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Independent ETF Research Beyond Wealthsimple Trade

Wealthsimple Trade is clean, commission-free, and TFSA/RRSP-eligible. Independent six-lens analysis on the same ~40 US-listed ETFs every Friday — with PRIME synthesis and five SENIOR verdicts — is not included in the app. Cognitor provides it.

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Wealthsimple Trade → Cognitor → YouExecution stays at Wealthsimple Trade. Research: six Panel lenses, five SENIOR verdicts, PRIME — each week the methodology assesses the macro scenario against the same ~40 curated US-listed ETFs, then the dossier deep-dives those selected for that edition (theses, validations, invalidations)—not a full standalone report on every ticker every Friday.

Managed vs self-directed — and where Cognitor fits

Wealthsimple offers Managed (robo-advisor) and Trade (self-directed). Cognitor is for self-directed Trade users who want structured, conflict-aware research — not a portfolio chosen by a model. Six Panel specialists and five SENIOR verdicts deliver that layer every Friday, with no fund distribution agreements and no stake in what you buy.
  • If you use Wealthsimple Managed, your agreement is with Wealthsimple's advice layer — Cognitor does not replace or compete with that regulated relationship.
  • If you use Wealthsimple Trade, you are the decision-maker; Cognitor adds the six-specialist + five-verdict stack on the weekly ticker set to inform those decisions.
  • US-listed ETFs held in a Wealthsimple Trade RRSP are generally sheltered from the 15% US withholding on dividends under the Canada–US tax treaty; TFSA and non-registered holdings typically are not — Cognitor provides macro context; confirm withholding treatment with your adviser.
Validation mindset — structured research next to your brokerage execution

ETFs in the Cognitor universe

The fixed universe is ~40 curated US-listed ETFs—not the whole market. Each weekly dossier focuses on the subset selected for that week's scenario (deep research with theses, validations, and invalidations). The Panel still grounds the process in the full universe scan. Below are examples Wealthsimple Trade investors often hold or can map from their menu; each card opens that ticker's overview page. Inclusion is informational, not a buy or sell recommendation.

SPYUS large-cap core — narrative hub for many equity sleeves.QQQGrowth tilt — tech-cycle vs fundamentals in the Panel.VEADeveloped international — outside North America.VWOEmerging markets — flows and policy divergence.IEFRates sleeve — HELIOS and curve context.GLDGold — diversification angle without stock picking.

Examples below are US-listed tickers in Cognitor's weekly dossier. Canadian-listed wrappers (VFV, ZSP, XAW, XIC, etc.) often map to similar economic exposure — use for narrative read-through, not tick-for-tick replication. Holdings, MERs, and hedging status differ.

How it fits your workflow

  1. Step 1 — Open the Friday PRIME synthesis after the Panel + SENIOR layers publish.
  2. Step 2 — Map the tickers to the ETFs you actually hold or watch on Trade.
  3. Step 3 — Rebalance on Trade only when your plan — not a headline — says so.
Research at Cognitor, execution at your broker — connected workflow

Start free. Upgrade when it matters.

Free tier follows the same cadence with delays; Pro unlocks same-week dossiers, briefings, and Mon–Thu daily podcasts. About CA$ 5.95/month with the current offer after a 7-day trial.

At checkout, Stripe shows the exact amount and currency for your billing country — no surprises.

Free

$0

  • Full dossier on a 7-day delay; briefings after 24h vs Pro same-day
  • Great way to explore the Panel → SENIOR → PRIME workflow
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Pro

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US$9.90 / month

US$4.95 / month

  • Weekly dossier deep-diving the ETFs selected for that week from ~40 US-listed names
  • Same-week briefings and Mon–Thu daily podcasts
  • Cancel anytime
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Full plan comparison →

Transparency — research layer only; execution and custody stay at your broker

Common questions

Canadian investors: how Cognitor complements Wealthsimple Trade without custody or order flow.

  • No. Cognitor does not custody assets, offer robo portfolios, or manage investments. It is an independent research subscription you can use alongside Wealthsimple Trade to add structured macro and valuation context to your self-directed decisions.