Beyond stocks: 3 alternative ways to grow your wealth

In March and April 2025, U.S. stocks shed trillions in value across multiple sessions. Though markets eventually rebounded, investors fully exposed to equities faced a nerve-racking ride.

That’s the nature of the stock market — unpredictable swings that can sometimes erase months of gains in a single day.

No wonder financial advisors are turning to alternative assets to hedge against market volatility: 92% already include them in client portfolios, and 91% plan to increase allocations over the next two years, according to a survey of 500 advisors by CAIS and Mercer.

With the alternative asset sector projected to top US$30 trillion by 2030, these strategies are proving to be a resilient path to long-term wealth.

Here are three alternative ways to invest beyond stocks and protect your portfolio.

Diversify beyond stocks with real estate

For generations, real estate has proven to be one of the most reliable ways to grow wealth, offering a powerful mix of steady income, long-term appreciation and portfolio diversification.

In fact, a PwC survey found that over 50% of billionaires allocate between 21% and 40% of their wealth to real estate, regardless of how they made their fortunes.

But you don’t need billionaire status to take advantage of this asset class.

If you don’t have the funds for a hefty down payment or want to avoid the hassles of being a landlord, consider investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or REIT exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

REITs are publicly traded companies that own and operate income-producing properties, including apartment buildings, warehouses and medical centres.

These companies distribute most of their taxable income to shareholders, which means you can potentially access steady monthly or quarterly payouts without having to buy or manage a property yourself.

REIT ETFs take this one step further by bundling multiple REITs into a single, low-cost fund, giving you instant diversification across sectors and geographic regions.

For investors who want real estate exposure without tying up large amounts of capital, you can invest in REITs and REIT ETFs within registered accounts like a TFSA or RRSP with platforms such as CIBC Investor’s Edge.

Enjoy low commission fees of $6.95 per trade and no annual fees for the first year. Investors who make over 150 trades in a quarter fall in the active trader category — and can enjoy a discounted commission rate of $4.95 per trade for stocks and ETFs.

Whether you're looking for long-term growth, consistent income — or both — real estate can play a key role in your financial future.

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The rise and rise of gold

In times of uncertainty — whether driven by tariffs, inflation, or geopolitical tensions — investors often seek refuge in gold. Known for its resilience during market volatility, gold continues to prove its value.

Gold has surged past US$4,000, rising more than 47% year-to-date in 2025 — marking its biggest yearly gain in more than 40 years. Silver has also skyrocketed, gaining over 79% year-to-date.

If you're bullish on gold, there's no need to visit a bullion dealer.

Gold e-certificates give you exposure to physical gold without the need to worry about storage, insurance or security. The issuing institution stores the metal and allows you to trade and redeem easily.

Gold ETFs offer another accessible route, letting you buy units of a fund that tracks the price of gold. They trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange like any stock, so you can add to or trim your position easily, often with lower fees than traditional mutual funds or physical gold products.

Because gold often behaves differently from stocks and bonds, it can serve as a hedge during volatility in a well-rounded portfolio — helping you protect your purchasing power over time.

CIBC Investor’s Edge makes it easy to purchase both gold e-certificates and gold ETFs directly from your trading dashboard.

Get 100 free trades when you open a CIBC Investor’s Edge account using promo code EDGE2526. Plus, get $150 or more cash back.† Offer ends March 31, 2026.

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Commodities: Take your portfolio to another level

When markets wobble or inflation starts eating into returns, traditional stocks and bonds may not be enough.

Commodities like oil, gold, and agricultural goods often move to a different rhythm — providing a potential hedge against volatility and real‑world risks.

In fact, global trade values increased by about  US $300 billion in the first half of 2025, according to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). That jump reflects strong demand for real‑asset exposure and reinforces the case for commodities in a diversified portfolio.

Owning barrels of oil, bars of gold or bushels of corn isn’t practical for most investors. So buying a commodity-focused ETF is a convenient way to get that exposure.

With CIBC Investor’s Edge, you can buy commodity ETFs listed on the TSX directly in your account — whether that’s a registered account (TFSA or RRSP) or non-registered account.

It’s important to remember that commodities are not like dividend-paying stocks or interest-paying bonds. They may be more volatile, carry risk and their returns depend on price moves rather than company profits.

You can use CIBC Investor’s Edge’s tools, such as watch lists, alerts, performance tracking to keep your portfolio allocation balanced.

Whether you’re just starting or already trading actively, CIBC provides tailored resources for both beginners and advanced traders.

Start with the basics through their Investing 101 guides — and when you’re ready, take advantage of their advanced trading tools and research to inform your strategy.

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