E312 – No Cuts, No Hikes. How Are ETFs Positioned?

Both the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve held rates steady last week — but the real story was in the details. In this episode, Saakshi Mehta and host, Zayla Saunders, unpack the messaging behind the holds, what the Fed's newleadership could mean for markets, and why a 60-20-20 portfolio approach is worth a closer look right now. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). She is joined by Saakshi Mehta, Vice President, ETF & Alternative Strategy at BMO GAM. This episode was recorded live on Monday, May4, 2026.

ETFs mentioned: · BMO Short Federal Bond Index ETF (Ticker: ZFS) · BMO Short-Term US TIPS Index ETF (Ticker: ZTIP)

Sources: ETF Flows, according to the National Bank Report, February 2026 Macro Notes - Fed and BoC on Hold

CPI: Consumer Price Index The Fed: The U.S. Federal Reserve Board Volatility: measures how much the price of a security, derivative, or index fluctuates. The most commonly used measure of volatility when it comes to investment funds isstandard deviation.

Disclaimers: Please visit for full disclaimers This podcast is for information purposes. The viewpoints expressed by the speakers represent their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance. Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors shouldcarefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent prospectus. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds. Please read the ETF Facts or prospectus of the BMO ETFs before investing. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. For a summary of the risks of an investment in the BMO ETFs, please see the specific risks set out in the BMO ETF’s prospectus. BMO ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination. BMO ETFs are managed by BMO Asset Management Inc., an investment fund manager, a portfolio manager, and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal. BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name under which BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. operate. “BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.