Are you looking for the best ETF in Canada to diversify your investments? We rounded up the five best Canadian ETFs based on performance, dividends and focus. From funds that perform well in the medium and long run to the best dividend, REIT and bond funds, these are the high-performing ETFs to watch on the TSX.
If you’re ready to invest, check out ETF fees for brokerages like Wealthsimple, TD Direct Investing, Questrade, RBC Direct Investing and more.
The Fidelity Advantage Bitcoin ETF has yielded an impressive 141.24% return over the past year. The fund has net assets worth over $683 million and has a modest expense ratio of 0.40%. It’s designed for high-risk investors who want long-term capital growth from Bitcoin investments. The professionally managed fund invests directly in Bitcoin, the price of which soared over $100,000 in December 2024.
These are the five top Canadian ETFs on the TSX based on one-year performance:
Symbol
ETF name
1Y returns
Management fee
Net assets
FBTC
Fidelity Advantage Bitcoin ETF
141.24%
0.40%
683.69M
BTCX.B
CI Galaxy Bitcoin ETF C$ Unhedged
140.00%
0.40%
1.13B
EBIT
Evolve Bitcoin ETF
139.48%
0.75%
296.87M
BTCC.B
Purpose Bitcoin CAD ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units
137.94%
1.00%
1.88B
BTCQ
3iQ Bitcoin ETF
137.56%
1.00%
477.67M
Best ETF in Canada: 5-year performance
Global X Uranium Index ETF (HURA)
The Global X Uranium Index ETF has yielded a solid 34.90% return over the past 5 years. The high-risk fund aims to replicate the Solactive Global Uranium Pure-Play Index, which tracks businesses around the world that impact the price of uranium or that are involved in uranium exploration and mining. The management expense ratio is 0.99%, and total net assets are over $83 million.
These are the five top Canadian ETFs on the TSX based on five-year performance:
Symbol
ETF name
5Y returns
Management fee
Net assets
HURA
Global X Uranium Index ETF
34.90%
0.75%
83.51M
HBGD
Horizons Big Data & Hardware Index ETF
31.43%
0.45%
19.38M
HBGD.U
Global X Big Data & Hardware Index ETF
29.05%
0.45%
14.13M
HBLK
Blockchain Technologies ETF
27.97%
0.65%
27.99M
HQU
BetaPro NASDAQ-100 2x Daily Bull ETF
26.22%
1.15%
394.11M
Best dividend ETF in Canada
Middlefield Innovation Dividend ETF (MINN)
The Middlefield Innovation Dividend ETF has yielded a 55.88% return over the past 12 months. The fund aims to provide long-term returns by investing in global dividend-paying companies that develop and market products and services related to artificial intelligence, cloud computing, online advertising, software and e-commerce. It holds net assets of more than $133 million and has a management fee of 1.56%.
These are the five best dividend ETFs on the TSX based on one-year performance:
Symbol
ETF name
Yield
Management fee
Net assets
MINN
Middlefield Innovation Dividend ETF
1.66%
1.56%
133.54M
MUSA
Middlefield U.S. Equity Dividend ETF
2.41%
2.19%
52.87M
TUED
TD Active U.S. Enhanced Dividend ETF
1.92%
0.65%
354.77M
MDIV
Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF
3.74%
1.31%
75.25M
TGED
TD Active Global Enhanced Dividend ETF
2.76%
0.65%
619.45M
Best REIT ETF in Canada
Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF (VRE)
The Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF has yielded a modest 5.99% return over the past year. The fund aims to track a broad Canadian real estate index like the FTSE Canada All Cap Real Estate Capped 25% Index. It’s suitable for medium-risk investors who are looking for regular monthly income and long-term growth. VRE holds net assets of more than $275 million and has a management fee of 0.35%.
The real estate investment trust (REIT) industry dipped in 2024, with the S&P/TSX Capped REIT index yielding a -9.17% return year to date and a -9.32% return over the past 12 months. These are the five best REIT ETFs on the TSX based on one-year performance:
Symbol
ETF name
1Y returns
Management fee
Net assets
VRE
Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF
5.99%
0.35%
275.48M
HCRE
Global X Equal Weight Canadian REITs Index Corporate Class ETF
3.30%
0.30%
48.37M
CGRE
CI Global REIT Private Pool
2.93%
0.70%
60.32M
HGR
Harvest Global REIT Leaders Income ETF
2.75%
0.85%
16.15M
ZRE
BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF
2.13%
0.55%
529.77M
Best bond ETF in Canada
CIBC Core Plus Fixed Income Pool (CPLS)
The CIBC Core Plus Fixed Income Pool has yielded an incredibly strong 101.10% return over the past year. The fund’s net assets are only worth around $4.5 million, and it has a 0.30% expense ratio. CPLS aims to provide regular income and modest long-term capital appreciation by investing mostly mutual funds that hold fixed income securities, including corporate bonds, government bonds, cash (and equivalents) and securitized bonds.
Our selection of top picks is based on the same criteria as our annual Stock Trading Platform Awards. This is updated yearly to reflect changes in the market.
"Best for" picks are those we've evaluated to be best for specific product features or categories – you can read our full methodology here. If we show a "Promoted" pick, it's been chosen from among our commercial partners and is based on factors that include special features or offers, and the commission we receive.
This isn't an exhaustive list of all the trading platforms out there. What's best for you depends on your own investing strategy, budget and financial goals.
Key takeaways
You need to open and transfer funds into an investment account to buy Canadian ETFs.
View management fees, risk level, performance data and other details for a particular fund in its ETF Facts document.
In Canada, investment platforms typically charge $0 to $10 per ETF trade.
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:
Compare investment platforms.Compare platforms to find one that suits your investment needs.
Open an account. Create an account by providing details such as your personal info, employment info and ID.
Fund your account. Move funds into your account by bank transfer or wire transfer.
Research ETFs. Log in to your account, and search for an ETF by ticker symbol (“MINN”).
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.
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.
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%.
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.
Kylie Purcell is the senior investments editor at Finder. She has a background in business and finance news with previous roles at SBS, Your Money, TVNZ, Switzer Group and The Adviser magazine. Kylie has a Masters in International Journalism and a Graduate Diploma in Economics. When she's not writing about the markets you can find her bingeing on coffee.
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Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio
Find out how to invest in the S&P 500 in Canada—one of the world’s most popular stock indices—to diversify your portfolio.
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