10 Best Mutual Funds in Canada for 2023

Mutual funds are a familiar choice for many Canadian investors, offering a straightforward way to diversify their portfolios. With over 5,000 mutual funds in Canada, selecting the right one can be a daunting task. This list of the top 10 mutual funds in Canada for 2023 serves as a starting point to navigate the Canadian mutual fund landscape.

1. RBC Canadian Equity Income Fund F Series

  • Fund Code: RBF646
  • Inception Date: August 28, 2006
  • Fund Type: Large-Cap Canadian Stocks
  • Net Assets Invested: $3.15 billion
  • Management Expense Ratio (MER): 0.76%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 8.6%
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Key Highlights: This popular all-equity mutual fund from RBC focuses on large-cap, high-dividend Canadian stocks, offering monthly distributions with a 4.1% yield. Top holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto Dominion Bank, and Enbridge Inc.

2. Canoe Global Equity Fund Series F

  • Fund Code: GOC1043
  • Inception Date: November 2011
  • Fund Type: Global Equities
  • Net Assets Invested: $938 million
  • Management Expense Ratio (MER): 1.25%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 13.4%
  • Risk Level: Moderate
  • Key Highlights: Managed by Canoe Financial, this fund offers global exposure with 70.1% allocated to US-listed stocks. Top holdings include Microsoft, Mastercard, and Nestle SA.

3. Mackenzie Canadian Equity F Series

  • Fund Code: MFC1453
  • Inception Date: May 15, 2006
  • Fund Type: Equities
  • Net Assets Invested: $568 million
  • MER: 0.99%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 9.0%
  • Risk Level: Moderate
  • Key Highlights: Mackenzie Investments’ offering focuses on large-cap Canadian equities, with a 31.2% sector allocation to financial stocks and Royal Bank and Toronto Dominion as top holdings.

4. RBC Canadian Dividend Fund A

  • Fund Code: RBF266
  • Inception Date:January 31, 1993
  • Fund Type: Canadian Dividend Equities
  • Net Assets Invested: $19.5 billion
  • MER: 1.76%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 7.7%
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Key Highlights: Known for its strong distributions and focus on dividend-paying stocks, this RBC mutual fund offers a 3.8% distribution yield, paying out quarterly.

5. NBI Global Equity Fund Series F

  • Fund Code: NBC767 F
  • Inception Date:December 24, 2013
  • Fund Type: Global Equities
  • Net Assets Invested: $1.69 billion
  • MER: 1.11%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 13.01%
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Key Highlights: National Bank Investments’ fund offers exposure to global equities, with strong 5-year returns and a focus on sectors like consumer goods and technology.

6. Invesco Select Balanced Fund F Series

  • Fund Code: AIM1577
  • Inception Date: February 11, 2000
  • Fund Type: Balanced Portfolio
  • Net Assets Invested: $596 million
  • MER: 0.88%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 7.96%
  • Risk Level: Low to Medium
  • Key Highlights: This balanced mutual fund includes both corporate and government bonds, providing stability in an all-in-one portfolio.

7. TD Canadian Bond Fund A

  • Fund Code: TDB306
  • Inception Date: October 31, 2000
  • Fund Type: Canadian Bonds
  • Net Assets Invested: $5.92 billion
  • MER: 1.11%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 0.92%
  • Risk Level: Low
  • Key Highlights: A fixed-income choice, this fund primarily holds domestic Canadian bonds, providing steady monthly distributions.

8. Mackenzie US Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund F

  • Fund Code: MFC8625.CF
  • Inception Date: February 2003
  • Fund Type: US Small-Mid Cap Equities
  • Net Assets Invested: $3.16 billion
  • MER: 1.05%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 12.5%
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Key Highlights: Focusing on US small-mid cap stocks, this fund offers the potential for high future growth with a history of strong returns.

9. CI Canadian Dividend Fund Series F

  • Fund Code: CIG11012.CF
  • Inception Date: June 2006
  • Fund Type: Canadian Dividend Equities
  • Net Assets Invested: $1.7 billion
  • MER: 1.33%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 10.42%
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Key Highlights: This fund primarily invests in large-cap Canadian dividend stocks and provides long-term income potential.

