated with a toilet paper shortage as people went into survival mode and stocked up on staples. Or, in the language of Maslow's Hierarchy, people were just trying to meet their basic physiological and safety needs. But as we move up the pyramid and beyond the crisis, where (and how) we spend our money will be different from before. How will retailers adapt? And what are people buying to reach self-actualization? Irene Nattel, RBC Capital Markets' Consumer Discretionary & Staples Analyst, shares how the crisis is changing consumer trends.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

The loonie has defied expectations during the recent rout in oil markets, hitching its wagon to another driver. Move over crude, hello equities. But the road ahead still has bumps, with implications for USD/CAD foreign exchange. How will extended travel restrictions affect cross-border investments? And what could snowbird investors expect from the U.S. Fed? George Davis, Chief Technical Strategist in Foreign Exchange Trading at RBC Capital Markets, joins us with the outlook on the Canadian dollar.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

Gold prices have surged during the COVID crisis, driven by low rates and aggressive policy measures to stimulate the economy and investors looking to hedge risks in the market – which explains why gold is staying high even as equities rally. Will the bulls of bullion continue to prevail? And what impact might the eventual recovery have? Chris Louney, RBC Capital Markets' Commodity Strategist, joins us with the outlook on gold.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.

The COVID-19 crisis has hit Québec especially hard. The province is dealing with the highest number of cases in the country in parallel with one of the worst economic impacts. In fact, more jobs were lost over March and April than the past three recessions put together. But the government is forging ahead with re-opening plans – giving the economy a much needed shot in the arm to start its gradual recovery. RBC Senior Economist Robert Hogue joins us with the outlook for Quebec.

For more insights about social, economic and technological trends, visit rbc.com/thoughtleadership.