E316 – Rethinking US Equity Exposure

In this episode, Darim Abdullah joins hosts Zayla Saunders and Hilly Cutler to unpack why not all US equity exposure is created equal—from the mechanics of concentration risk in market cap weighted indices, to how equal weighting canbroaden a portfolio’s return drivers and reduce reliance on a handful of mega cap names. Zayla Saunders is Vice President of ETF Online Distribution at BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM) and Hilly Cutler is Director of Portfolio Consulting and Senior Portfolio Consultant at BMO GAM. They are joined by Darim Abdullah,Director of ETFs and Portfolio Consulting at BMO GAM. This episode was recorded live on Monday, June 1, 2026.   **ETF mentioned:** · BMO MSCI USA Equal Weight Index ETF (Ticker: ZEQL) **Sources:** Morningstar Direct, as of May 29, 2026 BMO Capital Markets, ETF Weekly Flows Screener report, covering May 22–28, 2026 Cboe Canada (ETF Flow Tracker; Trackinsight data as of June 1, 2026) **Disclaimers:** Please visit for full disclaimers This podcast is for information purposes. The viewpoints expressed by the speakers represent their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to anycircumstance. Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statementsare not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent prospectus. The BMO ETFs or securities referred to herein are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”), and MSCI bears no liability with respect to any such BMO ETFs or securities or any index on which such BMO ETFs or securities are based. The prospectus of the BMO ETFs contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI has with BMO Asset Management Inc. and any related BMO ETFs.  Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds. Please read the ETF Facts or prospectus of the BMO ETFsbefore investing. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all dividends or distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. For a summary of the risks of an investment in the BMO ETFs, please see the specific risks set out in the BMO ETF’s prospectus. BMO ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination. BMO ETFs are managed by BMO Asset Management Inc., an investment fund manager, a portfolio manager, and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal. BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name under which BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. operate. “BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.