The Best Model ETF Portfolios (2024)
The Best Model ETF Portfolios (2024)

The Best Model ETF Portfolios (2024)

What is a Model Portfolio?

Model ETF portfolios typically set target allocations for different asset classes. The financial product landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, primarily driven by the growing adoption of model portfolios among financial advisors. Achieving success in self-directed investing can be distilled into a straightforward formula: diversify widely, minimize expenses, and steadfastly follow a long-term strategy. By holding just a few to a handful of ETFs, you can construct a sophisticated portfolio with exceptionally low fees and minimal upkeep.

The formula for successful do-it-yourself investing is simple: diversify broadly, keep your costs low, and stick to your plan over the long term. Asset allocation ETFs tick all of these boxes. With just one or two holdings, you can build a sophisticated portfolio with extremely low fees and minimal maintenance. These all-in-one ETF portfolios are the best solution for the vast majority of DIY investors. Imagine a model portfolio as a recipe. Combine a portion of stocks, bonds, cash and perhaps alternative investments, and you have a customized asset portfolio tailored to specific financial objectives. Another apt metaphor for understanding model portfolios is an investment blueprint.

BMO Model ETF Portfolios

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) is a Canadian multinational investment bank and financial services company. This financial institution uses a simple index strategy that can be built using Canadian bonds, Canadian equities and global equities. Here is a list of portfolios for various risk tolerances to replace your current mutual fund with a comparable ETF portfolio.

Mutual FundFund CodeMERETFTickerMER
BMO SelectTrust Conservative PortfolioBMO4732.29%BMO Conservative ETFZCON0.20%
BMO SelectTrust Balanced PortfolioBMO4742.40%BMO Balanced ETFZBAL0.20%
BMO SelectTrust Growth PortfolioBMO4842.50%BMO Growth ETFZGRO0.20%
BMO SelectTrust Equity Growth PortfolioBMO4852.61%BMO All-Equity ETFZEQT0.20%

Warren Buffet ETF Porfolio

The Warren Buffett Portfolio can be implemented with 2 ETFs. This portfolio has a very high risk, meaning it can experience significant fluctuations in value. It is suitable for investors with a high-risk tolerance who are seeking substantial returns and can withstand large drawdowns. The asset allocation is the following: 90% on the Stock Market and 10% on Fixed Income. In general, bonds are useful for mitigating overall portfolio risk, especially if they are issued by national entities or highly reliable companies. This portfolio has a 10% allocation to bonds, leading to its classification as very high risk.

ETFNameWeight
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF90%
SHYiShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF10%

Canadian Couch Potato Model ETF Portfolios

Canadian Couch Potato is a basic guide to index investing. The formula for successful do-it-yourself investing is simple: diversify broadly, keep your costs low, and stick to your plan over the long term. Asset allocation ETFs tick all of these boxes. If your chosen asset mix is 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% or 20% stocks, then you can build your portfolio with a single asset allocation ETF. With this one-fund solution, you’ll never need to rebalance your portfolio. Here is a list of model portfolios for various risk tolerances to help you build an ETF portfolio.

Risk ToleranceStocksBondsBlackRockBMOVanguard
Income20%80%XINCN/AVCIP
Conservative40%60%XCNSZCONVCNS
Balanced60%40%XBALZBALVBAL
Growth80%20%XGROZGROVGRO
All-Equity100%0%XEQTZEQTVEQT

Canadian Portfolio Manager Model ETF Portfolios

The Canadian Portfolio Manager blog helps new and seasoned DIY investors implement and manage their own ETF portfolio. Here is a list of model portfolios for various risk tolerances to help you build an ETF portfolio.

Risk ToleranceStocksBondsBlackRockBMOMackenzieVanguard
Income20%80%XINCN/AN/AVCIP
Conservative40%60%XCNSZCONMCONVCNS
Balanced60%40%XBALZBALMBALVBAL
Growth80%20%XGROZGROMGRWVGRO
All-Equity100%0%XEQTZEQTN/AVEQT

CIBC Model ETF Portfolios

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is a Canadian multinational banking and financial services corporation headquartered at CIBC Square in the Financial District of Toronto, Ontario. This financial institution uses a simple index strategy that can be built using Canadian bonds and global equities. Here is a list of portfolios for various risk tolerances to replace your current mutual fund with a comparable ETF portfolio.

Mutual FundFund CodeMERVABXWD
CIBC Smart Income SolutionCIB2101.62%75%25%
CIBC Smart Balanced Income SolutionCIB2201.67%60%40%
CIBC Smart Balanced SolutionCIB2301.77%40%60%
CIBC Smart Balanced Growth SolutionCIB2401.82%25%75%
CIBC Smart Growth SolutionCIB2501.93%10%90%

Ray Dalio All Weather Portfolio

The Ray Dalio All Weather Portfolio can be implemented with 5 ETFs. It is suitable for investors with a balanced approach to risk and return, seeking steady growth while tolerating some level of volatility. The asset allocation is 30% on the Stock Market, 55% on Fixed Income, and 15% on Commodities.

