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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Good day Peter and 5i Team,

This question is basically about asset allocation. My goal is to gain more exposure to global markets as opposed to the Canadian market. (United State, Europe, and Asian markets). I would like to gain this exposure by investing in, what you consider to be the highest quality ETF'S currently available with exposure to these markets. I understand there are countless possiblites available; therein lies my problem, but I would appreciate keeping the number of ETF'S to a minimum. So, what is your best investment for in each of the sectors for capital gains, some dividend support, and lower fees for overall investment appreciation?
-Europe?
-Asia?
-United States?
Keeping in mind the current condition of the world economy, what percentage of my funds would you designate to each ETF?
Thanks-you for your continued support.
Read Answer Asked by Les on July 13, 2017
Q: Hello. I currently hold zdi in my cash account and am thinking of increasing my exposure to this part of the world (now about 1.5% of that portfolio). I'm wondering about the pros and cons of doing this by adding zea. I realize it doubles my exposure to the UK, but it also adds more of Japan. Alternately, I could just buy more of zdi. Your recommendation, please.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on July 05, 2017
Q: Hi Team I am looking for both ETF and stock exposure to Europe. The above two ETF's seem like good choices? Would you recommend them or do you have some other ETF preferences? Also are there a couple of European stocks you would recommend? I currently own LXFT, Luxoft and am looking at EEFT. Euronet. Thanks Team Chris

Read Answer Asked by Chris on July 04, 2017
Q: I know these iShares ETFs were just released, but wondering if you were able to form an opinion on these based on its current holdings. The MER seems quite reasonable and am wondering you feel these would be suitable to gain diversification outside of Canada.

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Mike on June 26, 2017
Q: Hi team:
I do not want to invest out side Canada more then what I already have.I would like to invest in Canadian companies that have much of their income in other countries mostly Europe and developing markets.Could you provide a longish list of possible good investments with the above in mind. It would help if the were safe and had a div. Please include ETF'S if you like.
many thanks
Yossi
Read Answer Asked by JOSEPH on June 26, 2017
Q: I presently have no exposure to Europe in my portfolio and wish to add a 5% position by buying a ETF. Should I buy edge or not edge ETF, seeing the weakness in the currencies? Income is not the primary goal but I want good total return of course. I prefer good quality companies, participating in the recovery as opposed to momentum plays or startups. Could you suggest one or two Canadian ETF.
Read Answer Asked by Rene on June 21, 2017
Q: If memory serves me well, at one time you were recommending the FEZ ETF for European exposure. I bought some two years ago. More recently you have been recommending VE. What I like about FEZ in the current environment is that it has no direct exposure to the UK, a country that seems to have a cloudy economic future these days. VE, in contrast, has 29% of its assets in the UK. FEZ’s MER is a bit higher, but not by much, and its yield (before withholding tax) is also higher. FEZ has 50 holdings while VE has 1262. Are you leaning more toward VE these days because it can be bought directly in Canada while FEZ must be bought in the US market? Or is it the (modest) small cap exposure in VE that you like? Or the much greater number of holdings? Or something else?
Read Answer Asked by Philip on June 21, 2017
Q: I hold the following ETF’s in a Non-Registered account. It is sort of a general purpose portfolio with a bit of emphasis on the health care sector (just because I think it is coming due). My question is with additional cash to add should I look for another ETF or add to the existing ones? I guess I am saying do I need more diversification or is there another particular sector I could emphasize?

Canada
iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index Fund

US
Vanguard US Total Mkt Ind ETF
AdvisorShares Focused Equity

Europe
Vangrd FTSE Dev Europe All Cap

Health Care
BMO EqWt US HthCare Hedged CAD
iShares Global Healthcare ETF

Emerging Markets
BMO India Equity Index ETF
Fairfax India Holdings
Fairfax Africa Holdings


Read Answer Asked by David on June 20, 2017
Q: Hi 5i team,
I currently have the above ETFs. I find that the dividend are a bit low (~2%). I was wondering if there are alternatives to the above in the 4-5% dividend range for income?

Andrew
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on June 16, 2017
Q: To add some diversity to my Canadian holdings, over the last 5 years I've held VUS, VFV and VEF. VEF is about 11% of the portfolio. The 2 US ETFs have outperformed VEF almost 2 to 1.
My question is do you think it's necessary to have EAFE exposure? I'm thinking of selling VEF to raise cash so I'm ready for the next dip in north American markets. Thanks for all of your great advice over the years. cheers
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on June 14, 2017
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