Investment Q&A

Q: I think it's time that I put some money back into emerging markets. Currently my only holdings (other than ADR's held on International stocks thru New York) is my investment in ZDI. All in, these current investments represent less than 3.5% of my equity portfolio. So my two part question is as follows: 1) what rough percentage would you recommend for international holdings in total (tough question I know), and 2) please give me your opinion on the relative merits/demerits of VEE vs ZEM (on a line chart they track almost identically in terms of performance, so I'm wondering if there's something "under the hood" in either of them that might be important for my decision)? Many thanks.

Q: Trivago with its ubiquitous advertising is up 53% this year yet not one question has been asked in 5i and articles are even scant in seeking alpha. Acknowledging that it's a U.S. company with a 3 digit forward PE do you have any perspectives on it at this time?

Thanks!

Q: My only exposure to equities outside of Canada is through the etf VUN. Would it be appropriate now to invest in emerging markets, Europe or world etf's? Could you please make some suggestions to compliment my Canadian and US holdings.
Thanks for your wonderful service.

Q: Greetings 5i,

Looking to further enhance geographical diversification in my overall portfolio. I have fairly balanced exposure to NA, about 8% Europe, but only 1% Asia so I am looking to bring up my exposure in that region. My question is regarding exposure to India specifically. I wish to dollar cost average into this geographical region therefore I have been looking for a mutual fund rather than an ETF due to cost prohibitive transaction fees of $9.99 with my institution. What are your thoughts on Excel India Series D fund (EXL770)? I have it as No load, Mer 1.75, Min $250 and subsequent $50. Im open to suggestions and or direction keeping in mind the dollar cost averaging is preferred to me over a big initial commitment to a geographical region like this.

Cheers!

Q: Ryan,
Can you please provide a couple choices of best in class ETFs that would give best exposure to Europe?
Thx

Q: Which Emerging Markets ETF with growth and some dividend for a long term hold in TFSA and/or RESP account would you recommend? THX

Q: Any thoughts on global/non-TSX low volatility ETFs as bond-like stabilizers for an equity portfolio? Which funds do you favour?

Q: Hi, what would you recommend for a few value etf's for Europe, Emerging markets, and the U.S. that trade in Canada,for about a ten year time horizon, thanks??

Q: $IDV: iShares International Select Dividend ETF. I'm wondering your thoughts on this ETF - would you recommend holding this as a way to diversify dividend income outside of North American equity, as we don't follow much for international equities. Morningstar mentioned that it outpaced the category average by 80 basis points annualized, but with greater volatility, so its risk-adjusted performance was slightly below average. Are there any alternatives you would recommend instead?

Q: I need to diversify our investments more outside of Canada/US. What is your opinion of VAH? The dividend is attractive. Thank you, Bill.

Q: CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE CURRENT VALUATION/PROSPECTS OF METRO BANK PLC RUN BY VERNON HILL

Q: I noticed that you had been recommending VEE for emerging market exposure, but recently have been recommending EEM. Could you comment upon the respective merits of these two funds.
Thank you.

Q: Good day...I am lucky enough to have a fairly large portfolio that is 70% in your balanced portfolio and 10% in various growth and income stocks you have in the other two portfolios. I also have 20% of my portfolio in u.s. stocks. My question is whether or not I should have any emerging market exposure or are the companies in your three portfolios have enough already. I look forward to your thoughts on this...

Q: can you please recommend an etf or two for exposure to emerging markets
thank you

Q: Hi, I want to Invest some of my cash outside of Canadian and US markets. I would appreciate if you can suggest a few markets with good valuations and potential. I do not want to pick individual stocks, but instead would buy an ETF.
Thanks

Q: I'm looking for diversification outside on the Americas and Ctrip.Com International Ltd looks like an interesting play on travel/technology.
See Globe article -- Top stocks from the manager of Canada’s top mutual fund published April 7th.

Thanks,
Raymond

Q: Hi 5i Team,

Several websites that comment on stocks rate Mercado Libre (MELI) very highly. I know you don't follow international stocks as closely as Canadian securities, but you do have access to a Bloomberg terminal and perhaps other paying stock research sites. I'm hesitating to buy MELI because it has risen so much in the last year and the probability of a reversion to the mean or a drawdown is that much greater today. Are my concerns misplaced with this company?
Robert

Q: Hello

What Canadians etf's would you recommend for exposure to Europe in my tfsa?
Thank you
Amy

Q: There seems to be some new interest in Mexican securities. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MEXICAN MARKETS OR STOCKS OR ETFS!! Would appreciate any info and or recommendations - positive or negative. Thank you.

Q: Hi,
I currently own 8 of Mawers Funds (MAW-102,104,105,108,120,130 & 150) to provide broad diversification to the individual stocks I own. I just noticed that they have a new Emerging Markets Fund MAW160. As this is a relatively new fund I know that information is limited on it but can you comment if you think this would be a suitable fund that would add further diversification to the funds I currently own and if I were to purchase it which account would it best suit i.e.- non-registered-TFSA-RRSP?
Thank you.