Investment types

Compare your investment options.

Scotia iTRADE® clients can compare and choose from a wide range of investment options.

Use this helpful investment table to compare the different investment choices available to you. From equities/stocks, bonds, ETFs, or mutual funds, the choices available to you are vast. This comparison can help you determine what your best investment option is based on your needs, time horizon to invest, and risk tolerance.

Various investment options comparison

Investment Type	Investment class	Diversification	Management fees	Trading commission	Intraday pricing movement	Minimum investment	Taxation	Maturity/ expiry	Risk/Return
Stocks	Equity	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Capital gains; Dividends	No	Higher
ETFs	Equity/debt	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Capital gains; Dividends; Distributions	No	Medium
Mutual funds	Equity/debt	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Capital gains; Distribution	No	Medium
Options¹	Equity	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Capital gains	Yes	Highest
Bonds and debentures	Debt	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Capital gains; Interest	Yes	Lower
New issues²	Equity/debt	No	No	No	No	Yes	Capital gains; Interest; Dividends	Yes²	Higher
GICs	Debt	No	No	No	No	Yes	Interest	Yes	Lowest

Investment descriptions

Debt instruments usually issued by a Government or a Corporation. Bonds are typically secured by specific assets, while debentures are secured only by the issuer's promise to repay. The buyer is paid interest, usually semi-annually – this is the buyer's return or yield on the debt instrument. Upon maturity, the buyer is repaid their original investment at face value.

Learn more about Bonds and debentures

An IPO, or Initial Public Offering, is the issuance of securities by a company for sale to the public for the first time. A company that has already gone public can also offer a New Issue of additional securities. Typically, companies use IPOs & New Issues to raise capital for future business opportunities, pay down debt or to finance corporate activity.

Learn more about New issues and IPOs

Legal

1

This general description of our registered products is provided to you for informational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as tax advice or any other investment advice of any kind. Scotia iTRADE does not provide investment advice or recommendations of any kind, including tax advice. Individual circumstances will influence your investment decisions and you should consult with your own tax and investment advisor.

2

Using borrowed money to finance the purchase of securities involves greater risk than a purchase using cash resources only. If you borrow money to purchase securities, your responsibility to repay the loan and pay interest as required by its terms remains the same even if the value of the securities purchased declines.

3

Interest rate is subject to change at any time at Scotia iTRADE's discretion without prior notice. Interest is calculated on the daily closing balance and is paid monthly.

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Investment types

Scotia iTRADE® clients can compare and choose from a wide range of investment options.

Various investment options comparison

Investment descriptions

Stocks

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)

Mutual funds

Options1

Bonds and debentures

New issues and Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)2

Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs)

Scotia iTRADE® clients can compare and choose from a wide range of investment options.