BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

E297 – Guided ETF Portfolio Strategy Q1 2026


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From shifting policy signals to growing interest in commodities, the investing playbook is evolving. In this episode, ETF and Alternatives Strategist Bipan Rai and host Michelle Allen discuss what these developments could mean for portfolio strategies and fixed income positioning in the year ahead. 

Michelle Allen is Senior Associate, Online Distribution at BMO Exchange Traded Funds and Bipan Rai is Head of ETF Strategy, Exchange Traded Funds at BMO Global Asset Management. Recorded live on January 14, 2026.

 ETFs:

·   BMO MSCI USA High Quality Index ETF (ZUQ)

·   BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (ZCN)

·   BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF (ZEA)

·   BMO MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (ZEM)

·   BMO Canadian Bank Income Index ETF ( ZBI)

·   ⁠Fixed Income ETFs

·   BMO Covered Call Spread Gold Bullion ETF (ZWGD) 


Sources:

ETF Flows, according to the National Bank Report, December 2025

Commentary: How to keep dancing when the party is slowing down

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Prohibition on Use of Reputation Risk by Regulators (October 2025)

LRCN: Limited Recourse Capital Notes

NPR: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO)

Term premium: The extra return (a risk premium) investors demand for holding a longer-term bond instead of repeatedly reinvesting in shorter-term bonds over the same period, compensating for risks like uncertain inflation and interest rate changes.

Disclaimers:

 Please visit for full disclaimers

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 should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent prospectus.

The BMO ETFs or securities referred to herein are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”), and MSCI bears no liability with respect to any such BMO ETFs or securities or any index on which such BMO ETFs or securities are based. The prospectus of the BMO ETFs contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI has with BMO Asset Management Inc. and any related BMO ETFs.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all 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 by BMO Asset Management Inc., an investment fund manager, 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.

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BMO ETFs: Views from the DeskBy BMO Exchange Traded Funds


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