Recommendations

Stock Screener

Beginner Basics is a plain-language starting shelf of broad index funds; Likely Gainers highlights stocks trading low but financially strong; and Sector Bottlenecks ranks companies tied to major sector constraints. These are rule-based and transparent — this is education and risk analysis, not financial advice.

New to investing? Start here

Common starting points beginners often consider — not a recommendation to buy any specific fund. The same shelf is shown to everyone.

Broad Canadian market index ETFs

A single holding that owns a slice of almost the entire Canadian stock market.

XIC MER 0.06%

iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF

What it is
One fund that holds almost every major company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Who it's for
Beginners who want broad, low-cost exposure to Canada's stock market in one holding.
Tracks
S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index — broad Canadian equity
VCN MER 0.05%

Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF

What it is
One fund covering large, medium, and small Canadian companies across the market.
Who it's for
Beginners who want the whole Canadian market, including smaller companies, in one holding.
Tracks
FTSE Canada All Cap Index — large-, mid-, and small-cap Canadian equity

US market index ETFs (Canadian-listed)

Own the biggest US companies through a Canadian-listed, Canadian-dollar fund — no US-dollar account needed.

VFV MER 0.09%

Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF

What it is
One fund that holds the 500 largest companies in the United States.
Who it's for
Beginners who want exposure to the big US market in one Canadian-listed holding.
Tracks
S&P 500 — 500 of the largest US companies (unhedged to CAD)
QQC MER 0.21%

Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index ETF

What it is
One fund that holds the 100 largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq — technology-heavy.
Who it's for
Beginners who want concentrated exposure to large US technology and growth companies.
Tracks
Nasdaq-100 — 100 largest non-financial Nasdaq companies (unhedged to CAD)

All-in-one asset-allocation ETFs

A single ticker that is itself a complete, globally diversified portfolio of stocks (and bonds), rebalanced for you. Pick the risk level that fits.

VCNS MER 0.24%

Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio

What it is
A single fund holding a mostly-bond, globally diversified portfolio.
Who it's for
Beginners who prefer smaller swings and prioritise stability over growth.
Tracks
Globally diversified — about 40% stocks / 60% bonds (conservative)
VBAL MER 0.24%

Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio

What it is
A single fund holding a roughly even split of global stocks and bonds.
Who it's for
Beginners who want a middle-of-the-road mix of growth and stability.
Tracks
Globally diversified — about 60% stocks / 40% bonds (balanced)
VGRO MER 0.24%

Vanguard Growth ETF Portfolio

What it is
A single fund holding a mostly-stock, globally diversified portfolio.
Who it's for
Beginners with a long time horizon who can sit through bigger ups and downs.
Tracks
Globally diversified — about 80% stocks / 20% bonds (growth)
VEQT MER 0.24%

Vanguard All-Equity ETF Portfolio

What it is
A single fund holding stocks from Canada, the US, and around the world — no bonds.
Who it's for
Beginners comfortable with an all-stock, long-horizon portfolio who want one decision.
Tracks
Globally diversified — about 100% stocks (all-equity)

Fees (MERs) shown are as of June 2026 and can change — confirm the current figure with the fund provider.

This is educational information, not financial advice. We are not your financial advisor — do your own research, and consider speaking with a licensed professional before investing.