Brunswick Exploration Unpacks 302-Metre Lithium Hit as Retail Traders Battle Over ValuationOct 15 Lux Metals Ignites James Bay with 17.57 g/t Gold Intercept Over 19.5 MetresOct 14 Mining Industry Veteran Michael Williams Appointed Executive Chairman of Canadian Uraniumlive
SPONSORED
Stocks

Gold, Groceries, and Global Dividends – Daniel Straus’s May 2025 ETF Buffet

Daniel Straus Reveals His Top ETF Picks Amid Market Volatility – Defensive Dividends, Domestic Staples, and Gold Hedging Strategies

•• 1 Min
Gold, Groceries, and Global Dividends – Daniel Straus’s May 2025 ETF Buffet

Daniel Straus, the managing director at National Bank Financial, is no stranger to navigating turbulent markets. As the global economy wavers under the weight of trade disputes and fluctuating economic policies, Straus has honed in on a trio of ETFs that he believes are strategically positioned to weather the storm. His top picks for May 8, 2025, reflect his nuanced perspective on defensive investments and targeted sector plays.

Amidst the recent tariff turmoil, exchange-traded funds have proven to be invaluable tools for investors seeking rapid portfolio repositioning. The Canadian ETF market experienced a surge in activity in early April 2025, with record volumes and inflows that underscored the growing demand for these versatile financial instruments. The first week of April alone saw Canadian ETFs attract a staggering $4.5 billion in inflows, a record-breaking figure for the year. Monday, April 7, 2025, went down in the books as the highest-volume trading day in Canadian ETF history, with $14.5 billion changing hands.

Vanguard FTSE Developed EX North America High Dividend ETF (VIDY TSX): Defensive Dividends Across Europe and Japan

Against this backdrop, Straus has identified three ETFs that stand out in the current market landscape. First on the list is the Vanguard FTSE Developed EX North America High Dividend ETF (VIDY TSX), a defensive play that capitalizes on high dividend-yielding assets across Europe and Japan. Despite facing relatively sluggish economic growth, the eurozone’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level in 25 years, and inflationary pressures have begun to ease. Japan, too, is expected to maintain stability despite the ongoing trade disputes. VIDY provides low-cost exposure to these regions, with a 20% allocation to Japan and 60% to western Europe, reinforcing its defensive stance with a dividend-focused strategy.

Global X Equal Weight Canadian Groceries & Staples Index ETF (MART TSX): The “Buy Canada” Play Amid Trade Turmoil

Next, Straus zeroes in on the Global X Equal Weight Canadian Groceries & Staples Index ETF (MART TSX). In a world increasingly dominated by trade and tariff disputes, the appeal of domestic investments has only grown stronger. MART offers concentrated exposure to Canada’s grocery and consumer staples sector, a niche that remains relatively insulated from the broader export-dependent economy. Comprising just five key holdings, MART’s focus on local consumer staples positions it as a defensive investment in uncertain times. Notably, Global X has waived the ETF’s management expense ratio of 0.25% until the end of 2025, further enhancing its appeal to cost-conscious investors.

CI Gold Bullion Fund Currency-hedged (VALT TSX): Gold’s Timeless Appeal as a Safe-Haven Asset

Rounding out Straus’s top picks is the CI Gold Bullion Fund Currency-hedged (VALT TSX). As market volatility persists, the allure of gold as a safe-haven asset has once again come to the forefront. VALT offers investors exposure to physical gold stored in London, coupled with a currency hedge designed to protect against fluctuations in the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar. With inflation fears lingering and the potential for further economic turbulence, gold remains a compelling asset for those seeking uncorrelated returns. However, investors should be aware that the currency-hedging strategy can work both ways, potentially eroding returns if the Canadian dollar strengthens.

As investors digest Straus’s insights and consider these ETF picks, it’s clear that his strategy is rooted in caution and defensiveness. In a market defined by uncertainty and rapid shifts, focusing on high-dividend international assets, domestic consumer staples, and gold hedges could provide the stability that many portfolios desperately need. Straus’s top picks for May 8, 2025, serve as a timely reminder that in times of market volatility, a well-structured ETF strategy can offer both protection and potential for growth.

