Portfolio Solutions
Our all-in-one multi-asset portfolio solutions deliver investment outcomes to meet your goals, whatever they may be.
Why invest in BMO Portfolio Solutions
Our portfolios give you one-ticket access to well-diversified multi-asset solutions, within the convenience of the mutual fund structure. They are actively managed by BMO’s Multi-Asset Solutions Team (MAST).
MAST recognizes that asset allocation is the primary driver of long-term performance1. They determine each portfolio’s strategic asset mix, with the flexibility to rebalance allocations tactically to reduce risk or exploit market opportunities. They implement these allocations by carefully choosing the underlying funds and their weights in the portfolio.
ETF Portfolios
The six risk-differentiated portfolios provide cost-effective broad-market exposure. Market research, ETF selection, asset allocation, portfolio monitoring and rebalancing are all taken care of.
Solutions to meet your long-term portfolio needs
ETF Portfolios
Managed Portfolios
Retirement Portfolios
Target Education Portfolios
Benefits of portfolio solutions
A solution for any need
We have portfolio suites to match a variety of investor needs and long-term goals. Or you can use one of our portfolios as a core investment in your larger strategy.
A team of professionals
Fund selection, asset allocation and ongoing monitoring and rebalancing – regularly performed by a team of professionals
Easy diversification
All-in-one portfolio of mutual funds and/or ETFs in a single fund, diversified by asset type and region
Risk / return optimization
The portfolio building process focuses on optimizing returns for any given level of portfolio risk.
Ease of access
Because they are run as mutual funds, you may access them from an initial investment of $500 and subsequent contributions of $50.
Available for registered investment plans (series dependent)
Your team of portfolio-building professionals
Get to know the BMO GAM Multi-Asset Solutions (MAST) Team
Steve Xu, CFA, FRM, CIPM
Steve has a decade of experience in the investment industry, and currently serves as a portfolio manager as part of the Multi-Asset Solutions team at BMO Global Asset Management. In addition to portfolio management responsibilities, he is responsible for generating macro investment ideas, analyzing portfolio strategies, and championing the fund of fund solutions. Steve holds an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. He is a CFA and CAIA charterholder. He has a number of industry credentials including Financial Risk Manager (FRM), Professional Risk Manager (PRM), and Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM).
Robert Armstrong, CFA, MBA, MSc.
Robert Armstrong has over two decades of experience in the investment industry. He currently serves as Portfolio Manager in BMO Global Asset Management’s Mult-Asset Solutions Team. He develops a strategic asset allocation outlook and tactical investment ideas, which he implements across a wide range of client portfolios. Robert has a diverse investment industry background and most recently held the position of Vice President, Head of Managed Solutions. Prior to BMO, he served in various investment director roles at an independent fund company. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from Laurentian University; and a Master of Science, International Securities, Investments and Banking, from University of Reading. He is a CFA charterholder. Robert is a strong advocate for the investor and is a frequent voice in the media and investment conferences
Marchello Holditch, CFA, CAIA
Marchello oversees BMO GAM’s multi-asset investment solutions. Previously, he held the role of Portfolio Manager at CI GAM. Prior to that, he worked at a major global consulting firm, where he assisted a wide variety of institutional clients with asset liability modeling and investment manager research. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics degree in actuarial science from the University of Waterloo and is a CFA charterholder.
Frederick Demers, MA
Before joining BMO GAM, Fred was Chief Macro Strategist for Canada at TD Securities since 2017. Prior to that, he was at Credit Suisse Asset Management in New York where he worked as a Portfolio Manager focused on systematic, global-macro trading strategies. Before moving to capital markets in 2008, Fred was a Principal Researcher at the Bank of Canada, building various short-term macro forecasting models for the Canadian economy and wrote several working papers documenting his empirical research. Fred also worked as a quantitative analyst at Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec where he built and managed systematic macro strategies. Fred holds a B.A. in Economics from Concordia University and M.A. in Economics from the University of Ottawa.
Steven Shepherd, CFA
Steve started his career in the investment industry in 1994, holding several senior roles in sales and product management before moving into the role of portfolio manager in 2013. He joined BMO in 2008, with primary responsibility for oversight of the selection and monitoring of internal and external fund managers, and asset allocation of the firm’s fund of fund solutions and other products. He is a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, and is a CFA charterholder.
Brittany Baumann
Brittany is Senior Analyst, Multi Asset Solutions, in the Toronto office. As part of the MAST team, Brittany focuses on developing capital markets views in collaboration with the global team and bringing greater depth to BMO’s research on Canadian capital markets. Before joining BMO GAM, Brittany was Macro Strategist at TD Securities in London and Toronto since 2016. Prior to that, she was at Crédit Agricole CIB in New York where she worked as Economist and FX Strategist focused on the U.S. and Canada. Brittany holds a B.A. in Economics from Georgetown University and Ph.D. in Economics from Boston University.
