Views from the Desk
Views from the Desk

Podcast: A Deep Dive on CLOs

Nov. 6, 2025

In today’s episode, special guest Mark Jarosz and your host, Zayla Saunders, revisit CLO ETFs. This time, they explore the middle of the capital stack that has BBB-tranches, which they’re calling a sweet spot. Stay tuned to find out why.

Zayla Saunders is a Senior Associate of Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Management (GAM). She is joined on the podcast by Mark Jarosz, Head, Private Credit, Alternatives at BMO GAM. The episode was recorded live on Tuesday, October 142025.

ETFs mentioned in the podcast:

30-Year History of Credit Default for AAA-rated tranches (zero defaults) and for BBB-rated tranches (low): Bloomberg, as of December 31, 2024 (Jan-1995 to Dec-2024). Past default rates are not indicative of future default rates.

Disclaimers:

Please see the full CLO ETFs disclaimers here.

Changes in rates of exchange may also reduce the value of your investment.

CLOs are floating- or fixed-rate debt securities issued in different tranches, with varying degrees of risk, by trusts or other special purpose vehicles (“CLO Issuers”) and backed by an underlying portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade corporate loans. The BMO ETF pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 85% of its net assets in CLOs that, at the time of purchase, are rated AAA or the equivalent by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. 

AAA herein refers to the order of payments, should there be any defaults, and does not represent the ratings of the underlying loans within the CLO. If there are loan defaults or the CLO Issuer’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches take precedence over those of mezzanine tranches (a tranche or tranches subordinated to the senior tranche), and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those to subordinated/​equity tranches. The riskiest portion is the Equity” tranche, which bears the first losses and is expected to bear all or the bulk of defaults from the corporate loans held by the CLO Issuer serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default.

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 simplified prospectus.

The portfolio holdings are subject to change without notice. They are not recommendations to buy or sell any particular security.

All investments involve risk. The value of an ETF can go down as well as up and you could lose money. The risk of an ETF is rated based on the volatility of the ETF’s returns using the standardized risk classification methodology mandated by the Canadian Securities Administrators. Historical volatility does not dictate how volatile an ETF will be in the future. An ETF with a risk rating of low” can still lose money. For more information about the risk rating and specific risks that can affect BMO AAA CLO ETF’s returns, see BMO AAA CLO ETF’s prospectus. 

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 ETF 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 BMO AAA CLO ETF, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus.

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.

This podcast is for information purposes. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Particular investments and/​or trading strategies should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.

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