10. Pimco Monthly Income Fund F Series

  • Fund Code: PMO205
  • Inception Date: January 20, 2011
  • Fund Type: Fixed-Income
  • Net Assets Invested: $22.8 billion
  • MER: 1.39%
  • 10-year Annualized Returns: 3.32%
  • Risk Level: Low
  • Key Highlights: With a focus on fixed-income assets, this fund provides monthly income distributions and diversification for conservative income portfolios.

Understanding Mutual Funds

A mutual fund pools funds from multiple investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of investment assets. These actively managed funds are offered by financial institutions and provide an accessible way for investors to access a variety of assets.

Pros and Cons of Mutual Funds

Pros:

  • Diversification without the need to buy individual assets.
  • Potential for long-term growth with reinvested distributions.
  • Simplified investment for those not actively managing their portfolios.

Cons:

  • Higher Management Expense Ratios (MERs) and fees compared to some alternatives like ETFs.
  • Reliance on fund managers for active management.
  • Limited trading flexibility compared to ETFs.

How to Buy Mutual Funds in Canada in 2023

While mutual funds don’t trade on stock exchanges,
you can purchase them through most Canadian brokerages. Look for brokerages with lower commission fees to minimize costs when investing in mutual funds.

Are Mutual Funds a Good Investment?

Mutual funds offer a straightforward and accessible investment option, particularly for those who prefer a hands-off approach. While they come with higher fees than ETFs, many mutual funds have demonstrated strong historical performance, making them a suitable choice for investors seeking ease of access and portfolio stability.

What is the Best Performing Mutual Fund in Canada in 2022?

In 2022, the RBC Global Energy Fund Series F stood out as one of the best-performing mutual funds in Canada, delivering a remarkable return of 48.18% for the year, particularly as an energy-focused fund.

Top 10 Mutual Fund Companies in Canada

  • RBC Global Asset Management
  • TD Asset Management
  • CI Global Asset Management
  • Mackenzie Investments
  • Pimco Investment Management
  • BMO Global Asset Management
  • Fidelity Investments
  • ScotiaFunds
  • Manulife Investment Management
  • Invesco

ETFs vs. Mutual Funds

While both mutual funds and ETFs offer diversified portfolios, they differ in their management styles. Mutual funds are often actively managed and come with higher fees, while ETFs are typically passively managed, offering lower MERs. ETFs trade on stock exchanges, allowing for more flexibility in trading compared to mutual funds.

Methodology

To select the top mutual funds for this list, we considered factors such as historical performance, risk levels, asset types, and MERs. These funds were chosen to provide a diverse range of investment options catering to various investment strategies and risk profiles. Remember that individual financial goals and preferences should guide your investment choices.

FAQs

What are the best dividend mutual funds in Canada?

Two top dividend mutual funds in Canada are the RBC Canadian Dividend Fund A and the CI Canadian Dividend Fund Series F.

What are the best RRSP mutual funds in Canada?

For RRSP investments, consider lower-risk options like the Invesco Select Balanced Fund Series F, which offers a balanced portfolio with both stocks and bonds.

What is the best bank for mutual funds in Canada?

RBC Global Asset Management stands as one of the leading choices for mutual fund investments, with the RBC Canadian Dividend Fund A being one of the largest mutual funds in Canada.

What is the best energy mutual fund in Canada?

In 2022, the RBC Global Energy Fund Series F was among the best-performing energy-focused mutual funds in Canada.

What are the best RBC mutual funds in Canada?

RBC offers a range of mutual funds, with the RBC Canadian Dividend Fund A being one of the largest. The RBC Canadian Equity Income Fund Series F is also a popular choice.

What are the best TD mutual funds in Canada?

TD Asset Management provides various mutual funds. Consider the TD Dividend Growth Fund and the TD Retirement Conservative Portfolio, both with substantial assets under management.
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