Portfolios are only as strong as their foundations. In today’s episode, Alain Desbiens joins your host, Erika Toth, to take a deep dive into low-cost core ETFs and how they can do the heavy-lifting for investors’ financial goals at any stage of life.

Erika Toth is Director and Head of ETF and Portfolio Consultants at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Alain Desbiens, Vice Chair, BMO ETFs, BMO GAM. Recorded live on Nov 27, 2025.

ETFs:

• BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (ZCN)
• BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP)
• BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF (ZEA)
• BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB)
• BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (ZLU)
• Canadian Depositary Receipts (CDRs)
• BMO Asset Allocation ETFs
• BMO All-Equity ETF (ZEQT)
• BMO Growth ETF (ZGRO)
• BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL)
• BMO Conservative ETF (ZCON)
• BMO Global Infrastructure Index ETF (ZGI)
• BMO Gold Bullion ETF (ZGLD)
• BMO Broad Commodity ETF (ZCOM)
• BMO Long Short Canadian Equity ETF (ZLSC)
• BMO Long Short US Equity ETF (ZLSU)
• BMO Balanced ETF (T6 Series) (ZBAL.T)
• BMO Growth ETF (Fixed Percentage Distribution Units) (ZGRO.T)
• BMO Canadian High Dividend Covered Call ETF (ZWC)
• BMO Global High Dividend Covered Call ETF (ZWG)
• BMO Global Infrastructure Fund (Active ETF Series) (BGIF)

Largest and Most Liquid ETFs

2025 Canadian Investor Study by Broadridge

SPIVA Canada Mid-Year 2025 Score Card

Press Release - BMO Lowers Fees on Asset Allocation ETFsManagement Expense Ratio (MER): the percentage of the annual fees plus the annual expenses, divided by the average net assets of the fund. 

Trading Expense Ratio (TER): The TER represents the costs each fund spends on brokerage commissions for buying and selling the underlying investments.

Fund Expense Ratio (FER): A measure of an investment fund's annual operating expenses as a percentage of its assets.

Disclaimers:

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This podcast is for information purposes. The viewpoints expressed by the speakers represent their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.

Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors shouldcarefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent prospectus. 

Commissions, management fees and expensesall may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds. Please read the ETF Facts or prospectus of the BMO ETFs before investing. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in the BMO ETFs, please see the specific risks set out in the BMO ETF’s prospectus. BMO ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

BMO ETFs are managed and administered by BMO Asset Management Inc., an investment fund manager and a portfolio manager, and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.

BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name under which BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. operate.

“BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.