Market month: Fund news and updates

Fund news from BMO, CIBC, TD, Canada Life, RBC, plus SIMA statistics

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Fund news

BMO launches new asset-backed securities ETF

BMO Asset Management Inc. on Aug. 27 announced the launch of a new asset-backed securities ETF.

BMO Asset-Backed Securities ETF (TSX: ZABS) aims to provide income while at the same time preserving capital by investing, directly or indirectly, primarily in a diversified portfolio of asset-backed securities ("ABS"). ABS are debt securities that entitle their holders to payments that depend primarily on the assets underlying the securities.

The BMO ETF may invest in ABS of any kind, including but not limited to consumer and commercial ABS, collateralized loan obligations and commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities. In respect of the Hedged Units, the BMO ETF will also invest in or use derivative instruments to seek to hedge foreign currency exposure.

Also available in hedged units (TSX: ZABS.F) and USD units (TSX: ZABS.U).

CIBC announces new Avantis ETFs

CIBC Global Asset Management (CIBC GAM) on Aug. 27 announced the launch of three new Avantis CIBC ETFs:

• Avantis CIBC Balanced Asset Allocation ETF (TSX: CAKE).
• Avantis CIBC Growth Asset Allocation ETF (TSX: CAGR).
• Avantis CIBC World Equity ETF (TSX: CAGX).

Developed in collaboration with Avantis Investors, an investment offering from American Century Investments Inc., the ETFs aim to provide broad market exposure, disciplined active oversight, and convenient access through simple core portfolio solutions.

SIMA releases June fund industry statistics

The Securities and Investment Management Association (SIMA) on Aug. 24 announced investment fund net sales and net assets for July 2026.

Mutual fund assets totalled $2.769 trillion at the end of July, down by $12.5 billion, or 0.5%, since June. Mutual fund net sales were $6.4 billion in July.

ETF assets totalled $896.6 billion at the end of July, up by $13.4 billion, or 1.5%, since June. ETF net sales were $18.3 billion in July.

July insights

• Mutual fund assets declined for the first time in three months as market losses offset relatively strong inflows.
• ETF assets rose as strong inflows compensated for market weakness.
• Mutual funds saw their highest monthly net sales since February. More than 70% of July’s inflows went into bond funds.
• ETF net sales remained robust, recording the fourth-highest monthly total on record.

Visit the SIMA website to view the full report.

TD expands target date bond ETF lineup

TD Asset Management Inc. on Aug. 18 announced the launch of a new target date bond ETF series.

TD Target 2031 Investment Grade Bond Fund - ETF Series (TSX: TBCK) offers exposure to a portfolio of investment-grade Canadian corporate bonds denominated in Canadian dollars with a target maturity of 2031, supporting investors seeking a defined investment horizon.

Canada Life fund name changes

Canada Life Investment Management Ltd. on Aug. 17 announced a series of name changes to select mutual funds across its Counsel Portfolios and Canada Life Mutual Funds shelf.

Counsel ETF Portfolios Changes

Effective Aug. 17, 2026, all of the Counsel Essentials Portfolios are renamed the Counsel ETF Portfolios to better reflect their investment strategies and underlying investments.

• Counsel Conservative Income Portfolio renamed Counsel Income ETF Portfolio
• Counsel Essentials Income Portfolio renamed Counsel Conservative ETF Portfolio
• Counsel Essentials Balanced Portfolio renamed Counsel Balanced ETF Portfolio
• Counsel Essentials Growth Portfolio renamed Counsel Growth ETF Portfolio

Effective on or about Sept. 21, two existing Canada Life Mutual Funds will be renamed as Canada Life Visio Pools. As a result, the impacted Funds will undergo the following changes:

• Canada Life Global Equity and Income Fund will be renamed Canada Life Visio Global Balanced Pool.
• Canada Life Global Balanced Fund will be renamed Canada Life Visio Global Growth Pool.

RBC expands ETF lineup

The RBC iShares alliance on Aug. 12 expanded is fixed income lineup with the launch of three new ETF Series of RBC Funds.

RBC Emerging Markets Bond Fund – ETF Series (CBOE CAN: REMB) aims to provide total returns comprised of interest income and capital growth by investing primarily in government debt securities of emerging market countries.

RBC Global Corporate Bond Fund – ETF Series – (CBOE CAN: RGCB) seeks a high level of interest income with the potential for modest capital growth by investing primarily in investment-grade corporate debt securities from anywhere in the world.

RBC High Yield Bond Fund – ETF Series – (CBOE CAN: RHYB) targets a high level of income with the potential for modest capital growth by investing primarily in higher-yielding corporate debt securities issued by Canadian and U.S. corporations.

Disclaimer

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The foregoing is for general information purposes only and is the opinion of the writer. No guarantee of investment performance is made or implied. It is not intended to provide specific personalized advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting or tax advice.

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