Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i team,

You kindly answered a recent question of mine re: minimizing risk of U.S. estate taxes (I am high net worth investor). I posed the question of emerging markets exposure, and asked you to compare VWO (U.S. situs) versus ZEM (Canadian situs); and you recommended ZEM for avoiding U.S. situs investment. My follow-up question has to do with making a comparison between VEE (the Vanguard Canada emerging markets fund) and ZEM. My understanding is that all ETFs registered to Vanguard Canada (such as VEE) are considered "Canadian situs" investments, even though they hold investments outside of Canada. So here are my two questions:
1. In a comparison between ZEM and VEE, would you recommend one over the other (the goal is Canadian situs investment within my RSP for long-term emerging markets exposure, at least 5 to 10 years).
2. In general, how can one most easily determine whether a security-- whether ETF or individual stock--is Canadian or U.S. situs investment (for estate planning purposes)?

Ted

Q: Greetings,

Hoping you can help me to understand the fundamental differences between these funds and why the US preferred ETFs have significantly outperformed CPD since March.

Thanks

Q: Hello 5i Team:

Thank you for your answer about DGRC today. With hindsight, I shouldn't have included VCIP in the same question! Here it is again as a separate question:

I know from your answers to other members that weighting is personal/that bonds despite all the bad news still play a role in one's portfolio/Short bonds are probably better than long bonds.
I have your Portfolio Analytics service and my input suggests 60 40 split. (Inputting data in PA is a work in progress!!)

With this mind, may I ask this question?

What would your suggestions be for retirees: 40% Fixed income .
All in something like VCIP. Or divide them into different boxes? VSB/VAB/VSC etc., Or some other ETFS?

40% is a lot of money to be in one ETF, no? Or these multi layered ETFs offer enough diversification?

Thanks.

Q: Regarding yesterdays question on Vanguard ETF terminations
Why do you feel it is better to sell before termination? when the commission can be avoided by letting Vanguard distribute the cash to unit holders.

Q: Could I get your view on zpay. It is a relatively new ETF under the BMO banner and managed by Larry Bergman.
It looks like it would provide higher steady income with some growth while providing some downside protection.

Q: Appreciate your comments on the ETF ZAG and the Mutual Fund AIM2143 Emerging Market Class. If you have a better alternative please recommend it.
Thanks.
Clayton

Q: Hello:

It seems b/c DGRC is not heavy on Energy and Financials, it has done better than ZDV/VDY.
Going forward, should one add to one's DGRC position or VDY/ZDV. Out look for energy is still bleak, isn't it?

My main aim is to enhance Dividends, get tax credits in our non RRSP portfolio. Safety is always a concern and I presume all of them offer some safety though not 100% as they are all based on stocks after all.

Also how do these ETFS compare with VCIP which I presume will be safer but less tax efficient and less growth?

Thanks for your service.

Q: Hi Group I have AEM,GLD, FNV,GDXJ in my present Gold holdings, that represents 7% of my portfolio. I would like to go to 10% (your thoughts on moving to 10%) .Should I buy another stock or add to one of my present holdings (GDXJ) is my best performer. I am medium risk investor. Appreciate your comments

Q: Hi 5i Team:
RE: WFH (Work From Home ETF) from Direxion.
This ETF just came out June 25th .. do not see it in your database.
What is your opinion of the theme of this ETF ?
Would be a satellite holding in my portfolio.
Seems to make a lot of sense in the current COVID-19 environment.
Or could you recommend another ETF or stock that you like the prospects of going forward in this new investing environment ?
Thanks, Steve

Q: This is a follow up to my question yesterday about fixed income investments and inflation/ interest rates.

If one is of the view that interest rates will increase, what is your advice about real return bonds, versus regular bonds. Does it make sense for most investors to hold real return bonds in their fixed income portion of their portfolio? If so, what is the maximum percentage of their fixed income portion that you would recommend that real return bonds take? How best should an investor buy fixed return bonds - does an ETF make sense, and which one would you recommend?

Thank you again for your wonderful advice.

Q: Hi group is there an ETF that has most of the Bio Tech Pharma companies that are working on a Vaccine for Covid -19? Thanks

Q: Do you see any need to include real return bonds as part of a fixed income portion of a portfolio? If so what percentage of ones fixed income portion makes sense?
Are there any unexpected risks to holding real return bonds compared to normal bonds? e.g. compared to zag/xbb/vab.

Q: Received Notice Of Termination from Vanguard. Should I sell now ( if possible) or wait until termination date. , Thanks

Q: Good Morning All,
I'm trying to find a largish cap Canadian equity fund or ETF that does not contain any Banks. can you recommend one or more?
Thanks,
Dennis

Q: Hi,
I am wondering what your thoughts are on ETFs that focus on China. As it reopens, do you see any benefit to owning either an ETF, or possibly specific shares, that are expected to grow coming out of Covid? CNXT is another ETF I've looked at, but it is not in your database. My portfolio is about 60% in Canada, the balance in US and I have been focusing on adding more US exposure, mainly in the tech and health care sectors. I also find it interesting that the auto industry in China gained as Covid restrictions eased and am seeing a bit of follow through in the US auto industry, possibly driven by TSLA - but I am not sure why that would be, as I would think it is the last thing anyone would be buying now. If adding more international exposure, what would be a good target percentage and does this make sense at this point in time? Please deduct points as you see fit.
Thanks - your suggestions are always welcome!
Dawn

Q: Hi Group appreciate all your guidance in these turbulent times. Is there an ETF that covers all or most of the companies that are working on Vaccine+ Treatment for Covid-19 Thanks

Q: What are your thoughts on WFH ETF
Can you please give me MER. Is it expensive OR fairly price

Thanks for the great service.

Q: Which company in your opinion would be the best investment in IoT chip market. I saw a report saying that this market would grow to 525.4 billion by 2025. Thanks Ernie

Q: I'm interested in covered calls and note that ZWU, ZWC and ZWH are all down 15-20% YTD.
For an income portfolio, they look very appealing with their 7% to 9% yield.
Would you recommend to bump up the income?
What % of an income portfolio would you recommend?
Can you rank from most to least favourite?

Q: Hi Guys
I own shares in Tobias Carlisles " The Aquires Fund" the symbol is ZIG
This is a Value ETF, small in size and has an MER of around 0.9%
My concern is that it doesn't pay a dividend, I imagine he re invests the dividend proceeds back into the fund?
I was thinking of selling it and replacing it with VVL, this actively managed ETF has an MER of 0.37% and a Dividend of 3.41%
Is it not really compelling Value here on the fundamentals?
I think it trades on a P/E of less than 10x. There might be risk though in some of his Holdings.
If there is a move back into value..this might return 30% or so, or would you still sell it and replace it with XWD.
Thanks!
Gord