ETF strategies

All strategies are presented for informational purposes, based on objective diversification and cost criteria. They do not constitute personalised investment advice.

Our basic recommendation

Want to invest simply, without overcomplicating things?

Buy the IMIE ETF (SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI), invest regularly, and leave it alone. It is the simplest, most proven strategy, and the one the vast majority of long-term investors should follow. The other strategies below are for those who want to customise their exposure further — they remain simple, but require a minimum of thought and monitoring.

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Historical returns indicate the past performance of an index over a given period. They are useful for comparing strategies, but should be interpreted with caution for two important reasons:

A high historical return may mean the underlying asset is of high quality — but also that it is currently overvalued, which could lead to lower returns in the future. This is notably the case for US and technology stocks, which have strongly outperformed over the past 20 years.

A low historical return may mean the asset has gone through a difficult period — but also that it is currently undervalued and potentially positioned for a rebound. This is an argument often made for emerging and European markets.

In summary: past performance is not indicative of future results. Use historical returns as a point of comparison, not as a guarantee.

Simplified World

The simplest solution

SimpleLong termTOB 0.12%

A single ETF that replicates the performance of the largest global companies. The simplest strategy for exposure to developed markets — no rebalancing necessary.

Composition

IWDA100%Acc.TER 0.20%
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Weighted average TERi0.20%
Average return (2005–2025)~8.2% / yr

Based on the MSCI World index in EUR, dividends reinvested

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+6.8%1 yr
+15.7%3 yrs
+13.3%5 yrs
+12.1%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World Index

Complete World

Developed + emerging markets

SimpleLong termTOB 0.12%

Combines developed (89%) and emerging (11%) markets for truly global exposure, including China, India, and Brazil. Slightly more volatile but more representative of the global economy.

Composition

IWDA89%Acc.TER 0.20%
EMIM11%Acc.TER 0.18%
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Weighted average TERi0.20%
Average return (2005–2025)~8.1% / yr

Slightly higher than IMIE thanks to the absence of small caps, which underperformed large/mid caps over the 2005-2025 period. The emerging component (11%) has little weight on the overall return.

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+7.4%1 yr
+14.9%3 yrs
+12.0%5 yrs
+11.5%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World

All-in-one

The whole world in a single ETF

SimpleLong termTOB 0.12%

A unique ETF that covers developed and emerging markets in their natural proportions. Ideal for those who want absolute simplicity: a single purchase, zero rebalancing.

Composition

IMIE100%Acc.TER 0.17%
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Weighted average TERi0.17%
Average return (2005–2025)~8.0% / yr

Slightly lower than Complete World because IMIE includes small caps (global large, mid AND small cap), which marginally underperformed over the 2005-2025 period. In return, IMIE offers more complete diversification (~99% of global market cap).

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+7.6%1 yr
+16.2%3 yrs
+12.0%5 yrs
+10.6%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI ACWI IMI Index

Global ESG

Invest according to your values

SimpleLong termESGTOB 0.12%

Global exposure to developed markets with an ESG filter that excludes controversial companies (weapons, tobacco, thermal coal). Historical performance close to the unfiltered global market.

Composition

XMAW100%Acc.TER 0.20%
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Weighted average TERi0.20%
Average return (2005–2025)~8.3% / yr

Slightly outperformed IWDA since 2012 (+0.4%/year) thanks to the exclusion of sectors that underperformed (fossil fuels, tobacco). Data prior to 2012 is based on a backtest, not real data. This outperformance is not guaranteed in the future.

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+7.0%1 yr
+16.7%3 yrs
+13.2%5 yrs
+12.4%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World ESG Screened Index

Europe Bias

Overweighting Europe

IntermediateLong termTOB 0.12%

Combines a global base (60%) with an overweighting of Europe (40%). Reduces exposure to the United States compared to a pure World ETF, with catch-up potential if European markets outperform.

Composition

IWDA60%Acc.TER 0.20%
IEUR40%Acc.TER 0.12%
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Weighted average TERi0.17%
Average return (2005–2025)~7.5% / yr

Europe slightly underperformed the US over this period but offers better current valuation

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+11.8%1 yr
+14.5%3 yrs
+12.2%5 yrs
+10.4%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World

* Return calculated from weighted underlying indices. May differ slightly from actual ETF performance.

Anti-US

Reducing exposure to the United States

IntermediateLong termTOB 0.12%

For investors who want to significantly reduce their dependence on the United States (which represents ~65% of a World ETF). Diversifies towards Europe and China.

