Bridging the Gap Between
Classroom and Capital Markets
Institutional-Quality Research
Our reports are modelled after publications produced by sell-side research desks and macro hedge funds — structured, data-driven, and cross-asset in scope.
Professional Mentorship
Analysts work under the direct guidance of Nadeem Kassam, CFA, MBA — a seasoned investment professional who brings real-world frameworks to the student research process.
Career-Defining Experience
GMSG analysts graduate with a published research portfolio, a deep understanding of global macro dynamics, and practical skills that set them apart in recruiting for finance roles.
Building the next generation of multi-asset research analysts, strategists and portfolio managers
The GMSG was founded on a simple belief: that York University students are capable of producing high-quality, institutional-calibre research — when given the right mentorship, structure, and opportunity.
Each month, our analysts synthesize data across six coverage groups to deliver a cohesive macro outlook that is read by peers, faculty, and finance professionals.
What is the GMSG?
The Global Macro Strategy Group (GMSG) is a sister initiative of the Finance Student Association at York University. Under the mentorship of Nadeem Kassam, CFA, MBA, our analysts collaborate each month to produce an institutional-style global macro research publication.
Our inaugural report, "Rotation & Resilience, While Risks Emerge – February 2026," examined U.S. trade policy disruptions, geopolitical tensions, central bank divergence, and cross-asset themes — covering equities, fixed income, commodities, FX, and alternative investments.
The initiative bridges the gap between classroom finance education and the real tools, workflows, and analytical frameworks used by professionals at banks, asset managers, and hedge funds. We are committed to growing this series every month and expanding our analyst cohort.
Bloomberg Terminal Data Analysis
Hands-on experience with professional-grade financial data infrastructure.
Capital IQ & PitchBook Research
Sourcing institutional data sets and primary research used by investment professionals.
Financial Modeling & Excel
Quantitative skills to model markets, valuations, and cross-asset scenario analysis.
Macro & Cross-Asset Analysis
Developing a global macro lens across monetary policy, geopolitics, and capital flows.
Institutional-Style Report Writing
Crafting research publications at the standard of sell-side and buy-side investment reports.
What We Stand For
Rigour
We hold our research to the same standards expected in professional investment environments.
Collaboration
Every report is the result of six analyst teams working together toward a single unified macro view.
Growth
We push analysts beyond their comfort zones — developing skills that translate directly to internship and full-time roles.
Independence
Our views are our own. GMSG research is independent and not affiliated with any financial institution.
Six Coverage Groups. One Report.
Each monthly edition covers the key macro forces shaping global markets, with dedicated sections authored by specialist analyst teams.
Economics
Global growth, inflation dynamics, central bank policy divergence, labor market trends, and geopolitical macro shocks.
Equities
Regional leadership maps, sector rotation, style factor performance, volatility regime analysis, and cross-market breadth.
Fixed Income
Treasury yield curve dynamics, credit spread dispersion, sovereign bond performance, IG/HY credit, and securitized markets.
Commodities
Energy, precious metals, industrial metals, and agricultural markets — with DXY linkages and geopolitical risk premiums.
FX Markets
Major currency pair performance, central bank rate expectations, dollar index dynamics, and global FX positioning outlook.
Alternatives
Private equity, venture capital, private credit, real estate, and hedge fund performance — with liquidity and valuation analysis.
How We Approach Each Coverage Group
Top-Down Macro Framework
Each section begins with the dominant macro regime — growth, inflation, monetary policy — before filtering down to asset-specific implications. This ensures our views are internally consistent across the report.
Data-Driven Analysis
Analysts draw on Bloomberg, FRED, central bank publications, and primary data sources to support their views — prioritizing evidence over narrative.
Cross-Asset Synthesis
The Research Coordinator integrates all six sections into a cohesive macro outlook, identifying inter-market linkages and ensuring the report reads as one unified thesis — not six separate pieces.
Monthly Publication Cycle
Reports are published on a monthly basis, providing readers with a regular cadence of macro commentary that tracks evolving market conditions through the academic year.
Monthly Strategy Reports
Geopolitics Fuels Oil Surge, Markets Tremble
Our March institutional macro report examines the escalating geopolitical tensions driving a sharp rally in crude oil, and the cascading effects rippling through global equity markets, credit spreads, and currency pairs. The report covers central bank responses to renewed inflationary pressures, commodity market dislocations, flight-to-safety dynamics in fixed income, and the positioning implications across asset classes as risk sentiment deteriorates.
Rotation & Resilience, While Risks Emerge
Our inaugural macro report examines U.S. trade policy disruptions, central bank divergence, equity market rotation, and private market stress stemming from AI disruption fears.
How the Program Works
The GMSG Analyst Program is a competitive, 8-month commitment that gives York finance students real exposure to institutional research workflows. Spanning the full academic year, analysts are selected through an application and interview process and contribute to monthly macro publications from start to finish.
