Larry Berman CFA, CMT, CTAVanguard Balanced ETF PortfolioVBAL.TOCOMMENTMar 04, 2019

A good Vanguard ETF for bonds and stocks in a balanced portfolio? VBAL and VGRO. VBAL is more balacned, and VGRO. Now, be more conservative so choose VBAL, but VGRO is better for growth. They both track North American stocks.

VGRO-T vs. VBAL-T vs. VCNS-T. Would the three be enough for a retirement portfolio? VGRO-T is 80% equity, 20% bonds; VBAL-T is 60% equity, 40% bonds; and VCNS-T is 40% equity, 60% bonds. Don't hold them together. They hold the same thing at different proportions and equate to VBAL-T if all held equally. Move between them as market conditions dictate.

VGRO-T vs. VBAL-T vs. VCNS-T. They are the total solution portfolios. If you hold all of them your blended portfolio is the same as VBAL-T, (60/40). VCNS-T gives you much more protection from the equity markets. VGRO-T is for when you don't need protection.

For a static asset allocation this is a great solution. Not what he subscribes to. Risk changes over time. Not good if you think that markets aren’t efficient. He thinks they are not.

About 60% equities, 40% fixed income. Good conservative growth portfolio.

Combines 7 different ETFs. He loves what they have come out with. 22 basis points and better than robo-advising. His only problem is that these are way too overweight in Canada.

A conservative one. 60% equity, 40% bonds. For smaller accounts, RESPs. At 22 basis points of cost makes it competitive compared to robo-advisors.

He likes what they are trying to do with these new products. This is the traditional 60/40 balance. It has 22 basis points’ cost. For a passive investor he would give it a thumbs up.

Low, excellent MER. Best to put this into a TFSA, RRSP or LIRA for $40-100K. Would rather own a bank stock for 10 years than a 5-year bond. Go with an ETF that has less exposure to bonds and more in equities.