Composition

IWDA60%Acc.TER 0.20%
IEUR20%Acc.TER 0.12%
ICHN20%Acc.TER 0.28%
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Weighted average TERi0.20%
Average return (2005–2025)~6.8% / yr

China weighed on returns over this period (~4%/year). This strategy is forward-looking and not optimised for past performance

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+11.6%1 yr
+13.2%3 yrs
+9.8%5 yrs
+8.5%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World

* Return calculated from weighted underlying indices. May differ slightly from actual ETF performance.

China Bias

Overweighting China

IntermediateLong termTOB 0.12%

Adds significant exposure to China (30%) beyond what a standard World ETF includes (~3%). Suitable for investors convinced of the long-term catch-up potential of Chinese markets.

Composition

IWDA70%Acc.TER 0.20%
ICHN30%Acc.TER 0.28%
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Weighted average TERi0.22%
Average return (2005–2025)~6.5% / yr

China underperformed over the past 20 years. This strategy carries significant country risk

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+10.1%1 yr
+12.8%3 yrs
+8.9%5 yrs
+7.8%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World

* Return calculated from weighted underlying indices. May differ slightly from actual ETF performance.

US Bias

Betting on the United States

IntermediateLong termTOB 0.12%

Concentrated exposure to the 500 largest US companies via the S&P 500. One of the best performing indices historically, with a very low TER. High geographical concentration.

Composition

CSPX100%Acc.TER 0.07%
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Weighted average TERi0.07%
Average return (2005–2025)~11.5% / yr

Includes a favourable USD/EUR currency effect over this period. Past performance is not indicative of future results

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+7.9%1 yr
+15.7%3 yrs
+14.0%5 yrs
+13.9%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · S&P 500 Index

US Tech / Nasdaq

Betting on US technology

IntermediateLong termTOB 0.12%

Exposure to the 100 largest tech companies on the Nasdaq. High historical returns but higher volatility than a global ETF.

Composition

CNDX100%Acc.TER 0.33%
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Weighted average TERi0.33%
Average return (2005–2025)~13.2% / yr

Exceptional performance driven by US tech giants. High volatility (-33% in 2022). Past performance is not indicative of future results

⚠️ High sector concentration: this fund invests mainly in US tech. Volatility is significantly higher than a global ETF. Exceptional past returns (~13%/year) do not guarantee future performance.

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+10.8%1 yr
+18.5%3 yrs
+17.2%5 yrs
+18.1%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · Nasdaq-100 Index

Income & Dividends

Receive a regular income

SimpleLong termTOB 0.12%

Selection of global companies with high dividends. Distributes dividends regularly, providing an income stream. Tax-inefficient compared to an accumulating ETF in Belgium.

Composition

VHYL100%Dist.TER 0.29%
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Weighted average TERi0.29%
Average return (2005–2025)~7.8% / yr

Total return before 30% tax on dividends. After Belgian taxation, the effective return is significantly lower

⚠️ Distributing ETF: dividends received are subject to a 30% tax in Belgium. This strategy suits investors wanting regular income, but it is less tax-efficient than an accumulating ETF.

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+6.5%1 yr
+13.8%3 yrs
+11.2%5 yrs
+9.8%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield Index

* Return calculated from weighted underlying indices. May differ slightly from actual ETF performance.

Liquid Savings

Beat the savings account, risk-free

IntermediateShort termTOB 0.12%

A smart alternative to the Belgian savings account. XEON tracks the European interbank rate (€STR) and offers returns close to the ECB policy rate with near-zero volatility and full liquidity.

Composition

XEON100%Acc.TER 0.10%
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Weighted average TERi0.10%
Average return (2024–2025)~3.0% / yr

Tracks the €STR rate (formerly EONIA). Yield varies according to the ECB policy rate

⚠️ Yield follows the ECB policy rate — it will fall if the ECB reduces rates.
⚠️ The Reynders tax exemption is based on current tax practice, not on a codified law. This treatment could evolve.
ℹ️ Not suitable as a long-term strategy — for growth, prefer an equity strategy.

Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)

+2.9%1 yr
+3.1%3 yrs
+2.1%5 yrs
+1.2%10 yrs

Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · €STR Index

The historical returns presented are based on the past performance of the underlying indices and do not guarantee future performance. These strategies are provided for educational purposes only.

Last updated: March 2026