Canadian ETFs Explode

WisdomTree ETFs Canada

First Published Date: May 15, 2016

The Canadian ETF market passed a milestone by adding 400 available ETFs trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). As average investors are gradually realizing the significance of paying low fees on ETFs, they are ditching high-fee mutual funds in favour of low-fee ETFs. After all, why would someone want to pay a 2.50 percent MER on a mutual fund when they can obtain a very similar ETF with a 0.10 to 0.25 percent fee? It’s no wonder assets under management for ETFs on TSX have passed or are close to passing $100 billion.

Big mutual fund companies, which have been in denial of getting into ETFs for decades, are coming to the realization that there is no other choice but to enter the ETF arena. Their excuse was that, due to its low fees, no money could be made from ETFs. However, the change of heart happened when they finally (although they were late) realized that people are shifting from mutual funds and ETFs and if they don’t change now other providers will keep grabbing market share and they will be left out in the middle of nowhere. Big mutual fund companies like CI Investments and Mackenzie are now active in ETFs.

BMO (Bank of Montreal) deserves credit for recognizing ETF potential many years ago, before any other banks or mutual fund companies. And it has been awarded generously for its far-fetched decision. BMO is the second largest ETF player in Canada today after iShares and before Vanguard with $27 billion assets under management.

Also, WisdomTree, a major ETF provider in the US, has announced that it will launch its ETFs in Canada and is awaiting Canadian regulatory approval. You will see more ETF players from within and outside Canada to offer ETFs for Canadian investors in the future.

More players mean more choices, more competition, and better value; that’s good for everyone and that’s what we want in Canada.