The Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity COM ETF which tracks the Auspice Broad Commodity ER Index has reached 5-star status by Morningstar (here) on a 5 and 10 year basis. More info about the Auspice strategy and Direxion linked fund.
While gold’s performance since 2023 has been outstanding, it is neither an inflation hedge nor does it represent commodities broadly. Tim Pickering highlights that structural demand from technology, infrastructure and supply constraints across metals and energy markets, combined with broader economic and inflation dynamics, may offer compelling opportunities within the commodity complex beyond headline assets.
See more in the December 25th, 2025 special to the Financial Post here
In seeking to transform Canada’s economy and trade relationships the Carney Government has introduced a wide array of initiatives aimed at getting this country’s vast resource wealth out of the ground and into global markets. New tax incentives and deregulation for capital investment in the budget is the latest in a slew of initiatives aimed at increasing commodity production. The new Major Projects Office, too, has earmarked copper mines and LNG processing facilities as matters of national importance. Unearthing growth through commodities now appears to be a priority for this government, but Tim Pickering is still waiting before he celebrates.
See more in the November 19th, 2025 Wealth Professional feature here
Fear and greed might be an unhelpful binary in moments when markets hit historic highs and multiples get expensive. Looking at US markets right now there’s a case to be made that these emotions are not mutually exclusive. Investors are greedy, in that they’re still seeking out the AI-theme that is driving US tech companies and overall US market indices to new heights. They’re fearful, too, both of a downturn in that theme and of missing out on a further run. So where can advisors turn when US equities are still driving higher, but so many signals are screaming diversify…
See more in the October 6th, 2025 Wealth Professional feature here
Despite longstanding perceptions, Auspice Capital Advisor’s Tim Pickering believes ESG investing and commodity strategies aren't mutually exclusive. His argument is the aversion to commodities within ESG frameworks stems largely from a misunderstanding of how exposure can be structured.
“We get that commodities and commodity production and extraction is an inherently invasive process but depending on how you get that exposure, you could have no carbon footprint,” noted Pickering, Auspice’s founder, president and CIO. “Is there a way to get that exposure as an investor in a less invasive way?”
Auspice Capital Advisors (“Auspice”) today announced the launch of Auspice Commodity Evolution (ACE), a tactical, ESG-aligned commodity strategy designed to deliver strong, risk-managed performance while providing sustainable inflation protection and targeted exposure to energy transition markets. ACE is the latest innovation from Auspice, drawing on a legacy of leadership in commodity ETFs, index publishing, and ESG-focused research to deliver a targeted institutional solution.
ACE was developed in partnership with Concordia University’s external investment entities – the Concordia University Inter-Generational Fund (CUiF) and the Pension Plan for the Employees of Concordia University (PPECU). The strategy reflects Concordia’s leadership in sustainability, including within its financial strategies.
Auspice Founder & CIO Tim Pickering and Partner Brennan Basnicki break down the key forces shaping today’s market, explore the dynamics of crisis alpha, and discuss why commodities could be primed for a major move.
Here is what was covered:
Performance Deep Dive
Crisis Alpha Review
Commodity Outlook
Current Positioning
Market Trends & Signals
Auspice Updates
To access the replay of the webinar, please email info@auspicecapital.com
“When you buy an oil company you buy a lot of other things that make it behave like other energy stocks or even like the whole stock market. Further, when you move beyond energy, markets like sugar, orange juice, carbon, cotton, coffee, lead, and tin – these markets don’t really care about interest rates, the Fed, or what the US President does. They are mostly driven by local or global supply and demand.”
“Gold did well during the recent period of disinflation in 2023 and 2024, when CPI moderated, and other growth type assets such as equities and crypto also did well. It can be a great diversifier, but it has not proven to be a reliable inflation hedge.”
Auspice CIO & President Tim Pickering outlined why he thinks we might be in the upswing of a commodity cycle and why a broader commodity basket can help now.
See more in the March 19th, 2025 Wealth Professional here.
Trying to leave politics aside is difficult as a Canadian right now. A changing federal leadership and the return of a tariff-driven Donald Trump-led U.S. administration have ignited uncertainty. Emotions are running high and throwing off markets. But for investors who can keep a cool head and realize that markets trade on supply, demand, sentiment and psychology, alongside fundamental and technical forces, this volatility can create opportunity. And nowhere is that more true than in commodities.
See more in the March 17th, 2025 Special to the Financial Post here.
“Canada is a major producer of critical minerals, which see high demand for use in renewables.
The U.S. wants these resources because it needs them in its supply chain where it might have previously sourced those items from other nations like Russia and China.
Ultimately, they want to secure friendly supply chains…And when you get to the U.S. military, seeking domestic or allied mineral supply chains and avoiding reliance on these potential adversaries it’s a no brainer”.
Auspice Founder & CIO Tim Pickering was interviewed by BNN and featured in a February 15th 2024 article in BNN Bloomberg and CTV News. See more here.
Tim Pickering was interviewed by Mike Eppel on 680 News Canada.
About 4 million barrels of Canadian Crude Oil are exported from Alberta to the United States every day. While President Trump has suggested the US doesn’t need anything from Canada, he ignores the fact that Canada is the largest source of Crude imports (do they really want more from Venezuela, Russia or the Middle East?).
Trump tariffs could affect heavy oil differentials (currently -$12 to -$14 see here via the Canadian Crude Index), some say by as much 5-$15/b....but this simply is "the art of the deal". Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is smarter than that.
To hear more, download the MP3 audio recording here.