Investment Q&A

Q: For international exposure in my portfolio - what would you consider the best ETF's for this. I presently own VEU (at around 10% of the portfolio) as I already have about 35% of portfolio in the US. Are there better options to get international exposure? What percentage of international exposure outside the US would be a good target?
Thanks for all your insights.

Q: My international holdings (ex-US) currently include positions in Germany, broader Europe, and Japan. I am specifically considering initiating or adding to positions in China-focused ETFs, such as MCHI (MSCI China), FXI (FTSE China 50), and KWEB (China Internet).
I would appreciate your perspective on the following:
- Geopolitical Stability: Given what appears to be a more predictable and stable global posture from China relative to the current erratic US Administration , do you view Chinese equities as a viable "hedge" or a diversifying force against U.S. domestic policy risk?
- Trump is to meet Xi in Beijing May 14-15. Given the erratic nature of relations, is it more prudent to initiate positions now while valuations are compressed—particularly in KWEB, which remains down ~17% YTD—or wait for clarity following the meeting?
- ETF Selection: Between the broad exposure of MCHI, the large-cap/SOE focus of FXI, and the tech-heavy KWEB, which vehicle do you prefer for a 12-to-24 month horizon? Furthermore, are there other US-listed China ETFs (e.g., ASHR for A-shares) that you believe offer better risk-adjusted exposure? :ao:

Q: I need to move most of my investment funds to high yielding stocks or funds. I am thinking in terms of managed ETF’s that pay elevated dividends, I also know they generate these via covered calls.

I already own JEPQ and previously JEPI. I would appreciate a list of 10 similar investments (if you can find that many) that have solid game plans and management to continue to deliver the same level of dividend for the next 3 - 5 years.

Thanks.

Q: Hi
I just saw a question regarding bonds. It is probably evident that I don[t understand bonds very well. But, I was wondering why you would recommend xbb rather than something like xsb. I know one is short term and one mid term, but I don't knowwhen to use each one
thanks

Q: What are your thoughts on ORBX ETF as a method to invest in this area. I already have a slightly underweight position in MDA Space Ltd and was looking to increase exposure in this sector and diversify more. Would there be a better alternative to achieve this? Either a couple of other stocks or a better ETF focused on this sector? Any thoughts?

Q: Thoughts about DRAM etf?

Q: REMX and REXC Could you compare these two, and is there a preferred one?

Q: In your opinion do you think TQCD and XDIV are tax efficient enough to hold in a CAD NonReg account? They appear to outperform XIU and VCE.

Q: Hello, I have a small position in above 3 ETFs. Since my portfolio is ~ 60% stocks and I am 73, I am searching for a couple CDN and US bond ETFs . I was looking @ XHY but you have issued a sell ..
How about 2-3 corporate and 2-3 Government US and CDN ETF's, please.?
Thank you
Carlo

Q: I’d appreciate your opinion on the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). I suspect I may have missed a good entry point for the S Korean market as EWY is up nearly 70% YTD as of early May, hitting record highs above $160.
This rally appears to be a "perfect storm" driven by the global semiconductor cycle and South Korean companies (notably Samsung and SK Hynix). Although a little late, before initiating a position in EWY and/or its major components, I ask your insight on:
- Technical Extension: With EWY trading significantly above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages and the RSI signaling overbought territory, do you view this as a "blow-off top" or the start of a multi-year re-rating?
- Structural Reforms: To what extent is the government's "Corporate Value-Up Program" and the reduction in the "Korea Discount" providing a permanent floor for valuations? Is this a structural inflection point that justifies buying even at these levels?
- Risk/Reward: Would you consider the high momentum but "expensive" EWY over ETFs covering other regions, e.g. China or India?
- Outlook: For a minimum 2–3-year hold, is it more likely than not that I will see a significant pullback (10-15%) before further upside, or does the AI tailwind make waiting for a "dip" in South Korean AI-related companies a losing strategy?
I am not keen on chasing performance, but I recognize the demographic and technological strength of South Korea, especially after recently attending a med and science conference there. Would you initiate a modest position now, or is EWY a "wait for a pullback" candidate in your thinking? :ao:

Q: 2:15 PM 5/5/2026

Hello Peter.

I was quite interested to read Joseph's question today, May 5th and to study your answers and recommendations. It brought my attention the Hamilton Covered Call "MAX" ETFs which have attractive yields.

We have owned large positions in Canadian banks and utilities for decades mainly for the divided income but have never ventured to try covered calls on them so I was interested in HMAX and UMAX as a way of easing into this strategy to watch and learn about it without getting into the complexities of trading. We have always been buy-and-hold forever investors.

Questions

1. You said "Our covered call exposure is specifically to add tax-deferred income (ROC distributions)" so could you give some details on just what the distributions are and how they are taxed.... dividends, ROC, other?. Do the dividend incomes on the shares in the funds flow directly to the owner [me] as part of the distributions of the fund shares.

2. I presume that HMAX and UMAX are all Canadian for income tax purposes. Does this apply also to EMAX which is 79.7% in US? I do not want to own US stocks with all the taxation complexities and T1135.

3. Could you suggest a Canadian Covered Call ETF focused just on Canadian pipelines, midstream, and oil and gas production

Thank you........... Paul K.

Q: Hello 5i,

We have a combined position of 2% with XBM (25%), MP, 25%) and REMX (50%). Is there a stock or ETF that should be added to this suite as we may be light on copper, nickel, cobalt, or other minerals for battery and AI growth. If we were to increase the combined position to 3% or 4%, would you increase one more over the others?

Thank you
D&J

Q: hello 5i:
could you do a head to head comparison of SPYI (knowing you hold) and QDVO please.
From the perpective of a retired, moderate risk investor. I note there are no questions on QDVO.
thanks
Paul L

Q: Is there any nasdaq 100 or s and p 500 index or etf that can be bought in a tfsa account to avoid withholding tax ?Ty

Q: For a short time horizon - are there any strategies besides GICs, Government t-bills, HISAs, MMFs or Interest ETFs that you would consider?

Q: The Analytics tells me that I need to reduce the Financial sector by 8%. Currently own BNS (3.5%), BN (1%), X (2.%), TD (4%), and VBAL (17%). Thinking about selling BNS and X or trimming the VBAL. I would appreciate your comments on which approach is better. Thank you

Q: I understand that the VOO is likely to be extremely tax efficient.
If I only had a USD NonReg account would you expect VFV and VSP to be just as tax efficient as VOO?

Q: What is your view of holding IAUI etf as a portion of gold exposure. Thanks, Janet

Q: You have mentioned AIQ many times as AI play. What about DTCR ? Seems to have better performance numbers but seems to have 25% in REITs which own land for data centres. For 25% REIT, the yield of 1% seems a little low.

Q: This has a 4% weighting, and I have held it mostly for income purposes since retirement in 2018. I have never been really compelled to be overly worried about its dividend payouts at different levels, quarterly. However, the last payout was very low at 0.0957. Can you see why it was such a drop, and if it indicates a change in their payout plans? As always, thanks for your fine service.