Going Global: International Equities in Focus

For Canadian investors eyeing opportunities abroad, the question isn’t just where — it’s how. In this episode, Hilly Cutler joins host Saakshi Mehta to unpack international equities, covering the hedged versus unhedged debate, the regions and trends worth watching, and key trading practices for foreign market ETFs.

Saakshi Mehta is Vice President of ETF & Alternatives Strategy at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Hilly Cutler, Director, Portfolio Consulting and Senior Portfolio Consultant at BMO GAM. This episode was recorded live on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

ETFs mentioned:

• BMO Asset Allocation ETFs
• BMO All-Equity ETF (Ticker: ZEQT)
• BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF (Ticker: ZEA)
• BMO MSCI EAFE Hedged to CAD Index ETF (Ticker: ZDM)
• BMO MSCI EAFE Small-Mid Cap Index ETF (Ticker: ZESM)
• BMO International Dividend ETF (Ticker: ZDI)
• BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF (Ticker: ZLI)
• BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF (Ticker: ZGQ)
• BMO MSCI Europe High Quality Hedged to CAD Index ETF (Ticker: ZEQ)

Sources:

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

Press Release - February 6, 2026 - BMO Launches New ETF Index Strategies

EAFE: Developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.

Emerging markets: Major economies and many smaller countries such as China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, and South Africa. 

Magnificent 7: A group of seven high‑performing U.S. technology and tech‑adjacent companies — Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla.