Let’s face it: stock-picking isn’t for everybody. Even seasoned buyers more and more depend on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to simplify their portfolios, scale back threat, and unencumber time. In 2026, with markets nonetheless formed by international uncertainty, proudly owning the suitable ETFs may be one of many smartest strikes you make.
Listed here are three Canadian ETFs I’d significantly take into account including to a long-term portfolio proper now.
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Acquire publicity to the core Canadian market
iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (TSX:XIU) stays probably the most dependable methods to achieve publicity to Canada’s largest and most established corporations. It tracks roughly 60 blue-chip shares and presents a simple strategy to take part within the home economic system.
What makes XIU a great candidate to think about in 2026 is it supplies quick diversification throughout the Canadian market. With a low administration expense ratio (MER) of 0.18% and a yield round 2.2%, it supplies cost-efficient entry to dividend-paying giants. Its high holdings embrace Royal Financial institution of Canada (8.7% of the fund), Toronto-Dominion Financial institution (6.2%), Shopify (5.1%), Enbridge (4.1%), and Agnico Eagle Mines (3.9%) — a mixture of monetary energy and progress potential.
Sure, it’s closely weighted towards financials (38.6% of the fund), power (17.6%), and supplies (15.3%), however that’s not essentially a downside. These sectors appear to proceed to profit from the present macro atmosphere. For buyers looking for a reliable Canadian core holding, XIU nonetheless earns its place.
World diversification with out the trouble
In case you’re overly concentrated in Canada — as many Canadian buyers are — iShares Core MSCI All Nation World ex Canada Index ETF (TSX:XAW) presents a straightforward repair.
XAW supplies publicity to 1000’s of corporations throughout the U.S., Europe, and rising markets — multi function ETF. With a modest MER of 0.22%, it’s an economical strategy to entry international progress tendencies, particularly in know-how (26.5% of the fund), industrials (12.7%), and shopper discretionary (9.8%).
This issues greater than ever. Canada’s market is comparatively small and closely tilted towards just a few sectors. XAW balances that out with vital publicity to international innovators and market leaders that merely aren’t out there domestically.
Its historic returns — over 10% yearly since its inception in 2015 — spotlight the ability of diversification. Extra importantly, it reduces your reliance on any single economic system, which is vital in an unpredictable international atmosphere.
One-stop progress for long-term buyers
For buyers who need most simplicity with out sacrificing progress, they may like iShares Core Fairness ETF Portfolio (TSX:XEQT).
XEQT is an all-equity, globally diversified ETF that routinely allocates throughout areas: roughly 45% U.S., 25% Canada, 25% worldwide developed markets, and 5% rising markets. In different phrases, it offers you instantaneous publicity to the world’s progress engines in a single buy.
With a low MER of 0.20% and robust historic efficiency with a compound annual progress fee of 13.3% since its 2019 launch, XEQT is constructed for long-term buyers who can abdomen market volatility. Its yield is modest at round 0.9%, however that’s as a result of the main target right here is capital progress — not revenue.
For youthful buyers or anybody constructing wealth over a long time, XEQT presents a compelling “set-it-and-forget-it” answer.
Investor takeaway
In 2026, profitable investing doesn’t must imply selecting particular person winners. The correct ETFs can ship diversification, stable returns, and peace of thoughts. XIU supplies a secure Canadian basis, XAW unlocks international alternatives, and XEQT presents an all-in-one progress engine. Collectively — and even individually — these ETFs can kind the spine of a resilient, long-term portfolio. The concept is to dollar-cost common into your chosen core long-term ETFs over time to construct long-term wealth.
