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The 6 best ETFs in Canada

Here are the 6 best Canadian ETFs on the TSX including the top ETF for dividend, REIT and bond investing.

We rounded up the 6 best ETFs in Canada based on performance, dividends and focus. From funds that perform well in the short and long run, to the best dividend, REIT and bond funds, these are the high-performing ETFs to watch on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

Ready to invest? Check out ETF fees for brokerages like Wealthsimple, TD Direct Investing, Questrade, RBC Direct Investing and more.

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  • Low fees
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  • $50 in free trades
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Best ETFs in Canada

Upward trend chart

BetaPro Natural Gas Inverse Leveraged Daily Bear ETF (HND)

The fund aims to provide daily results corresponding with 2X (200%) the opposite of the Horizons Natural Gas Rolling Futures Index.

  • YTD returns: 125.30%
  • Expense ratio: 1.38%
  • Holdings: Primarily rolling forward contracts (commodities) and cash held for collateral
  • Investment type: Multi Alternative
Buy on Interactive Brokers

6 best Canadian ETFs by YTD performance

As of March 2024, these are the 6 best ETFs on the TSX based on year-to-date performance:

SymbolETF nameYTD returnsManagement feeNet assets
HNDBetaPro Natural Gas Inverse Leveraged Daily Bear ETF125.30%1.15%77.85M
BTCX-UCI Galaxy Bitcoin ETF US$ SeriesUnits76.58%0.85%102.59M
FBTC-UFidelity Advantage Bitcoin ETF75.47%0.96%44.49M
BTCC-UPurpose Bitcoin ETF75.32%1.46%163.02M
BTCX-BCI Galaxy Bitcoin ETF C$ Unhedged Series Units75.02%0.85%205.06M
BITC-UNinepoint Bitcoin ETF74.11%1.45%19.85M

Best ETF in Canada: 1-year performance

Upward trend chart

BetaPro Natural Gas Inverse Leveraged Daily Bear ETF (HND)

The fund aims to provide daily results corresponding with 2X (200%) the opposite of the Horizons Natural Gas Rolling Futures Index.

  • 1Y returns: 69.62%
  • Expense ratio: 1.38%
  • Holdings: Primarily rolling forward contracts (commodities) and cash held for collateral
  • Investment type: Multi Alternative
Buy on Interactive Brokers

6 best Canadian ETFs by 1Y performance

As of March 2024, these are the 6 best ETFs on the TSX based on 1-year performance:

SymbolETF name1Y returnsManagement feeNet assets
HNDBetaPro Natural Gas Inverse Leveraged Daily Bear ETF69.62%1.15%77.85M
HMJIBetaPro Marijuana Companies Inverse ETF66.74%1.45%2.73M
HXXHorizons Europe 50 Index ETF31.54%0.17%93.38M
EBNKEvolve European Banks Enhanced Yield ETF28.18%0.60%3.28M
HREDBetaPro Equal Weight Canadian REIT 2x Daily Bear ETF26.20%1.15%10.24M
HYLD.UHamilton Enhanced U.S. Covered Call ETF26.09%2.08%15.27M
EBNK.BEvolve European Banks Enhanced Yield ETF24.76%0.60%4.38M

Best ETF in Canada: 5-year performance

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First Trust AlphaDEX U.S. Technology Sector Index ETF (FHQ)

The fund seeks to replicate the performance of the StrataQuant Technology Index by investing primarily in technology stocks included in the Russell 1000 Index.

  • 5Y returns: 24.06%
  • Expense ratio: 0.78%
  • Holdings: Stock investments in 100 technology companies
  • Investment type: Mid Cap Growth
Buy on Interactive Brokers

6 best Canadian ETFs by 5Y performance

As of March 2024, these are the 6 best ETFs on the TSX based on 5-year performance:

SymbolETF name5Y returnsManagement feeNet assets
FHQFirst Trust AlphaDEX U.S. Technology Sector Index ETF24.06%0.70%27.98M
XITiShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF19.83%0.55%572.52M
HQUBetaPro NASDAQ-100 2x Daily Bull ETF18.66%1.15%258.18M
HXQHorizons NASDAQ-100 Index ETF16.69%0.25%731.39M
FHHFT AlphaDEX U.S. Health Care Sector Index ETF16.26%0.70%11.14M
ZQQBMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged to CAD Index ETF16.24%0.35%1.52B

Best dividend ETF in Canada

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BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call ETF (ZWP)

The fund invests in European dividend stocks, aiming for income and long-term capital appreciation. Covered call options are used to hedge foreign currency risk.

