Gold, Groceries, and Global Dividends – Daniel Straus’s May 2025 ETF Buffet
Daniel Straus Reveals His Top ETF Picks Amid Market Volatility – Defensive Dividends, Domestic Staples, and Gold Hedging Strategies

Daniel Straus, the managing director at National Bank Financial, is no stranger to navigating turbulent markets. As the global economy wavers under the weight of trade disputes and fluctuating economic policies, Straus has honed in on a trio of ETFs that he believes are strategically positioned to weather the storm. His top picks for May 8, 2025, reflect his nuanced perspective on defensive investments and targeted sector plays.
Amidst the recent tariff turmoil, exchange-traded funds have proven to be invaluable tools for investors seeking rapid portfolio repositioning. The Canadian ETF market experienced a surge in activity in early April 2025, with record volumes and inflows that underscored the growing demand for these versatile financial instruments. The first week of April alone saw Canadian ETFs attract a staggering $4.5 billion in inflows, a record-breaking figure for the year. Monday, April 7, 2025, went down in the books as the highest-volume trading day in Canadian ETF history, with $14.5 billion changing hands.
