Want to Protect Your Capital? 3 Low-Volatility ETFs to Buy Now

If you’re a risk-averse investor that’s worried about the recent volatility, here are three of the lowest-volatility and best ETFs to buy now.

| More on:

Lately, there has been a tonne of volatility. Many stocks have been selling off, and trading days have been wild, as investors rebalance their portfolios. So, if you’re a risk-averse investor, it’s crucial to find the best ETFs to buy now.

Some of the most impacted stocks have been higher-risk growth stocks. In contrast, high-quality large caps with established businesses have fared much better.

Low-volatility stocks are excellent investments for several reasons. First off, these companies are some of the highest quality and most established businesses. That means you can have confidence owning them for years and won’t have to worry about selling them.

They should earn strong cash flow for years, and most will pay excellent dividends. Because of all these qualities, few investors want to sell them, especially when markets are correcting. And because few investors are selling these stocks, they don’t fall in price with the rest of the market, which, consequently, makes more investors want to own these stocks.

So, if you’re looking to add low-volatility investments to your portfolio, here are three of the best ETFs to buy.

One of the best ETFs to buy now

If you’re concerned about the recent volatility in markets and want to protect your capital, one of the best ETFs to buy now is BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (TSX:ZLB).

The ZLB is low cost, offers a distribution yield of 2.5% and has $3 billion in assets, making it a highly liquid investment. The fund offers exposure to well-known Canadian stocks in the financial services, utilities, and consumer staples sectors, specifically.

This allows it to offer an exceptionally safe distribution and keeps the fund from seeing much volatility, even when the market is selling off. So, if you’re a risk-averse investor that’s concerned with the volatility lately, the ZLB is one of the best ETFs to buy now.

Similarly, if you’re an investor that likes to have exposure to the American markets, a very similar ETF but one that holds American companies is BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD) (TSX:ZLU). As you can imagine, the ZLU is quite similar to the ZLB. However, one noticeable difference is that its current yield is just 1.8%.

However, much like the ZLB, it’s still an excellent way to invest in the stock market while buying the highest-quality companies that can protect your capital.

A top Canadian Dividend Aristocrats ETF

Another option investors could consider is an ETF that offers exposure to the highest-quality companies in Canada, such as iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF (TSX:CDZ).

Canadian Dividend Aristocrats are high-quality companies with established operations that are not just consistently paying out their dividends, but they are consistently increasing them each year, too.

So, on top of the fact that these are excellent stocks to own for years, you know they are highly reliable and safe businesses if they can continue to pay out more cash to investors each year.

Plus, like the ZLB, in addition to being a low-volatility investment, it also offers an attractive yield of more than 3.1%. So, if you’re looking to protect your capital, the CDZ is certainly one of the best ETFs to buy now.

Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Stocks for Beginners

a person watches stock market trades
Stocks for Beginners

Why Smart Canadian Investors Are Watching These 3 Stocks Right Now

These three TSX names are on investors’ watchlists because each has a real catalyst, real growth, and just enough proof…

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Dividend Stocks Whose Passive Income Just Keeps Climbing

Here's a group of Canadian dividend stocks investors can look to buying on dips for growing passive income.

Read more »

real estate and REITs can be good investments for Canadians
Dividend Stocks

2 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy if Rates Stay Higher for Longer

These two high-yield TSX lenders look built for “higher-for-longer” rates, with dividends supported by earnings and loans that can reprice.

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Dividend Stocks

3 Ultra-High-Yield Dividend Stocks I’m Still Buying

These three TSX high-yielders try to back up their payouts with real cash flow, not just a flashy headline yield.

Read more »

gold prices rise and fall
Dividend Stocks

The TSX Just Sent a Signal: Here Are 3 Stocks to Buy Now

The TSX is perking up again, and these three stocks look positioned for upside with real assets, earnings momentum, and…

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

How to Make $300 Per Month Tax-Free From Your TFSA

Learn how to make $300 per month tax-free in your TFSA using three dependable TSX dividend stocks that deliver consistent…

Read more »

top TSX stocks to buy
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Dividend Stocks to Own if Markets Stay Choppy

When the TSX is whipping around, these three dividend stocks offer steadier cash flow and everyday demand instead of headline-driven…

Read more »

The RRSP (Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan) is a smart way to save and invest for the future
Dividend Stocks

How Much a Typical 45-Year-Old Has in TFSA and RRSP Accounts

If you feel behind at 45, the averages show you’re not alone, and a steady, infrastructure-focused compounder like WSP could…

Read more »