Media Advisory - BMO Financial Group's Market Strategists Unveil Their<br>Predictions for 2010

TORONTO and CHICAGO, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - BMO Financial Group's economists, market and commodity strategists in Canada and the United States give their predictions for 2010.

    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1)  Douglas Porter, Deputy Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets
        -  We look for both Canada and the U.S. to post GDP growth of roughly
           2.5 per cent in 2010, essentially reversing similar declines in
           the prior year.
        -  The era of zero interest rates will come to an end just after mid-
           year in Canada and not soon afterwards in the U.S. However,
           borrowing costs will remain exceptionally low by historical
           standards, as major central banks will wait until it is absolutely
           certain that recovery has taken root before hiking aggressively.
        -  The Canadian dollar is likely to strengthen further and could
           average close to parity in 2010, bolstered by Canada's relatively
           favourable fundamentals, underlying uncertainty on the U.S.
           dollar, and firming commodity prices.
        -  The housing market will continue to thrive in Canada, while the
           U.S. market will see the first inklings of recovery. The spring
           selling season could be exceptionally hot in Canada ahead of the
           new HST in B.C. and Ontario, and in anticipation of interest rate
           increases later in the year.
        -  Despite the unfolding recovery, the scars from the deep global
           recession will linger in many areas, including a still-high
           jobless rate (averaging 10 per cent in the U.S. and 8.5 per cent
           in Canada next year), still-wide budget deficits almost
           everywhere, and a lack of pricing power for businesses. The good
           news is that despite widespread concerns on this front, inflation
           is expected to remain quite subdued, averaging 1.5 per cent in
           Canada and about 2 per cent in the U.S. in 2010.

    2)  Paul Taylor, Chief Investment Officer, BMO Harris Private Banking
        -  After the roller-coaster years of 2008 and 2009, where our
           financial system teetered on the edge of ruin and equity markets
           imploded, the "story" of 2010 may well be that volatility and
           systemic risk fade while the economy and capital markets churn out
           modest, steady progress.
        -  Global economic growth is likely to return to a rate of around 3
           per cent, driven by strong growth rates of 8 to 10 per cent in
           China and India and held back by weak growth in Core Europe of no
           more than 1.5 per cent and moderate growth of 2.5 per cent in
           North America.
        -  Equity returns will likely moderate versus the heady pace of 2009,
           but will most likely easily out-pace the alternative returns
           available from cash and bonds.
        -  The S&P/TSX is likely to trade in line with the expected growth
           rate of earnings rather than on the back of an expansion in the
           earnings multiple; after a drawdown from the low $900 level in
           2008 to about $630 in calendar 2009, the S&P/TSX EPS should expand
           to approximately $720 - $750 in 2010.
        -  Stocks in the BMO Harris portfolios that are likely to be big
           movers in 2010 are: Potash, RIM, Sino Forest, Dragonwave, Petro
           Rubiales, Biox, Enablence Technologies and Mercator Minerals.

    3)  Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer, Harris Private Bank
        -  The massive government stimulus has pulled the global economy off
           the mat.
        -  Unemployment in the U.S. may have peaked at 10.2 per cent,
           starting the countdown to monetary tightening.
        -  Equity valuation is full; however the market can continue to
           advance on technicals. History suggests that the market could
           advance another 15 per cent from here on favourable momentum.
        -  The U.S. dollar is undervalued against the Yen and Euro and has
           the potential to advance in the first half of the year.
        -  Emerging market equities are expensive relative to the U.S. and
           could underperform.
        -  International Small Caps are relatively cheap and have valuation
           cushion as the rally slows.
        -  High yield bonds should continue to enjoy improving fundamentals.
        -  Our favourite sectors are: Materials, Discretionary, Finance and
           Technology.

    4)  Andrew Busch, Global Currency and Public Policy Strategist, BMO
        Capital Markets
        -  The Federal Reserve will begin to raise interest rates in the
           second half of the year. But the question is: by how much?
           Currently, the 12 month overnight index swaps (OIS) are showing
           almost no chance of the Federal Reserve raising rates for the next
           year, but I think growth returns are enough to make the Fed raise
           rates 25 basis points three times by the end of the year.
        -  We will see more Congressmen and Congresswomen elected in the 2010
           midterm elections that want more control over Federal Reserve
           policy decisions.
        -  There is a growing possibility of the White House and Congress
           imposing a value-added tax or national sales tax to presumably
           reduce the deficit. It will be precisely the wrong thing at the
           wrong time for the US economy as it heads into 2011.

    5)  Bart Melek, Global Commodity Strategist, BMO Capital Markets
        -  Rising global economic tides are on track to buoy most industrial
           commodity markets in 2010. Recovery in the Western world and a
           strengthening China are likely to propel demand growth for
           commodities ranging from copper to iron ore to energy into
           positive territory.
        -  After reaching new highs and a relatively modest correction
           recently, gold is expected to remain firm well into 2010, as
           investors continue to show considerable interest in the metal in
           order to protect against US dollar weakness and rising inflation
           risk.
        -  BMO Research considers copper and iron ore to be the preferred
           industrial commodities and oil and US thermal coal the preferred
           energy commodities.
        -  The combination of rising exports from China and restocking in the
           Western world will likely materially tighten the commodity market,
           providing support for prices broadly in 2010.
        -  The Federal Reserve keeps rates near record lows for most of 2010;
           given less-than-robust credit creation in the U.S. and a very
           fragile consumer, low rates are required to assure that the U.S.
           economy does not fall back into contraction.
    

The information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein are provided as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. Some of the information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein have been obtained from numerous sources and Bank of Montreal ("BMO") and its affiliates make every effort to ensure that the contents thereof have been compiled or derived from sources believed to be reliable and to contain information and opinions which are accurate and complete. However, neither BMO nor its affiliates have independently verified or make any representation or warranty, express or implied, in respect thereof, take no responsibility for any errors and omissions which may be contained herein or accept any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from any use of or reliance on the information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein whether relied upon by the recipient or user or any other third party (including, without limitation, any customer of the recipient or user). Information may be available to BMO and/or its affiliates that is not reflected herein. The information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein are not to be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation for or an offer to buy, any products or services referenced herein (including, without limitation, any commodities, securities or other financial instruments), nor shall such information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials be considered as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into any transaction. Additional information is available by contacting BMO or its relevant affiliate directly. BMO and/or its affiliates may make a market or deal as principal in the products (including, without limitation, any commodities, securities or other financial instruments) referenced herein. BMO, its affiliates, and/or their respective shareholders, directors, officers and/or employees may from time to time have long or short positions in any such products (including, without limitation, commodities, securities or other financial instruments). BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and/or BMO Capital Markets Corp., subsidiaries of BMO, may act as financial advisor and/or underwriter for certain of the corporations mentioned herein and may receive remuneration for same. "BMO Capital Markets" is a trade name used by the Bank of Montreal Investment Banking Group, which includes the wholesale/institutional arms of Bank of Montreal, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Ltée/Ltd., BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Harris N.A., and BMO Capital Markets Limited.

For further information: [phone]