Beyond the MER: Unpacking the Costs of ETF Trading

ETF investing involves far more than just the MER. In this episode, Markus Otema, Executive Director at CIBC Capital Markets, discusses the often-overlooked drivers of ETF trading costs and their impact on trade execution. He explains how bid-ask spreads can fluctuate based on ETF pricing and market conditions and explores the structural mechanisms that influence ETF costs and liquidity. Markus also shares his best practices for trading ETFs, including the significance of understanding the ETF’s underlying assets and the potential pitfalls of trading during periods of market volatility. This episode was recorded on May 22, 2025.