Views from the Desk
Views from the Desk

Strengthening Your Core with ETFs

Dec. 4, 2025

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 on the podcast by Alain Desbiens, Vice Chair, BMO ETFs, BMO GAM. The episode was recorded live on Thursday, November 272025.

ETFs mentioned:

Largest and Most Liquid ETFs

2025 Canadian Investor Study

SPIVA Canada Mid-Year 2025 Score Card

Total Cost Reporting: An upcoming initiative under Client Relationship Model Phase 3 (CRM3), as per the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.

Management 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.

Correlation: A statistical measure of how two securities move in relation to one another. Positive correlation indicates similar movements, up or down together, while negative correlation indicates opposite movements (when one rises, the other falls).

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

The Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“SPDJI”), and has been licensed for use by the Manager. S&P®, S&P 500®, US 500, The 500, iBoxx®, iTraxx® and CDX® are trademarks of S&P Global, Inc. or its affiliates (“S&P”) and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”), and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by the Manager. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the Index.

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.

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 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.