Broad based ETF or Wealthsimple managed portfolio

Hi Dan,

What’s your POV on allocating to a broad based ETF like FEQT/XEQT or a Wealthsimple managed portfolio allocation (stocks, bonds, gold etc)?

For context, this would be for cash accumulating inside a corporate account, beyond what’s needed for operating expenses and taxes.

Thank you!

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Asked on January 16, 2026 11:48 am

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My wife had a managed portfolio at WS. When I check the activity tab in her account I saw that they buy, sell and change funds a lot.. And also, they buy US stocks like VTI... In a TFSA... There is not point unless they do it to get the 1.5% fx fee... So in a corporation there would be a lot of realized capital gains for nothing if it works the same way as in a TFSA for the WS managed portfolio.

Frankly, in a corporation, I would do a *eqt or something like it and don't bother with

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Posted by malabelle@me.com

Answered on January 18, 2026 6:47 pm

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Thanks Dan - for context it would be ~150K with regular contributions, at 0.4% with WS.

What is your preference between XGRO,FEQT & XEQT?

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Posted by Anonymous

Answered on January 18, 2026 11:44 am

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Those a 3 completely different funds. Take the time to check the holdings of FEQT. It is actively managed and factor based. There are also 3% bitcoin. Also it charges 0.43% for it and some underlying funds like FCGS are over 1.1%... Xgro is XEQT with 20% bonds.

(malabelle@me.com at January 18, 2026 7:26 pm)

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I am always going to prefer a low cost index/all in one fund over a managed portfolio with higher fees.

However, Wealthsimple's fees are fairly cheap. You're not getting hosed here if you went that route.

Depending on the amount of money you have, Wealthsimple does compete fee wise with the all in one funds. But, you'd need quite a bit of cash.

I always like to be in control. If wealthsimple is going to charge me 50 basis points to build me a 60/30/10 portfolio of equity, fixed income, gold for example, I'd rather just buy 90% XGRO and 10% gold and pay 20 basis points.

Just an example, but I imagine you get my point!

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Posted by Dan Kent

Answered on January 18, 2026 11:28 am

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