Q: Which of these do you think is 'better', in terms of dividend sustainability and overall long-term total return (I know you would prefer VGG/VIG to both)? I like the value tilt of PUD.B (P/E ratio less than that of XDU and broad US market), but it is an expensive ETF, with a MER of 0.67 compared to 0.14 for XDU. Do you think the extra MER is worth it? In a market downturn, of course both will suffer, but do you think PUD.B might perform a bit better? Currently, I hold a bit of both, should I continue to hold both or just pick one (and if one, which one?) This is for a longterm hold. I am comfortable with the relatively small (but growing) assets under management of XDU. Thank you.

Q: Dear 5i,

I currently own XHU and am comparing it to PUD.B.

PUD.B is more expensive, with a MER of 0.67 vs 0.34 for XHU.

PUD.B is attractive because it appears to involve a strictly quantitative screen including 5-year non-negative dividend growth and Piotroski scores; whereas XHU involves quantitative but also qualitative assessments by Morningstar analysts (economic moat, uncertainty index, distance to default).

PUD.B is higher conviction, with 40 holdings vs. 75 for XHU.

Do you think that over the long-term, PUD.B will have higher dividend growth? Higher total return? If so, do you think PUD.B is worth the higher MER compared to XHU?

Thank you.