  • 1Y returns: 22.05%
  • Yield: 6.62%
  • Expense ratio: 1.70%
  • Holdings: Stocks (92%)
  • Investment type: Large Cap Value
Buy on Interactive Brokers

6 best dividend ETFs in Canada

As of March 2024, these are the 6 best dividend ETFs on the TSX based on 1-year performance:

SymbolETF nameYieldManagement feeNet assets
ZWPBMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call ETF6.62%0.65%741.25M
ZDIBMO International Dividend ETF3.94%0.40%468.1M
RPDRBC Quant European Dividend Leaders ETF3.11%0.54%30.95M
RIDRBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders ETF3.59%0.54%97.92M
VIDYVanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Dividend Yield Index ETF4.39%0.28%90.67M
ZWEBMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF6.76%0.70%650.65M

Best REIT ETF in Canada

Upward trend chart

BetaPro Equal Weight Canadian REIT 2x Daily Bear ETF (HRED)

The fund aims to provide daily results corresponding with 2X (200%) the opposite of the Solactive Equal Weight Canada REIT Index.

  • 1Y returns: 26.20%
  • Expense ratio: 1.64%
  • Holdings: Primarily cash held for collateral (79%) and forward contracts (19.7%)
  • Investment type: Trading-Inverse Debt
Buy on Interactive Brokers

6 best REIT ETFs in Canada

As of March 2024, these are the 6 best real estate investment trust (REIT) ETFs on the TSX based on 1-year performance:

SymbolETF name1Y returnsManagement feeNet assets
HREDBetaPro Equal Weight Canadian REIT 2x Daily Bear ETF26.20%1.15%10.24M
VREVeris Residential-7.45%0.35%295.67M
XREiShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF-8.33%0.55%985.04M
CGRECI Global REIT Private Pool-11.71%0.70%82.13M
GIGR.BGuardian i3 Global REIT ETF Unhedged-11.86%0.88%2.11M
RITCI Canadian REIT ETF-12.86%0.75%565.98M

Best bond ETF in Canada

Upward trend chart

BMO Short-Term US TIPS Index ETF (ZTIP)

The fund seeks to replicate the Bloomberg US Government Inflation-Linked 0-5 Year Bond Index. Securities are US issued and have US$500+ million outstanding.

  • 1Y returns: 10.93%
  • Expense ratio: 0.17%
  • Holdings: Primarily US government bonds (99.2%)
  • Investment type: Short Term High Quality
Buy on Interactive Brokers

6 best bond ETFs in Canada

As of March 2024, these are the 6 best bond ETFs on the TSX based on 1-year performance:

SymbolETF name1Y returnsManagement feeNet assets
ZTIPBMO Short-Term US TIPS Index ETF10.93%0.15%25.7M
QEBLMackenzie Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Index ETF10.43%0.45%476.77M
ZUS.VBMO Ultra Short-Term US Bond ETF9.31%0.15%18.67M
ZST.LBMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF9.03%0.15%222.13M
ZCS.LBMO Short Corporate Bond Index ETF8.91%0.10%32.77M
HUFHorizons Active Ultra-Short Term US Investment Grade Bond ETF8.84%0.40%19.64M

ETF fees

There are 2 main ETF fees you should know about:

  • Trade fee. Most trading platforms charge a transaction fee every time you buy or sell an ETF. This is typically between $0 and $5.00.
  • Management expense ratio (MER). The annual cost of managing a fund expressed as a percentage of its assets. This typically ranges from 0.05% to 2.5%.

ETF fees for popular brokerages in Canada

PlatformETF trade fee

CIBC Investor's Edge

$6.95

Wealthsimple

Free

Questrade

Free

Interactive Brokers

Min. $1.00, Max. 0.5%

Qtrade Direct Investing

$0 - $8.75

National Bank Direct Brokerage

$0

Scotia iTRADE

$9.99 ($4.99 if completed 150 trades or more a quarter)

HSBC InvestDirect

$6.88

TD Direct Investing

$7.00 - $9.99

RBC Direct Investing

$9.95

BMO InvestorLine

$0 - $9.95

How to invest in an ETF

You can buy and sell ETF shares like stocks on the stock market through a fund manager or online trading platform. Here’s how it works:
  1. Compare investment platforms Compare platforms to find one that suits your investment needs.
  2. Open an account. Create an account by providing details such as your personal info, employment info and ID.
  3. Fund your account. Move funds into your account by bank transfer or wire transfer.
  4. Research ETFs. Log in to your account, and search for an ETF by ticker symbol (“HRED”).
  5. Buy now or later. Place a market order to buy at the current price, or place a limit order to buy when the price is more favourable.

Where to view ETF fund facts

Basic details about a fund can be found in its ETF Facts document (known in other countries as Key Investor Information Documents or KIIDs), which the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) requires fund managers to provide investors. The document breaks down key information including:

  • Quick facts
  • Trading information (stock exchange, ticker symbol, how ETFs are traded etc.)
  • Pricing information
  • Holdings
  • Distributions (dividends)
  • Risk level & who should invest
  • Performance over the past 10 years
  • Cost & fees
You can view all public filings related to ETFs and other regulated Canadian securities in the SEDAR database.

Buy the best ETFs with an online trading account

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Name Product Finder Rating Available Asset Types Stock Trading Fee Account Fee Signup Offer Table description
Interactive Brokers
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$0
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Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.

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