Fund overview & performance

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Canada Life Balanced Portfolio

April 30, 2025

A portfolio fund aiming to provide a balance between income and long-term growth.

Is this fund right for you?

  • You want investment income and you want your money to grow over time.
  • You want to invest in both equity funds and fixed-income funds (up to 40 per cent).
  • You're comfortable with a low to medium level of risk.

Risk Rating

Risk Rating: Low to Medium

How is the fund invested? (as of February 28, 2025)

Asset allocation (%)

Name Percent
Domestic Bonds 28.3
US Equity 23.0
International Equity 17.1
Canadian Equity 16.3
Foreign Bonds 7.7
Cash and Equivalents 2.2
Income Trust Units 0.6
Other 4.8

Geographic allocation (%)

Name Percent
Canada 46.8
United States 28.2
Multi-National 5.0
United Kingdom 2.3
China 1.7
Ireland 1.7
France 1.5
Japan 1.3
Taiwan 1.2
Other 10.3

Sector allocation (%)

Name Percent
Fixed Income 36.8
Financial Services 12.6
Technology 11.2
Consumer Services 4.9
Healthcare 4.7
Consumer Goods 4.0
Mutual Fund 4.0
Industrial Services 4.0
Industrial Goods 3.8
Other 14.0

Growth of $10,000 (since inception)

Data not available based on date of inception

Fund details (as of February 28, 2025)

Top holdings %
Canada Life Canadian Core Fixed Inc Fd I 17.4
Canada Life Global Multi-Asset Defensive+ Fund R 2.0
Canada Life Global Opportunities+ Fund R 2.0
Cash and Cash Equivalents 1.5
Apple Inc 1.1
Royal Bank of Canada 1.1
Microsoft Corp 1.1
Canada Life Global Inflation-Linked Fixed Income S 1.0
Amazon.com Inc 1.0
Toronto-Dominion Bank 0.8
Total allocation in top holdings 29.0
Portfolio characteristics
Standard deviation 8.8%
Dividend yield 2.0%
Yield to maturity -
Duration (years) -
Coupon -
Average credit rating Not rated

Understanding returns

Annual compound returns (%)

1 MO 3 MO YTD 1 YR
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3 YR 5 YR 10 YR INCEPTION
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Calendar year returns (%)

2024 2023 2022 2021
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2020 2019 2018 2017
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Range of returns over five years (February 1, 2001 - April 30, 2025)

Best return Best period end date Worst return
Worst period end date
9.6% Feb. 2014 -1.4% Feb. 2009
Average return % of periods with positive returns Number of positive periods Number of negative periods
4.1% 96.1% 223 9

Q1 2025 Fund Commentary

Market commentary

Global equities declined in the first quarter of 2025 while global bonds posted a modest gain (all returns in Canadian-dollar terms on a total return basis). Trade and policy changes from the new U.S. presidential administration raised concerns about a potential recession in the U.S.

The implementation of several tariffs by the U.S. affected key trading partners, including Canada, China and Mexico. Anticipation of retaliatory tariffs, which were to be enacted after the quarter-end, also weighed heavily on investor sentiment. As a result, the U.S. equity market posted a mid-single-digit loss, with the consumer discretionary sector performing weakly.

In contrast, Canadian equities gained, with the materials sector leading. Europe, Australasia, and the Far East (EAFE) equities also gained, outperforming both Canadian and U.S. equities, and driven by strong performances from Spain and Italy.

Emerging markets equities also rose but lagged their developed market peers, with notable gains from South Korea and Brazil.

The FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index gained 2.0%. Government bond prices rose as sovereign yields declined, outperforming corporate bonds, which also posted gains. However, corporate bond prices were impacted by widening credit spreads (the difference in yield between corporate and government bonds).

Within the corporate sector, infrastructure bonds saw the largest increase. High-yield bonds posted gains but underperformed investment-grade corporate bonds.

Global bond yields declined over the quarter, leading to an increase in global bond prices. The Bank of Canada, European Central Bank and Bank of England lowered their policy interest rates. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board maintained its rates, while the Bank of Japan raised its policy interest rate.

The yield on 10-year Government of Canada bonds fell by 25 basis points, from 3.22% to 2.97%, mirroring the decline in U.S. yields. In contrast, sovereign yields in the U.K., Germany and Japan increased.

Performance

An allocation to foreign equity had the most positive impact on performance. The global fixed income allocation also had a positive impact.

An underweight to U.S. equity had a positive impact on performance. Active management in U.S. value, EAFE and emerging markets was also positive as interest rates rose.

Exposure to U.S. growth equities was negative for performance. Exposure to, and active management in, Canadian and global small- and mid-capitalization equities also had a negative impact.

Exposure to Canada Life International Equity Fund had a positive impact because of strong stock selection in the financials and consumer discretionary sectors.

Exposure to Canada Life U.S. All Cap Growth Fund had a negative impact on performance as U.S. growth stocks underperformed.

Portfolio activity

The sub-advisor added liquid alternatives to diversify the traditional asset classes held in the portfolio during the quarter.

The sub-advisor decreased relative exposure to Canadian fixed income and foreign equities to make room for the global alternatives asset class.

Outlook

The most significant development so far in 2025 was the escalation in trade tensions, which suggests a major shift in the structure of global markets. The tariff-driven economic slowdown and weaker business sentiment have led to downward gross domestic product revisions. However, the latest activity data suggests a more resilient economy than initially anticipated.

The current global equity correction has similarities with past episodes where inflation and restrictive trade policies led to weakness before markets eventually stabilized. The sub-advisor believes 2025 should be a year of slower but positive growth, with opportunities emerging as policy uncertainty clears.

Given the stronger-than-expected escalation in trade tensions, the sub-advisor is lowering expectations for U.S. equities. The sub-advisor is adjusting positioning accordingly but recognizes the potential for recovery once macroeconomic concerns ease. History suggests volatility driven by trade concerns often resolves once underlying economic data stabilizes.

With the ongoing market uncertainty, the sub-advisor has emphasized sector diversification to limit exposure to market declines while keeping long-term exposure to recovery opportunities. Despite the uncertainty, the sub-advisor has a positive long-term stance on equities.

The sub-advisor believes the current environment underscores the importance of a globally diversified investment strategy that remains focused on long-term objectives.

Portfolio Solutions Group

Contact information

Toll free: 1-844-730-1633

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Summary

For the period {{NAVPSPerformanceSummary.StartDate}} through {{NAVPSPerformanceSummary.EndDate}} with $10,000 CAD investment

Total returns performance

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Last price

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Value of $10,000 investment

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