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Our panel picks the best one-stop portfolio ETFs.
The panel was unanimous in affirming last year’s choice of the pioneering Vanguard asset allocation ETFs (VGRO, VBAL, VCNS, VEQT and VCIP). Panelist Robb Engen calls these All-in-one ETF solutions “game changers” and his own “desert island” pick was again the all-stocks VEQT.
This year, the panel also added the equivalent suites from BMO and iShares, as well as a new BMO ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) asset allocation ETF—the first of its kind in Canada.
BMO Growth ETF (ZGRO) is like Vanguard’s VGRO, 80% in equities and 20% in fixed income. BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL) is like VBAL, with 60% in stocks and 40% in fixed income. And BMO Conservative ETF (ZCON) is like Vanguard’s VCNS, with 40% in stocks and 60% in fixed income, although the ticker is less similar than in the first two cases.
The All-in-one ETFs from iShares also follow Vanguard’s tickers, with XEQT (100% equities), XGRO (80% stocks/20% bonds), XBAL (60% stocks/40% bonds), and XCNS (40% stocks/60% bonds). However, the pattern is broken with XINC (20% stocks to 80% bonds), iShares Core Income Balanced ETF Portfolio, as compared with Vanguard’s very conservative VCIP ETF.
Earlier this year, BMO announced several ESG ETFs, including our new All-star pick, BMO Balanced ESG ETF (ZESG/TSX). This is the first ESG asset allocation ETF in Canada, providing the classic balanced asset mix of 60% equity to 40% bonds. It uses the same ESG screens as the other BMO ESG ETFs—targeting the top ESG rated equities in various sectors and industries, while excluding controversies and industries such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco and weapons.
| ETF Name | Ticker | Management Fee | MER | # of Holdings | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Growth ETF Portfolio | VGRO | 0.22 | 0.25 | 7 | Holds 7 Vanguard ETFs, 80% equities versus 20% bonds |
| Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio | VBAL | 0.22 | 0.25 | 7 | Holds 7 Vanguard ETFs, 60% equities versus 40% bonds |
| Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio | VCNS | 0.22 | 0.25 | 7 | Holds 7 Vanguard ETFs, 40% equities versus 60% bonds |
| Vanguard All-Equity ETF Portfolio | VEQT | 0.22 | 0.25 | 7 | Holds 7 Vanguard ETFs, 100% equities |
| Vanguard Conservative Income ETF Portfolio | VCIP | 0.22 | 0.25 | 7 | Holds 7 Vanguard ETFs, 20% equities versus 80% bonds |
| NEW! iShares Core Equity ETF Portfolio | XEQT | 0.18 | 0.2 | 4 | Most aggressive; Holds 4 iShares ETFs, 100% equities |
| NEW: iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio | XGRO | 0.18 | 0.2 | 8 | Holds 8 iShares ETFs, 80% equities versus 20% bonds |
| NEW! iShares Core Income Balanced ETF Portfolio | XBAL | 0.18 | 0.2 | 8 | Holds 8 iShares ETFs, 60% equities versus 40% bonds |
| NEW! iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio | XCNS | 0.18 | 0.2 | 8 | Holds 8 iShares ETFs, 40% equities versus 60% bonds |
| NEW! iShares Core Income Balanced ETF Portfolio | XINC | 0.18 | 0.2 | 8 | Most conservative: 20% equities versus 80% bonds |
| NEW! BMO Growth ETF | ZGRO | 0.18 | 0.2 | 7 | Holds 7 BMO ETFs; 20% fixed income, 80% equity |
| NEW! BMO Balanced ETF | ZBAL | 0.18 | 0.2 | 7 | Holds 7 BMO ETFs; 60% equity, 40% fixed income |
| NEW! BMO Conservative ETF | ZCON | 0.18 | 0.2 | 7 | Holds 7 BMO ETFs; 60% fixed income, 40% equity |
| BMO Balanced ESG ETF | ZESG | 0.18 | 0.2 | 6 | First one-ticket solution in the emerging ESG or sustainable investing area, low-cost and globally diversified ESG |
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You should invite Tim Nash (Sustainable Economist) on the panel next time to have some recommendations of ESG funds that are really sustainable.
Hi, I would like to know how to choose between the 3 ETFs providers (iShares, BMO and Vanguard) for a Growth strategy? Thank you.
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
On top of the fees identified are we also paying additional fees for each one of the ETF’s that are part of the ETF’s identified ?
How does HGRO stack up against the ones listed above? Appears to have lower fees
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
Which ETF’s are best picks for RRSP’s? And, what amount of income to determine contributing to an rrsp? (45k-55k)Thank you.