Q: Pat, I am 75 years old and have a million-dollar-plus investment portfolio, mainly in blue chip, dividend-paying stocks. I recently bought some of the BMO International Dividend ETF. Could you give me your opinion on this ETF? Note—I’ve been an Inner Circle member for years.

A: BMO International Dividend ETF, $21.63, symbol ZDI on Toronto (Units outstanding: 20.1 million; Market cap: $434.8 million; www.bmoetfs.cawww.bmoetfs.ca), offers exposure to a portfolio of high-yield dividend-paying companies in developed markets. The fund excludes North American firms but can include foreign ADRs trading on U.S…. Read More

Here are new BMO ETFs for Canadian investors

BMO recently added eight new ETFs to their already extensive Canadian lineup. Here’s a look at two of the new BMO ETFs now available to Canadian investors.
BMO GLOBAL HEALTH CARE ETF $15.58 (NEO Exchange symbol BGHC) invests globally in publicly traded health care businesses. This actively managed ETF launched… Read More

Buy utilities despite today’s higher rates

Rising interest rates boost bond yields and their appeal with investors. Conversely, rising rates can hurt the appeal of high-yield utilities, and their shares, since those companies must pay higher interest on their debt. Still, top utilities remain financially healthy and continue to expand and… Read More

High-yield ETFs—two buys, one avoid

High interest rates mean dividend-paying stocks must increasingly compete for investor interest with bonds and other fixed-income instruments. However, focusing on sustainable dividends still offers an attractive and growing income stream for investors—as long as you avoid the riskier strategies that some ETF managers use… Read More

Q: Pat, what do you think of me holding the BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF to lower the overall volatility of my portfolio? Thanks for all your advice.

A: The BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF, $41.20, symbol ZLB on Toronto (Units outstanding: 71.1 million; Market cap: $2.9 billion; www.etfs.bmo.com), provides exposure to a low beta-weighted portfolio of Canadian stocks. The aim is to reduce your exposure to market volatility.

The ETF selects 40… Read More

Two ETFs for those seeking bonds

Interest rates moved up substantially in 2022—the Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest rate during the year to 4.25% in December from just 0.50% in March!
This has made it more attractive to invest in fixed-income instruments, including corporate and government bonds. However, further rate… Read More

Consumer staples offer strength in downturns

Traditionally, the price of most stocks, and the ETFs that hold them, drop during market declines. However, certain segments generally perform better than the overall market. Below, we highlight three ETFs focused on firms that produce and sell consumer staples. They should, as in past… Read More

Focus on high yields that are sustainable

High-yielding ETFs have appeal for income-seeking investors. The income they provide can also provide a buffer in declining markets. However, you need to look closely at the strategies that let those ETFs pay their high yields—and whether they are worth the risks.
Below we look at… Read More