Canadian ETFs: October fund launches span active and alternative strategies

As earnings season begins for the third quarter of 2026, tech stocks dominated the headlines in October with about 80% of the S&P 500 companies beating estimates. Despite the positive reports, the markets experienced sharp declines as overall sentiment surrounding the AI spend shifts towards flight mode.

North American central banks took diverging paths on interest rates with Canada raising its policy rate by 25 basis points and the United States holding steady.

The top Canadian ETF performers for October were led by LongPoint Asset Management’s leveraged short strategies. The SavvyShort (-2X) COIN ETF (COID-T) led all listings with a 57.11% return for the month. The SavvyShort Geared Natural Gas ETF (GASD-T) trailed with 53.79% return on stock price alone. Rounding third was MegaShort (-3X) US Semiconductors Daily Leveraged Alternative ETF (SOXD-T) with 53.77% followed closely by spot Bitcoin and Ethereum funds as crypto markets rallied.

The best non-levered performers include the CI Galaxy Multi-Crypto Navigator ETF (USD units) (CMCX-U-T) (29.10%), BMO SPDR Energy Select Sector Index ETF (ZXLE-F-T) (12.17%), and Harvest Energy Leaders Income ETF (HPF-T) (11.99%).

Meanwhile, 37 new fund listings entered the Canadian marketplace in October, reflecting strong expansion across equities, fixed income, single-stock overlays, and alternative liquid strategies.

BMO ETFs

BMO Asset Management introduced three new offerings across international equities and fixed income. On the equity side, BMO launched the BMO MSCI Latin America GDP Weighted Index ETF (ZLAT-T). In fixed income, the firm added the BMO Core Bond ETF (ZCRB-T) and the BMO Emerging Markets Bond Fund (ZEMB-T).

BMO also expanded its structured income lineup with the debut of three single-stock autocallable ETFs on Cboe Canada. The suite includes the BMO Autocallable Income NVIDIA (NVDA) ETF (NVIA-NE), BMO Autocallable Income Palantir (PLTR) ETF (PLTA-NE), and BMO Autocallable Income Tesla (TSLA) ETF (TESA-NE). Built on an options-based framework, these strategies aim to deliver enhanced distribution yields while providing contingent downside protection on single-name technology growth leaders.

Global X ETFs

Global X Investments Canada Inc. led the month’s product creation with six new single-stock “PowerStock” listings targeting mega-cap technology and innovation leaders. The suite includes the Global X Apple PowerStock ETF (AAPP-T), Global X Alphabet PowerStock ETF (GOOP-T), Global X Amazon PowerStock ETF (AMZP-T), Global X NVIDIA PowerStock ETF (NVDP-T), Global X SpaceX PowerStock ETF (SPCP-T), and Global X Tesla PowerStock ETF (TSLP-T).

CI Global Asset Management

CI Global Asset Management expanded its alternative lineup in partnership with Forge First Asset Management, introducing four liquid alternative listings. The offerings feature the CI Forge First Conservative Alternative Fund in CAD (CCAF-T) and USD units (CCAF-U-T), alongside the CI Forge First Long Short Alternative Fund in CAD (CLSF-T) and USD units (CLSF-U-T). These funds uses alternative investment strategies, such as equity long/short, pairs trading, arbitrage trading, thematic trading, the use of derivatives for leverage and/or borrowing for investment purposes and seeks to achieve its objectives by investing primarily in equities, ETFs, fixed income and listed options in North American markets.

Brompton Funds

Brompton Funds launched two enhanced yield equity strategies designed to maximize cash flow: the Brompton Financials HighPay ETF (PAYB-T) and the Brompton Technology HighPay ETF (PAYT-T).

Scotia ETFs

Scotia Global Asset Management launched four Scotia Asset Allocation ETFs on the Cboe exchange. The Scotia Conservative ETF (SBCN-NE), Scotia Balanced ETF (SBBA-NE), Scotia Growth ETF (SBGR-NE), and Scotia All-Equity ETF (SBEQ-NE) are low-cost solutions with a range of asset mixes for different investor profiles.

NEI Investments

NEI Investments expanded its footprint with four new asset allocation and fixed income solutions. The manager introduced three multi-asset funds: the NEI Balanced ETF Portfolio (NEBP-T), NEI Conservative Income ETF Portfolio (NECP-T), and NEI Growth ETF Portfolio (NEGP-T). In fixed income, NEI launched the NEI Global Short-Term Bond Fund (NESB-T) to provide targeted short-duration international credit exposure.

Dynamic Funds

Dynamic Funds launched four new active and systematic strategies across global equities and yield overlays. The manager introduced three quantitative factor-driven funds: the Dynamic Systematic Canadian Equity ETF (DSCA-T), Dynamic Systematic International Equity ETF (DSIT-T), and Dynamic Systematic U.S. Equity ETF (DSAM-T). To address demand for high income in volatile markets, Dynamic also rolled out the Dynamic Premium Yield PLUS Fund across Canadian dollar (DPAY-T), U.S. dollar (DPAY-U-T), and CAD-hedged (DPAY-V-T) trading series.

Other Launches

BlackRock introduced the iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech ETF (XBAI-T), targeting global artificial intelligence infrastructure and technology adoption.

Ninepoint Partners expanded its active lineup with the launch of the Ninepoint American Growth Fund (NAGF-T), offering concentrated U.S. equity exposure. The fund will invest primaril y in large- and mid-cap U.S. companies in secular growth areas that include artificial intelligence, digital transformation, healthcare innovation, and consumer trends.

Lysander Funds introduced the Lysander-Triasima Canadian Equity Fund (LTCE-T). Sub-advised by Triasima Portfolio Management, the active strategy integrates quantitative, fundamental, and trend analysis to select high-conviction Canadian equities.

Mackenzie Investments added to its systematic factor platform with the listing of the Mackenzie Modus Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MMEM-T). Expanding upon its existing Modus suite, the fund employs quantitative multi-factor stock selection to deliver broad emerging market equity exposure.

Mulvihill Capital Management added to its fixed income offerings with the launch of the Mulvihill Corporate Bond Fund (CORP-T), targeting enhanced monthly income and capital preservation through an actively managed portfolio of corporate debt instruments.

Amy Mak is ETF Specialist at Inovestor.

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