Sadiq S. Adatia, CFA, FSA, FCIA
As Chief Investment Officer, Sadiq S. Adatia manages the BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM) Investment Teams and sits on the BMO GAM Executive Committee. He is responsible for overall investment strategy and risk management across BMO GAM’s investment solutions. He oversees asset allocation, portfolio structure, trading, portfolio analytics and investment governance across all traditional asset classes. Sadiq joined BMO GAM in August 2021, bringing with him strong knowledge and expertise in managed solutions, risk management, derivatives and tactical asset allocation. Sadiq’s investment knowledge is widely sought after in the broader investment community by media outlets such as CNBC, BNN/Bloomberg and Reuters. Before joining BMO GAM, Sadiq was Chief Investment Officer at Sun Life Global Investments and Russell Investments Canada. Prior to that, he worked at Mercer as Business Leader for Investment Consulting for Central Canada. Sadiq holds an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics degree in Actuarial Science & Statistics from the University of Waterloo. He is also a CFA Charter holder and is a Fellow, both of the Society of Actuaries (Investment Specialty Track) and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
BMO Multi-Asset investment strategy - the Five Lenses process
MAST uses a multi-step process, referred to as the Five Lenses strategy, to define their long-term investment outlook.
The process begins with strategic asset allocation, based on long-term assumptions for expected returns, standard deviations and correlations of various asset classes. This establishes the team’s longer-term views (i.e., 4 to 5 years) which in turn informs the neutral asset mix for each portfolio’s risk-return profile.
As market conditions change, the team’s short-term views (i.e., 3 to 12 months) may differ substantially from their longer-term views. This is when MAST employs their tactical asset allocation decisions, which then forms part of their risk management framework.
First, they decide which asset class (equity, fixed income and/or cash) they want to have overweight or underweight allocations to within each portfolio’s asset mix.
Next, within both equities and fixed income, they decide whether to adjust geographic weightings or other exposures (for e.g., high yield vs. corporate bonds). This is then followed by a decision on whether there are certain styles or factors that also need to be adjusted.
The process concludes with the implementation of these changes – by adjusting the weighting of current holdings in underlying mutual funds, ETFs, and/or alternative investment products, through the sale of existing holdings or purchase of new holdings.
Lens 1
- Equities
- Fixed Income
- Cash
Lens 2
Asset Class – Equity
- Regional Equities:
- Canada
- U.S.A.
- EAFE
- Emerging Markets
- Alternative Investments
Lens 3
Asset Class – Fixed Income
- Duration
- Investment Grade Credit
- High Yield
- Emerging Market Debt
- Alternative Investments
Lens 4
Style/Factor
- Value
- Momentum
- Volatility
- Growth
- Quality
- Size
- Yield
Lens 5
Implementation
- Active vs. Passive
- Derivatives
- Currency Selection
Documents
Start investing with us
Financial advisors, please contact your regional wholesalers, or call us on 1-800-668-7327
If you are an investor, please speak to your financial advisor about including one or more of our mutual funds in your portfolio.
Portfolio solutions FAQs
Managed portfolio solutions are a subset of mutual funds. Instead of investing directly in stocks and bonds, etc, the portfolio ‘wraps’ a mix of other mutual funds and/or ETFs into a single solution. The stock or bond picking decisions are left up to the underlying mutual fund manager. The portfolio manager makes asset allocation, fund trade and rebalancing decisions, to take advantage of market trends or protect against undue risks.
Portfolio solutions are a subset of mutual funds. Single-manager mutual funds invest directly in the stock and bond markets. Portfolio solutions, while still available in a mutual fund format, invest in other mutual funds and/or ETFs. They provide greater diversification and regular rebalancing.
The cost of owning a fund is known as the Management Expense Ratio (MER) and includes all the costs of running the fund. MER includes the management fee, operating expenses and applicable taxes. The MER varies by fund and by series.
Each fund may also be subject to a Trading Expense Ratio (TER). The TER represents the costs each fund spends on brokerage commissions for buying and selling the underlying investments.
The MER and TER for each fund at the series level can be found on the most recently filed fund facts.
You may choose to purchase one of our BMO portfolio solutions through a Financial Advisor. A Financial Advisor is a person who is a representative of a Dealer, is registered with the securities authorities, handles the public’s orders to buy and sell securities and usually charges a commission for that service.
Any investment comes with risk. Before you buy a mutual fund or a portfolio solution, you should make sure that it matches your goals and risk tolerance. There are more conservative portfolios that try to minimize risk, growth-focussed mutual funds that try to maximize your return and a variety of different options in between.
Portfolio solutions are often considered safer than other investments because instead of only being tied to one asset (like a specific stock) they contain a pool of different investments. This is called diversification of risk.
Disclaimers
- Source: Brinson, Singer & Beebower, Financial Analyst Journal, 1991
BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name under which BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. operate. Certain of the products and services offered under the brand name, BMO Global Asset Management, are designed specifically for various categories of investors in Canada and may not be available to all investors. Products and services are only offered to investors in Canada in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses (if applicable) all may be associated with mutual fund investments and the use of an asset allocation service. Please read the fund facts or prospectus of the mutual funds in which investment may be made before investing, including mutual fund investments under an asset allocation service. In case of BMO Money Market Fund note that mutual fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurances that the Fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.
For a summary of the risks of an investment in BMO Mutual Funds, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus.
BMO Mutual Funds are managed by BMO Investments Inc., which is an investment fund manager and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.
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