Best all-in-one ETFs for 2020

Overview Canadian U.S. International Fixed-Income All-in-One Desert-Island Picks

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

About Jonathan Chevreau

As MoneySense’s Investing-Editor-at-Large, he is also author of Findependence Day and co-author of Victory Lap Retirement. Reach him at [email protected], where he is the founder of Financial Independence Hub.

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Comments Cancel reply

Hyacinthe says:

May 18, 2020 at 7:56 am

You should invite Tim Nash (Sustainable Economist) on the panel next time to have some recommendations of ESG funds that are really sustainable.

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Martial says:

May 22, 2020 at 3:23 pm

Hi, I would like to know how to choose between the 3 ETFs providers (iShares, BMO and Vanguard) for a Growth strategy? Thank you.

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1. MoneySense Staff says:
  
  May 25, 2020 at 9:50 am
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Ted Woytowich says:

June 1, 2020 at 2:45 pm

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 ?

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CyKay says:

January 13, 2021 at 7:48 am

How does HGRO stack up against the ones listed above? Appears to have lower fees

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1. MoneySense Editors says:
  
  January 20, 2021 at 10:29 am
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Allen Naziel says:

May 24, 2022 at 11:37 am

Which ETF’s are best picks for RRSP’s? And, what amount of income to determine contributing to an rrsp? (45k-55k)Thank you.

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