Mississauga, Ont.-based Investment Planning Counsel (IPC) has launched a family of ETF portfolios for investors looking for low-cost investment solutions, the firm announced Tuesday.

IPC aims to raise the bar for low-cost investing by giving investors access to a suite of globally diversified ETF portfolios with value-adds including strategies for downside protection and currency risk management, the firm says.

“While low-cost investing tends to be associated with younger investors, or those with smaller portfolios, IPC Essentials are intended for investors across the wealth spectrum,” says Kevin Hurlburt, executive vice president, products and services, in a statement. “IPC Essentials provide many of the benefits that come from working with an advisor including important elements investors aren’t receiving through other lower-cost investment options such as investment strategies aimed at reducing downside risk and the impact of currency fluctuations.”

The three portfolios are:

  • IPC Income Essentials Portfolio, which aims to provide investors with a monthly income stream while emphasizing capital preservation;
  • IPC Balanced Essentials Portfolio, designed to provide long-term capital appreciation from a blend of stocks and bonds; and
  • IPC Growth Essentials Portfolio, designed to benefit from the long-term growth of global markets.

The portfolios are managed by Counsel Portfolio Services, the portfolio management arm of IPC.

“These portfolios represent the essentials of what investors need: well-diversified, regularly rebalanced portfolios with important risk-reduction strategies not normally found in lower-cost solutions,” says Sam Febbraro, President and CEO of Counsel. “We believe this is a great choice for investors who are not only motivated by cost savings, but also value the guidance of a financial advisor.”