Q: I manage a small TFSA (~$25K) for a young adult family member, with a long time horizon. We would like to get some exposure to small caps, which you have mentioned are likely due for a bull move. To get diversification with a purchase of only ~$5000, an ETF probably makes sense. There are several that have been mentioned in the past Q&A, so I am looking for your advice / recommendation as to which would be the best choice for a young person looking for long term growth. I am considering IJR, IWO, IWY, VBK... but feel free to add any other(s) you like.
Thanks.

Q: Dear Peter et al:

This is more of big picture and history based question even though I am old enough know that the past performance doesn't mean anything going forward!

Has there been a period when Small cap growth or value stocks outperformed the Large caps growth/value during deflation/stagflation, recession with with a capital R or a lower case r, or even in a nominal sideways market? Do you see such a scenario evolving in 2024/2025? If so what are the ETFs that one could employ to benefit from such a scenario? Lightening up the large caps and switching to small caps for a year or two , is this a good strategy going forward?
I have included some of the ETFs that you are fond of from your Q&A. However feel free to add or delete!

Many thanks.
Mano

Q: Hi team,

I currently have IWO as a core holding. I would like to change to a more concentrated ETF holding either in small or mid cap US. With so many different factors to choose from such as large/medium/small cap, dividend/value/growth/blend, current valuations, etc... and looking at past returns over various time periods, how does one choose the best ETF to invest in going forward now? I would consider all these ETF's to be high quality and obviously no one knows what the range of future returns will be. With small/mid cap underperforming lately vs large cap, would you place your bets on that spread closing over time? I'm comfortable with volatility and have a long term time horizon (+15yrs). How would you rank these going forward for best risk adjusted returns?

Thank you!