Open Application
Applications open each semester for students interested in macro research, capital markets, and financial analysis. All York University undergraduate students are eligible to apply.
Interview Process
Shortlisted candidates complete a brief interview to assess analytical aptitude, financial knowledge, and commitment. We look for curiosity and dedication — not perfection.
Coverage Group Assignment
Selected analysts are paired into teams and assigned one of six coverage areas: Economics, Equities, Fixed Income, Commodities, FX, or Alternatives.
Monthly Research Cycle
Each month, analyst teams research their sector using Bloomberg, Capital IQ, and PitchBook — producing their section of the institutional-style monthly report.
Publication & Recognition
Completed reports are published on our website. Analysts are credited by name, building a professional research portfolio that complements their academic record.
Skills You'll Build
- Financial Research & Report Writing
- Bloomberg Terminal Data Analysis
- Capital IQ & PitchBook Research
- Financial Modeling & Excel
- Macro & Cross-Asset Market Analysis
- Data Visualization & Presentation
Interested in Joining?
Applications for future editions open each semester. Students selected through the process will be invited to join an analyst cohort researching global markets alongside experienced mentors.
Apply for Next Cohort →What You Gain in 8 Months
A Real Research Portfolio
Walk away with institutional-quality publications you authored — tangible proof of your analytical capabilities for internship and full-time applications.
Market & Data Literacy
Develop fluency in reading macro data, interpreting market signals, and building the analytical vocabulary used by professionals at banks and asset managers.
Mentorship & Community
Work directly with a CFA-credentialed mentor and alongside a cohort of York's most driven finance students — building relationships that last beyond the program.
Who Should Apply?
The GMSG Analyst Program is open to all York University undergraduate students with a genuine interest in capital markets, macroeconomics, and financial research.
You don't need prior experience — we look for intellectual curiosity, commitment to the 8-month program, and a drive to produce work you're proud of.
The People Behind the Research
Each report is authored by a cohort of dedicated undergraduate analysts, coordinated by student leads, and mentored by a seasoned capital markets professional.
Nadeem Kassam, CFA, MBA
Research Lead & Course Director · Faculty Mentor
Nadeem is a seasoned investment professional with over 15 years of experience in portfolio management, trading, equity research, and investment strategy, gained through roles at leading Canadian and global banks. He is regularly quoted in the media and is a frequent guest on BNN. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic acumen, he has consistently delivered exceptional results for both institutional and retail clients in dynamic, high-pressure environments.
Nadeem is the Chief Investment Strategist, Chief Operating Officer and Portfolio Manager at Marnoa Private Wealth Counsel Ltd. Prior to this, Nadeem founded Advisor Insights, a consulting practice supporting financial advisors managing over $2 billion in client assets. He optimized asset management processes, enhanced advisor-client engagement strategies, and implemented data-driven solutions.
Previously, Nadeem was the Head of Investment Strategy / Chief Investment Strategist for Raymond James Canada, leading an independent platform of 500 advisors managing over $70 billion in assets. He developed innovative asset allocation frameworks and insightful perspectives that improved returns and advisor engagement. Nadeem also led a team responsible for managing and conducting due diligence on multiple asset allocation, equity, and balanced model portfolios for high-net-worth clients.
Prior to this, Nadeem worked at a leading Canadian bank, where he and his team managed over $3 billion across several equity and balanced strategies for high-net-worth clients, achieving consistent outperformance. He later transitioned into equity research at one of Canada's largest and top-ranked equity research platforms.
Nadeem is an Adjunct Professor at York University's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, where he teaches third- and fourth-year finance courses, including Personal Financial Planning and Advanced Portfolio Management. He holds an MBA from York University's Schulich School of Business, is a CFA charterholder, and earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Finance from York University.
Nadeem also mentors aspiring finance professionals through the CFA Society Toronto and York University and supports the Food Bank Mississauga's fundraising efforts, highlighting his commitment to fostering stronger communities.
February 2026 Cohort
Fourteen undergraduate students contributing institutional-quality research across six coverage groups.
Research Leadership
Essa Ansari
COO
Davidson Ajay
Research Coordinator
Analyst Cohort
Economics
Abishek Daryanani
Economics Analyst
Varen Desai
Economics Analyst
Equities
Adam Jaffar
Equities Analyst
Haiyun Su
Equities Analyst
Fixed Income
Alyssa Vieira
Fixed Income Analyst
Jay Savani
Fixed Income Analyst
Commodities
Daksh Singh
Commodities Analyst
Elizaveta Roman
Commodities Analyst
FX
Prabhjot Kaur
FX Analyst
Sidonia Wu
FX Analyst
Alternatives
Gopal Vasir
Alternatives Analyst
Jiien Suey Liew
Alternatives Analyst