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.
Filter strategies
A single ETF that replicates the performance of the largest global companies. The simplest strategy for exposure to developed markets — no rebalancing necessary.
Composition
Based on the MSCI World index in EUR, dividends reinvested
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World Index
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
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)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World
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
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)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI ACWI IMI Index
Global exposure — developed and emerging markets — with an ESG filter that excludes controversial companies (weapons, tobacco, thermal coal). Historical performance close to the unfiltered global market.
Composition
Fund return (net of ongoing charges) over calendar years 2016–2025, in euros. Note: the ETF has only tracked the MSCI ACWI Select Screened index since 20 October 2021 — before that it tracked the standard MSCI ACWI, with no ESG filter. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · Xtrackers MSCI AC World Screened ETF
* Exception: these figures are the ETF's actual returns, so already net of the TER (not index returns gross of fees).
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
Europe slightly underperformed the US over this period but offers better current valuation
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World
* Return calculated from weighted underlying indices. May differ slightly from actual ETF performance.
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
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)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World
* Return calculated from weighted underlying indices. May differ slightly from actual ETF performance.
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
China underperformed over the past 20 years. This strategy carries significant country risk
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · MSCI World
* Return calculated from weighted underlying indices. May differ slightly from actual ETF performance.
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
Includes a favourable USD/EUR currency effect over this period. Past performance is not indicative of future results
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · S&P 500 Index
Exposure to the 100 largest tech companies on the Nasdaq. High historical returns but higher volatility than a global ETF.
Composition
Exceptional performance driven by US tech giants. High volatility (-33% in 2022). Past performance is not indicative of future results
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
Past performance · gross · before taxes & fees · Nasdaq-100 Index
Selection of global companies with high dividends. Distributes dividends regularly, providing an income stream. Tax-inefficient compared to an accumulating ETF in Belgium.
Composition
Total return before 30% tax on dividends. After Belgian taxation, the effective return is significantly lower
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
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.
A smart alternative to the Belgian savings account. CSH2 tracks the European interbank rate (€STR) and offers returns close to the ECB policy rate with near-zero volatility and full liquidity.
Composition
Tracks the €STR rate (formerly EONIA). Yield varies according to the ECB policy rate
Avg. yearly return (index, EUR)
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: August 2026