ETFNameWeight
VTIVanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF30%
TLTiShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF40%
IEIiShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF15%
GLDSPDR Gold Shares7.5%
PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF7.5%

Golden Butterfly Portfolio

The golden butterfly portfolio asset allocation is the following: 40% on the Stock Market, 40% on Fixed Income, 20% on Commodities. In general, bonds are useful for mitigating overall portfolio risk, especially if they are issued by national entities or highly reliable companies. This portfolio has a 40% allocation to bonds, leading to its classification as high risk.

ETFNameWeight
VTIVanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF20%
AVUVAvantis US Small Cap Value ETF20%
TLTiShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF20%
SHYiShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF20%
GLDSPDR Gold Shares20%

Good Investing Model ETF Portfolios

Sustainable investing aims to make intentional decisions about where they’re investing their money. Here is a list of Good Investing model portfolios for various risk tolerances to help you build an ETF portfolio.

StrategyAGSGCESG.BDRCUDRFGETHIGBALHGGBQCLNZCLNZESGZGBN/A
The Organic Couch Potato Pie15%0%0%0%0%75%0%0%0%0%0%10%
De La Crème Pie0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%15%75%0%10%
Round the World Pie0%0%30%45%0%0%0%15%0%0%0%0%
Crunchy Granola Pie0%20%0%0%40%0%0%0%0%0%30%10%

Libro Model ETF Portfolios

Libro Credit UnionLibro, or Libro Credit Union Limited, is a credit union based in London, Ontario, Canada. Libro is owned by its customers, who direct the institution’s decisions. Libro offers many financial services, including chequing and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, investments, financial coaching and advice for consumers and farm and business owners. This financial institution uses a simple index strategy that can be built using Canadian bonds, Canadian equities and global equities. Here is a list of portfolios for various risk tolerances to replace your current mutual fund with a comparable ETF portfolio.

Mutual FundFund CodeMERVABZLBXWD
NEI Select Income RS PortfolioNWT0241.80%75%7%18%
NEI Select Income & Growth RS PortfolioNWT0142.03%60%12%28%
NEI Select Balanced RS PortfolioNWT0192.44%40%15%45%
NEI Select Growth & Income RS PortfolioNWT0082.36%30%15%55%
NEI Select Growth RS PortfolioNWT0202.54%15%17%68%
NEI Select Maximum Growth RS PortfolioNWT900122.45%0%20%80%

National Bank Model ETF Portfolios

The National Bank of Canada is the sixth largest commercial bank in Canada. It is headquartered in Montreal, and has branches in most Canadian provinces and 2.4 million personal clients. National Bank is the largest bank in Quebec, and the second largest financial institution in the province, after Desjardins credit union. This financial institution uses a simple index strategy that can be built using Canadian bonds, Canadian equities, American equities, European equities and emerging markets equities. Here is a list of portfolios for various risk tolerances to replace your current mutual fund with a comparable ETF portfolio.

Mutual FundFund CodeMERVABZLBHXXCWOXUS
NBI Secure PortfolioNBC9211.88%80%7%4%2%7%
NBI Conservative PortfolioNBC9221.93%70%10.5%6%3%10.5%
NBI Moderate PortfolioNBC9232.05%55%15.75%9%4.5%15.75%
NBI Balanced PortfolioNBC9242.23%40%21%12%6%21%
NBI Growth PortfolioNBC9252.41%20%28%16%8%28%
NBI Equity PortfolioNBC9262.51%0%35%20%10%35%

PWL Capital Model ETF Portfolios (Dimensional)

PWL Capital offers wealth management services, simplifying wealth for Canadians. Helping you frame financial decisions through the lens of living a good life. PWL offers a personalized approach to wealth management that lets their clients define their financial and family goals based on their lifestyles. They integrate financial planning and investment management so our advisors can develop targeted strategies and provide each customer with a unique experience. Their teams specialize in serving high net worth (HNW) clients, with the expertise and experience to oversee every aspect of your financial life. Here is a list of model portfolios for various risk tolerances to help you build an ETF portfolio.

Risk ToleranceXWDHAF
40/6040%60%
50/5050%50%
60/4060%40%
70/3070%30%
80/2080%20%
100/0100%0%

Rational Reminder Model ETF Portfolios (Ben Felix)

Ben Felix is a portfolio manager at PWL Capital in Canada. He is perhaps better known for his YouTube channel and Rational Reminder podcast alongside Cameron Passmore. Felix is a proponent of research-based advice looking at the evidence and data to inform and optimize investing decisions. Here is a list of model portfolios for various risk tolerances to help you build an ETF portfolio.

