Views from the Desk

Podcast: The Case for Commodities

Oct. 30, 2025

Looking for portfolio diversifiers? In this episode, special guests Roxane Lapenna, Jimmy Xu and your host, Andrew Vachon, delve into one of the world’s oldest assets, Gold, as well as the wider commodities complex, and several ways an exposure can help strengthen diversification. 

Andrew Vachon is Vice President of Product Marketing at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). He is joined on the podcast by Roxane Lapenna, Head of Retail Investment Specialists at BMO GAM and Jimmy Xu, Head, Liquid Alts and Non Linear ETFs at BMO GAM. The episode was recorded live on Wednesday, October 292025.

ETFs mentioned in the podcast:

Futures Contract: a standardized legal agreement to buy or sell a specific asset at a predetermined price at a specified time in the future. 

Correlation: a statistical measure describing the strength and direction of a relationship between two or more variables. Positive correlation indicates similar movements, up or down together, while negative correlation indicates opposite movements (when one rises, the other falls).

Risk-adjusted Return: A measure of investment performance taking into consideration how much risk/​volatility was assumed to generate it. Consider two investments, both of which return 10% over a given time period. The investment with the greater risk-adjusted return would be the one that experienced less price fluctuation. Two of the most commonly used measures of risk adjusted returns are Sharpe and Sortino ratios.

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 doesn’t tell you 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 an ETF’s returns, see the BMO ETFs’ prospectus.

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. 

The BMO Broad Commodity ETF is an exchange-traded alternative mutual fund within the meaning of NI 81-102. As an alternative mutual fund, the BMO ETF has the ability to invest in asset classes and use investment strategies that are not permitted for conventional mutual funds, including the ability to invest in other alternative mutual funds, employ leverage and borrow cash to use for investment purposes and increased ability to invest in commodities. While these strategies will be used in accordance with the BMO ETF’s investment objective and strategies, during certain market conditions, they may accelerate the pace at which an investor’s investment decreases in value. 

Index returns do not reflect transactions costs, or the deduction of other fees and expenses and it is not possible to invest directly in an Index. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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.

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.