One purchase, instant global diversification. These all-in-one ETFs are the simplest way to invest in Canada.
All-in-one ETFs hold thousands of stocks and bonds from around the world in a single fund. They automatically rebalance, so you never have to. Buy one ETF, set up auto-invest, and you have a globally diversified portfolio that costs less than 0.25% per year.
This is the strategy recommended by most Canadian personal finance experts. It's simple, low-cost, and historically delivers strong long-term returns. The only decision you need to make is your risk tolerance — more stocks for growth, more bonds for stability.
| ETF | Provider | Stocks / Bonds | MER | Risk Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XEQT | iShares (BlackRock) | 100% / 0% | 0.20% | Aggressive | Long-term growth (20+ years) |
| VEQT | Vanguard | 100% / 0% | 0.24% | Aggressive | Long-term growth (Vanguard fans) |
| XGRO | iShares (BlackRock) | 80% / 20% | 0.20% | Growth | Growth with slight buffer |
| VGRO | Vanguard | 80% / 20% | 0.24% | Growth | Growth with slight buffer |
| XBAL | iShares (BlackRock) | 60% / 40% | 0.20% | Balanced | Moderate risk tolerance |
| VBAL | Vanguard | 60% / 40% | 0.24% | Balanced | Moderate risk tolerance |
| XCNS | iShares (BlackRock) | 40% / 60% | 0.20% | Conservative | Capital preservation focus |
| VCNS | Vanguard | 40% / 60% | 0.25% | Conservative | Capital preservation focus |
MER = Management Expense Ratio (annual cost). A 0.20% MER means you pay $2 per year for every $1,000 invested. All ETFs listed are available on TSX. Note: Vanguard reduced management fees in late 2025 to match iShares — official MERs will drop to ~0.20% once recalculated at fiscal year-end.
Both hold 100% global equities. XEQT has slightly more US weighting, VEQT slightly more international. Vanguard recently cut fees to match iShares, so the cost gap is closing. The difference is negligible — pick either and stick with it.
20+ years to retirement? XEQT/VEQT (100% stocks). 10-20 years? XGRO/VGRO (80/20). Under 10 years? XBAL/VBAL (60/40). Under 5 years? Consider GICs or HISAs instead.
These all-in-one ETFs contain 9,000+ stocks across 40+ countries. You don't need to add anything else. Resist the urge to tinker — simplicity wins. Buy monthly, ignore the news, check back in 20 years.
Buy these on any Canadian brokerage — Wealthsimple (free), Questrade (free ETF purchases), National Bank Direct (free), or Interactive Brokers ($1). Hold them in your TFSA first, then RRSP. Compare platforms
Each all-in-one ETF holds underlying ETFs covering Canadian, US, international developed, and emerging market stocks — plus bonds across multiple countries. True global exposure in one ticker.
When stocks rise and bonds fall (or vice versa), the fund automatically rebalances back to its target allocation. You never have to sell winners to buy losers — it's done for you.
At 0.20-0.24% MER, these ETFs cost a fraction of mutual funds (which charge 1-2%+). On a $100,000 portfolio, that's $200/year vs $2,000/year. Over 30 years, that difference compounds to tens of thousands.
Both iShares and Vanguard all-in-one ETFs overweight Canadian stocks (~25-30% vs Canada's ~3% global market share). This provides more Canadian dollar exposure and favourable tax treatment on Canadian dividends.