The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that the Avantis CIBC All-Equity Asset Allocation ETF (CAGE) is the top new exchange-traded fund of the year. Globe columnist Norman Rothery writes that it's a factor fund that focuses on quality value stocks from across the world and is managed by a group that includes former senior leaders from Dimensional Fund Advisors. It will be interesting to see how the new ETFs fare over the long term. Mr. Rothery says that over all, top ETFs represent a good starting point for further research, but be sure to understand each one, how it invests and what it invests in before adding it to your portfolio. Experienced investors know that ETFs can be beset by a huge number of risks. For instance, a surge in inflation and interest rates could decimate bond ETFs, while also pinching stock ETFs. Similarly, stock markets occasionally suffer from crashes and we might be overdue for another big one. Catastrophic losses are possible. Watch your step when trading ETFs -- particularly those with low or unusual volumes -- because they might be difficult to buy, or sell, in a timely and cost-effective way. Remember to start with a good low-fee, broadly diversified and balanced ETF.