Now that you know what to look for when choosing ETFs, we’d like to help get you started. These sample portfolios offer different mixes of ETFs for all kinds f investors. If you’re starting out, we recommend the Classic or Global Coach Potato, but if you have some experience with ETFs you may want to try some of the more sophisticated strategies. We’ve listed the ticker symbols of a number of Canadian and American possibilities in each asset class. All of them are good choices, but you should do your own research to determine which might be best suited to your investment strategy.

Classic Couch Potato Canadian-listed ETF U.S.-listed ETF
Canadian equity 33.30% XIU, XIC, or CRQ —
U.S. equity 33.30% XSP or CLU VTI, IVV or SPY
Canadian bond 33.30% XBB —
Global Couch Potato
Canadian equity 20% XIU, XIC, or CRQ —
U.S. equity 20% XSP or CLU VTI, IVV, SPY
European/Pacific equity 20% XIN or CIE VEA, EFA
Canadian bond 40% XBB —
High-Yield Couch Potato
Canadian dividend 25% XDV or CDZ —
Canadian income trusts 25% XTR or XRE —
Global dividend 25% CYH DEW
Canadian preferred shares 25% CPD —
Conservative Couch Potato
Canadian equity 10% XIU —
Global equity 10% XWD VT
Canadian preferred shares 10% CPD —
Canadian real-return bond 20% XRB —
Canadian corporate bond 20% CBO or XCB —
Canadian government bond 30% CLF or XGB —
All-Dressed Couch Potato
Canadian equity 15% XIU, XIC, or CRQ —
U.S. equity 15% XSP or CLU VTI, IVV or SPY
European/Pacific equity 15% XIN or CIE VEA or EFA
Emerging markets equity 5% CBQ or XEM VWO or EEM
Real estate 5% XRE or CGR VNQ
Gold 5% CGL.UN or HUG GLD, IAU
Canadian corporate bond 20% CBO or XCB —
Canadian government bond 20% CLF or XGB —