index etf

The Canadian economy ranks among the top 10 globally and has performed better than most of its large, developed peers over the past decade. The country is also among the top 15 most-competitive economies in the world; to date, it has fared relatively well at containing the COVID-19 pandemic....

Diversification is a key part of our approach to successful investing. Done right, it can help investors cut the overall risk of their portfolios. Here’s a look at two different approaches: one ETF holds bonds in addition to stocks; the other invests globally in real estate stocks.


Still, our approach to portfolio diversification generally takes a broader view....

The major Canadian and U.S. stock markets have moved back up since their initial COVID-19 drop. Nonetheless, we think that if you can afford to stay in the market for several years or longer, now is still a good time to buy. We see ETFs as one way for you to profit from that rise, while cutting your risk.


The best of these funds offer a diversifed group of stocks while charging you low management fees....

The Bank of Canada cut its benchmark interest rate to 0.25% from 1.75% in March. The move was meant to spur the economy after COVID-19 hit. Whether the bank holds that rate steady, or cuts it even further, depends on the country’s economic growth and unemployment levels.


Meanwhile, even for our conservative investors, we caution against investing in bonds....

A: The iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF, $17.60, symbol XEI on Toronto (Units outstanding: 35.3 million; Market cap: $621.3 million; www.blackrock.com/ca), aims to track the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index, which effectively holds the 75 highest-yielding Canadian stocks.

The index is market-capitalization weighted, with each stock capped at 5% (any stock may rise above 5% temporarily until rebalancing)....

For the past decade or so, the European economy has lagged behind the faster-growing economies of the U.S. and China. The departure of the U.K. from the European Union also raised key questions about its overall stability.


However, the massive monetary and fiscal stimulus provided by member states, and the European Central Bank, during the pandemic bodes well for a longer term recovery....

A: KraneShares Emerging Markets Healthcare Index ETF, $31.74, symbol KMED on New York (Units outstanding: 100.0 million; Market cap: $3.2 billion; www.kraneshares.com), mirrors the Solactive Emerging Markets Healthcare Index.

This index tracks companies engaged in the health-care segment of various emerging markets....

A: The iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF, $20.19, symbol XDG on Toronto (Units outstanding: 7.1 million; Market cap: $143.3 million; www.blackrock.com/ca) aims to track the MSCI World High Dividend Yield Index.

The focus of the iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF is on large-capitalization, well-established stocks from the U.S....

When selecting ETFs, you should look at the stocks they hold but also the methods they use to choose them. All funds use strategies aimed at boosting returns and cutting risk. The two ETFs below (and that in the column to the right) use unique strategies that have both pros and cons.


Meanwhile, the supplement starting on page 79 provides more information on how the most-popular ETFs are constructed....

The major Canadian and U.S. stock markets have moved back up since their initial COVID-19 drop. Still, they have yet to regain their 2020 highs. Nonetheless, we think the worst is over for many stocks. We see ETFs as one way for you to profit from that recovery, while cutting your risk.


The best of these funds offer a diversifed group of stocks while charging you low management fees....