E229 – Understanding Buffer ETFs

BMO ETFs: Views from the Desk

Looking for a shock absorber for your portfolio? In this deep-dive episode, Portfolio Manager Chris McHaney, and your host, McKenzie Box, share how Buffer ETFs can mitigate losses—helping you stay invested during market uncertainty.

ETFs mentioned in the podcast:

• BMO US Equity Buffer Hedged to CAD ETF – October (Ticker: ZOCT)
• BMO US Equity Buffer Hedged to CAD ETF – January (Ticker: ZJAN)
• BMO US Equity Buffer Hedged to CAD ETF – April (Ticker: ZAPR)

The Magnificent Seven account for about 33% of the market cap of the S&P 500, according to Bloomberg, as of Wed, June 19, 2024.

Buffer ETFs in the U.S. have seen inflows of around $20 billion over the last two years, according to Nasdaq.

There is about US$68 billion invested in buffer ETFs in the United States, with about $8 billion in inflows in 2024 so far, according to Bloomberg, as of Wed, June 19, 2024.

Disclaimers:

The viewpoints expressed by the Portfolio Manager represent their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.

Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent prospectus.

An investor that purchases Units of a Structured Outcome ETF other than at starting NAV on the first day of a Target Outcome Period and/or sells Units of a Structured Outcome ETF prior to the end of a Target Outcome Period may experience results that are very different from the target outcomes sought by the Structured Outcome ETF for that Target Outcome Period. Both the cap and, where applicable, the buffer are fixed levels that are calculated in relation to the market price of the applicable Reference ETF and a Structured Outcome ETF’s NAV (as Structured herein) at the start of each Target Outcome Period. As the market price of the applicable Reference ETF and the Structured Outcome ETF’s NAV will change over the Target Outcome Period, an investor acquiring Units of a Structured Outcome ETF after the start of a Target Outcome Period will likely have a different return potential than an investor who purchased Units of a Structured Outcome ETF at the start of the Target Outcome Period. This is because while the cap and, as applicable, the buffer for the Target Outcome Period are fixed levels that remain constant throughout the Target Outcome Period, an investor purchasing Units of a Structured Outcome ETF at market value during the Target Outcome Period likely purchase Units of a Structured Outcome ETF at a market price that is different from the Structured Outcome ETF’s NAV at the start of the Target Outcome Period (i.e., the NAV that the cap and, as applicable, the buffer reference). In addition, the market price of the applicable Reference ETF is likely to be different from the price of that Reference ETF at the start of the Target Outcome Period. To achieve the intended target outcomes sought by a Structured Outcome ETF for a Target Outcome Period, an investor must hold Units of the Structured Outcome ETF for that entire Target Outcome Period.

“BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.