Investment Q&A

Q: I'm looking for international exposure with more weighting on consumer staples rather than financials, since we have a lot here in Canada already. The best I can find is "ZLI" from BMO. When I look at the holdings, I recognize very little, and am concerned about the quality of those companies. Sure, an ETF is transparent, but if I have no way to "measure" the quality of the holdings, is this transparency useful? Can you help me out with this? Thank you.

Q: Hello I need to add foreign markets to to my portfolio. I was looking for an Etf in either Canadian or US funds. I was looking for one to mainly target India. One or more that that has more exposure to Japan and Korea. As well as one that's overall balanced that I will put a larger weighting in. If you fell there's a better way about doing this please produced your thoughts.

Regards

Richard

Q: What do you think about a long position in HSBC Holding ABR? Since the bank pays pretty high dividend, would you consider it a good long term income position?

Thanks!

Irek

Q: I am looking at these two stocks. I like the high growth and industry tail winds. Your comments would be appreciated.

Q: I was interested in Bob's question about SSW, so tried to check it out on the internet. My TD Webroker site had no news and elsewhere, I found nothing that would explain the sudden collapse in stock prices - only a bunch of crappy sites that seem to have boilerplate discussions of movements in price, but zero analysis.

Any ideas as to what happened on this stock ? Where can I look to find answers ?

Q: Further to my last, is the stock price decline perhaps related to an anticipated decline in dividend ?? In April the dividend of 13 cents a quarter (down from .38 in January) gave a price of around 6.50, for a yield of 8%. At a price of 5.20, 8% would give a quarterly dividend of 10 cents or so. Would you agree that the market seems to be factoring in a decline in dividend for Q2 ?

Q: The Chart on this Company is down from $ 14.00 to $ 5.11 this year. They have 85 Container Ships on the high seas. Is this an indication of China Slowing, or Overcapacity of Container Ships or Reduced Fees. I know of your Concern about amount of Debt the Company has. What is your view on China's economy at present ? Bob

Q: Would you kindly rank the following bank ADRs: LYG, SAN, IBN, for a the next year or two, and your rationale. They are potential buys within a TFSA. I realize the currency conversion and dividend tax are major drawbacks. But the single digit prices of these ADRs and apparent change in sentiment for the financial sector in Europe, as well as the sentiment in emerging markets, as well as India in particular is currently compelling to me. What are your thoughts. I'm leery of etf's these days, for example XID. Too many piling into etf's may not end well in my opinion. Finally I'm also curious whether your opinion of Fairfax India has become more favourable at all since the last question on it was answered. To me Fairfax India avoids currency conversion and potentially benefits from watsas knowledge and resources. What are your thoughts

Q: Hello,

As a followup to my previous question. I was thinking of adding this to my international portion of my portfolio. My discount broker was giving me warnings about buying this to a registered account. This is sold at an OTC exchange? How come I am able to hold BABA but not this? Many thanks.

Q: Hello, can you please provide your input on NetEase current financial position and future growth opportunities. Thank you.

Glen

Q: Re: Garena (SEA) IPO - Hello, I know this is outside the scope. But just wanted your thoughts on this IPO..looks really interesting. Your thoughts on this is much appreciated. How can small Canadian investors get involved with this?should they?

Q: I typed these 3 companies into the companies addressed box and none showed up - they are from the US on deck watch list - Take Two (TTWO), SORL AUTOPARTS, GPRK GEO PARK. So I went about it this way to ask about them. Could you give me your opinion about them and is it too late to get into them now? Thanks, Dennis

Q: My portfolio mainly consist of Canadian stocks. I would like to purchase two Canadian ETFs, one with exposure to the US and the other with global exposure. Can you recommend a couple for me at this time? With the Canadian dollar being quite low now, do you think it is better to get hedged ETFs?
Thanks, Paul

Q: It seems like the places to be near and mid term are US and Europe for growth and not Canada for the time being. I have exposure in Canada already with Utility and Financial dividend payers which I will continue to hold, could you recommend your favorite ETFs for some exposure to US, Europe and possible Emerging markets if you like the EM.
Also, could you comment on the "Hedged to CAD" ETFs---It seems to me we trade ETFs like stocks through our brokerage accounts in CAD, so why worry what the ETF managers are doing as far as currency is concerned?

Q: Could you recommend 3 good emerging market etf and mutual funds. Thanks

Q: As a 2-5 year investment outside North America what is your opinion of iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EFAV ETF? I currently hold VEE and am wondering if EFAV would be a good compliment. My portfolio is pretty well balanced across sectors and market caps. Many thanks.

Harvey

Q: My portfolio is based almost entirely on your balanced equity but I have two international ETFs, ZDM and ZUE. (only about 7% of the portfolio, total). I have two Canadian ETFs, ZLB (has done reasonably well, +32% in two years) and HAC (up but not really spectacular). It strikes me that I am missing an opportunity to diversify further internationally by moving the two Canadian ETFs. If you agree, can you recommend any to consider? I

Q: May I have your comments on SGI? I don't own the stock and am not planning on buying any but I would like your opinion the company none-the-less. Taking on eBay seems like folly. I have attached a link to a Guardian article which makes an interesting read.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/oct/03/stamp-collecting-firm-stanley-gibbons-annual-pre-tax-loss

Jim

Q: Now that Europe's economic ship appears to be turing around, ( Do you agree with this thesis?) can you suggest a few ways to play Europe? ---I recognize this isn't your bailiwick, but respect an light you can bring to the subject. Thank you.

Q: I would like to ask a question about mutual funds that take a global approach. (Sorry I am a ETF Newsletter subscriber and I do not know where to post a question there so I did it here). According to the high-profile consulting firm, McKinsey & Co., the expected return on NA and western EU will be far worse than 30 years ago. See the link for detail.
(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2016-05-12/millennials-don-t-worry-you-ll-be-able-to-retire).
If it is for the long term, I personally agree with the global approach combined with active management, what do you guys think?
I would like to also ask you for a list of global-approach funds. I remembered you mentioned "Trimark Global Endeavour Fund" in the newsletter. Can you give some more names here or please do it on the next issue? Thanks, Tony.