Guardian Capital Expands GuardBondsTM Suite with 2028 and 2029 Investment Grade Bond ETFs
Guardian Capital launches GBFE and GBFF on Cboe Canada, offering investors clarity, income, and maturity-based bond investing.
Guardian Capital LP has expanded its growing fixed income ETF lineup with the launch of GuardBondsTM 2028 Investment Grade Bond Fund (GBFE) and GuardBondsTM 2029 Investment Grade Bond Fund (GBFF). The two new ETFs, listed on Cboe Canada as of June 3, 2025, are designed to provide a predictable stream of income and the option to hold to maturity, bringing welcome simplicity and certainty to the bond investing landscape.
The launch builds on Guardian’s successful GuardBonds franchise, offering Canadian investors more options to lock in attractive yields while navigating interest rate volatility with greater confidence.
How These ETFs Work
Both GBFE and GBFF are defined maturity ETFs, structured to hold a diversified portfolio of Canadian-dollar-denominated investment-grade bonds that mature in their respective target years—2028 and 2029. The funds are actively managed and are expected to terminate on or about November 30 of their maturity year.
The funds aim to generate income over their lifespan by holding bonds to maturity rather than trading in and out of positions. This structure is intended to reduce price volatility, provide greater income predictability, and help investors better plan for future financial goals. Guardian’s experienced fixed income team selects the portfolio based on total return potential and tax efficiency, prioritizing discounted bonds when possible.
Why Investors Should Consider These ETFs
1. Can Be Held to Maturity – Like a Bond
Unlike traditional bond funds, GBFE and GBFF are designed with a defined end-date. Investors can hold the ETF until maturity, with the expectation of receiving their capital back—subject to credit risk—much like owning an individual bond.
2. Greater Income Clarity
The structure provides more predictable income, helping investors estimate returns more accurately over the fund’s lifespan. This makes the ETFs especially attractive during periods of interest rate uncertainty.
3. Active Management with Tax Efficiency
Guardian’s fixed income team actively manages the portfolios to maximize return and reduce risk. Bonds trading at a discount to par are prioritized to improve tax efficiency, a valuable feature for taxable investors.
As Barry Gordon, Managing Director and Head of Retail Asset Management at Guardian Capital, explains:
“Canadian investors who are looking for more clarity on the level of income they can generate, and less uncertainty from volatility in Canadian bonds, have found the option of held-to-maturity bond portfolios appealing. The utility of these solutions has been evidenced by considerably increased adoption amongst Canadian investors over the past 2 years. As shorter-term bond yields decline and longer-term bond yields increase, investors may wish to allocate further out the yield curve. Today’s launches provide investors with that ability, expanding our current GuardBonds suite with maturity options in 2028 and 2029.”
About the Issuer
Guardian Capital LP is one of Canada’s oldest and largest independent asset managers, with a strong reputation built on over 60 years of institutional portfolio management expertise. The firm is known for its disciplined investment approach and innovation across both mutual funds and ETFs. With a growing presence in the Canadian retail market, Guardian is focused on making its time-tested strategies accessible to individual investors through thoughtfully designed investment vehicles that respond to real-world market needs.
Learn more at: www.guardiancapital.com/investmentsolutions
Please note this article is for information purposes only and does not in any way constitute investment advice. It is essential that you seek advice from a registered financial professional prior to making any investment decision.