Risk ToleranceZAGXICVUNAVUVXEFAVDVXEC
40/6060.0%12.0%12.0%4.0%6.4%2.4%3.2%
50/5050.0%15.0%15.0%5.0%8.0%3.0%4.0%
60/4040.0%18.0%18.0%6.0%9.6%3.6%4.8%
70/3030.0%21.0%21.0%7.0%11.2%4.2%5.6%
80/2020.0%24.0%24.0%8.0%12.8%4.8%6.4%
100/00.0%30.0%30.0%10.0%16.0%6.08.0%

RBC Model ETF Portfolios

Royal Bank of Canada is a Canadian multinational financial services company and the largest bank in Canada by market capitalization. The bank serves over 17 million clients and has more than 89,000 employees worldwide. Founded in 1864 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it maintains its corporate headquarters in Toronto and its head office in Montreal. This financial institution uses a simple index strategy that can be built using a diversified mix of cash, bonds and equities equities. Here is a list of portfolios for various risk tolerances to replace your current mutual fund with a comparable ETF portfolio.

Mutual FundFund CodeMERVABZLBXUSHXXPSACJPZIDCWO
RBC Select Very Conservative PortfolioRBF2091.69%73%10%8%3.5%2%1.9%1.6%0%
RBC Select Conservative PortfolioRBF4611.84%58%13%15%6%2%3.25%2.75%0%
RBC Select Balanced PortfolioRBF4601.94%38%15%25%7.5%2%4%3.5%5%
RBC Select Growth PortfolioRBF4592.04%23%18%30%9.5%2%5.1%4.4%8%
RBC Select Aggressive Growth PortfolioRBF5922.14%0%29%38%10%2%5.4%4.6%11%

Scotiabank Model ETF Portfolios

This financial institution uses a simple index strategy that can be built using Canadian bonds, Canadian equities and global equities. Here is a list of portfolios for various risk tolerances to replace your current mutual fund with a comparable ETF portfolio.

Mutual FundFund CodeMERVABZLBXWD
Scotia Selected Income PortfolioBNS3381.72%75%10%15%
Scotia Selected Balanced Income PortfolioBNS3401.83%65%15%20%
Scotia Selected Balanced Growth PortfolioBNS3411.94%45%22%33%
Scotia Selected Growth PortfolioBNS3422.04%25%30%45%
Scotia Selected Maximum Growth PortfolioBNS3442.16%10%27%63%

TD Model ETF Portfolios

This financial institution uses a simple index strategy that can be built using Canadian bonds, Canadian equities and global equities. Here is a list of portfolios for various risk tolerances to replace your current mutual fund with a comparable ETF portfolio.

Mutual FundFund CodeMERVABZLBXWD
TD Comfort Conservative Income PortfolioTDB24401.53%80%5%15%
TD Comfort Balanced Income PortfolioTDB8851.75%70%8%22%
TD Comfort Balanced PortfolioTDB8861.91%55%13%32%
TD Comfort Balanced Growth PortfolioTDB8872.02%40%16.5%43.5%
TD Comfort Growth PortfolioTDB8882.13%20%22.5%57.5%
TD Comfort Aggressive Growth PortfolioTDB8892.23%0%30%70%

How Do Model Portfolios Work?

In each distinct model portfolio, expert managers outline a precise asset allocation and routinely readjust it to maintain the portfolio’s intended structure. Model portfolios often employ widely recognized market indices, such as the S&P 500, as performance benchmarks. They aim to strike a balance between returns and risk by holding a collection of securities. Although model portfolio managers may set specific return targets for their portfolios, achieving or surpassing these objectives is not guaranteed. Many model portfolios, especially over the short or medium term, may fall short of their intended returns.

Model Portfolios and Asset Allocation

Model portfolios hinge on two fundamental investment principles: diversification and asset allocation. These principles work in tandem to mitigate investment risks. Diversification involves incorporating a variety of investments into a single portfolio, spanning different asset classes and even within those classes.

Model ETF portfolios typically set target allocations for different asset classes. Asset allocation pertains to the proportion of the portfolio allocated to each asset type. For instance, a common example is the 70/30 portfolio, where 70% comprises stocks and 30% bonds. Portfolio managers strive to maintain consistent asset allocations over time by regularly rebalancing the portfolio. They sell assets that have performed well and buy assets that have underperformed to realign the portfolio with its intended allocation. This ensures that the portfolio remains in line with its designated blueprint.

Conclusion

Model portfolios can be great options for beginner investors looking for an ETF compatible to their current product. But before you invest your hard-earned money into a model portfolio, it’s important to understand how the portfolio works. You will also want to compare fees. The more knowledgeable you are, the better investment decisions you will make.