What is VFV?
VFV is a Canadian-listed ETF from Vanguard that tracks the S&P 500, one of the most widely followed stock market indexes in the world. By holding VFV, you gain exposure to 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States, across all sectors of the economy. It’s traded in Canadian dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), but it’s not currency-hedged, which means the performance is also influenced by changes in the USD-CAD exchange rate. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against the Canadian dollar, that can give Canadian investors an extra boost.
What does VFV actually hold?
VFV holds the same companies that make up the S&P 500 index. These include global leaders such as:
Apple
Microsoft
Amazon
Nvidia
Alphabet (Google)
Berkshire Hathaway
Meta
JPMorgan Chase
Procter & Gamble
Johnson & Johnson
These companies span multiple sectors including technology, healthcare, consumer goods, finance, energy, and industrials. As a result, VFV is not only diversified by the number of companies, but also by industry and geography (many of these companies operate globally).
Key Features
Management Fee: VFV has a very low management expense ratio (MER) of 0.08 percent, meaning for every $1,000 invested, you are only paying about 80 cents per year in fees.
Structure: Passively managed to mirror the performance of the S&P 500 index.
Liquidity: VFV trades daily on the TSX with strong volume, making it easy to buy or sell.
Dividends: VFV pays quarterly dividends from the underlying U.S. stocks.
Why CaliBridge Holds VFV
At Calibridge, VFV is one of our most important long-term positions. We hold it not because we think it will double next week, but because it represents consistency, stability, and exposure to long-term economic growth.
VFV gives us instant ownership in the most successful companies in the world, without having to research or manage 500 individual stocks. It is a foundational building block in our strategy because it lets us participate in innovation, global leadership, and sector diversity, all from one asset.
Whether the market goes up or down in the short term, VFV is built to grow over time. The S&P 500 has a strong track record of recovering from downturns and continuing to deliver gains over long periods. Holding VFV allows us to stay focused, stay diversified, and avoid emotional investing.
Why It Belongs in Almost Any Portfolio
If you are new to investing, VFV is one of the most beginner-friendly ETFs out there. It gives you:
Diversification across 500 companies
Exposure to world-class businesses
Low fees and no need to pick individual stocks
Growth potential aligned with the U.S. economy
Quarterly dividend income
Simple, hands-off management
Whether your goal is building long-term wealth, saving for a home, or creating passive income over time, VFV fits naturally into almost any portfolio. It is a core holding that can grow with you, and we believe every investor should consider it.
Main CaliBridge portfolio coming very soon!