More from Stocks

Most Popular News

  1. SpaceX’s $8B Spectrum Deal Sends AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile Plummeting
  2. Is Project Vault Securing America’s Supply Chain or Squeezing It to the Breaking Point?
  3. Why Gautam Lohia Shifted from Global Consulting to Reboot a $20M Tech Micro-Cap
  4. Everyday Luxury, Unstoppable Scale: Aritzia Delivers 44% Net Revenue Growth
  5. Can Navy SEAL Leadership and Big Tech Scale Revolutionize Airborne Threat Detection?

Disclaimer


This report should not be viewed as investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any securities or as an invitation or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities. Neither the author of this report, its publisher, nor any other person associated with the publication of this report, are registered brokers, investment dealers, investment advisers, or financial advisers. The information in this report has not been tailored to the particular needs or circumstances of readers and should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations to purchase or sell any of the securities presented in this report. Readers seeking investment advice should contact qualified and registered brokers, investment dealers, investment advisers, or financial advisers prior to making any decision to buy or sell any of the securities referred to in this report. The information in this report should not be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice. No recommendation is made as to whether an investment in the presented securities is suitable for any reader in light of the reader’s particular circumstances.

Readers are cautioned that the publisher of this report covers exclusively securities that carry a high degree of volatility. Investing in such securities is highly speculative and carries a high degree of risk. Investors in such securities could lose all or a substantial portion of their investment. Only those investors who can afford to lose all or a substantial portion of their investment should consider investing in the securities referred to in this report.

This report may include information obtained from publicly available sources, including third-party reports or analysis. Neither the author nor publisher of this report, nor www.juniorstocks.com or its owners, have undertaken any independent investigation into the factual information used in this report, and the information in this report is provided without any warranty of any kind. No representations or warranties are provided regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this report. Statements of opinion or belief are those of the authors and/or publisher of this report. These statements of opinion or belief are expressions of the author’s and/or publisher’s judgment, and there is no guarantee that those judgments will turn out to be correct. No inference should be drawn that the author and/or publisher have any special or greater knowledge about the presented companies or their securities, or any particular expertise in the industries or markets in which the company operates. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and seek professional advice prior to investing in any securities presented on Juniorstocks.com.

Certain statements in this report constitute “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements often, but not always, are identified by the use of words such as “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “targeting,” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions, or future events or performance; they are not statements of historical facts and should not be viewed as any guarantee of any future result. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. The author and/or publisher of this report disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. There is no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The information provided in this report is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation, or would subject the author or publisher of this report to any registration requirement in such jurisdiction or country.

Information about the editor of this publication:
Juniorstocks.com is a service provided by Piccadilly Capital Group, Office 66, 101 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7TB, UK. Piccadilly Capital Group is not the publisher of this report and was not paid for the publication of this report. Piccadilly Capital Group seeks to generate web traffic and a growing number of followers through the publication of articles or reports. Directors, officers, and other insiders of the publisher own an interest in Piccadilly Capital Group. Piccadilly Capital Group does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services, or securities of any company mentioned on www.juniorstocks.com. Piccadilly Capital Group will not share your information with any outside third parties. Due to the new data protection basic regulation, we ask you to read our data protection declaration carefully.

Note on copyright:
The contents published on this website and on connected media (e.g., e-mail, X, Facebook) are subject to applicable copyright and ancillary copyright laws. Any use not permitted by applicable copyright and ancillary copyright laws requires the prior written consent of the provider or the respective rights holder. In particular, this applies to the duplication, editing, translation, storage, processing, or reproduction of content in databases or other electronic media and systems. Contents and rights of third parties are marked as such. Unauthorized reproduction or transmission of individual contents or complete pages is not permitted and is punishable by law. Only the production of copies and downloads for personal, private, and non-commercial use is permitted. Links to the provider's website are always welcome and do not require the consent of the provider of the website. Photos and images on the website may not be shared unless the publisher itself has acquired the initial rights from authorized sources. The presentation of this website in external frames is only allowed with written permission. If you notice any violations, please inform us. Please note: The content of our articles, emails, or other publications or social networks such as X, LinkedIn or Facebook is exclusively intended for the designated addressee(s). If you are not the addressee of these articles, emails, or other publications in the market letter or social networks such as Twitter or Facebook or his or her legal representative, please note that any form of publication, reproduction, or distribution of the content of these articles, emails, or other publications in the market letter or social networks such as X, LinkedIn or Facebook is prohibited. Falsifications of the original content of this message during data transmission cannot be excluded in principle.