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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: Hi Team,
I am putting a note on my personal file for my wife in case I ever become unable to manage our household portfolio. Inspired by Buffet, I thought having 3 years of cash and the rest of the portfolio in something like VCNS, re-balancing annually, would offer a diversified and conservative portfolio that would be very easy to manage and meet ongoing needs.

One of your recent answers suggested not exceeding, I believe, 25% in any one ETF or fund. If I were to follow that rule, I would need to come up with the equivalent of VCNS in a few funds.

Would it make sense to simply tell my wife that instead of buying only VCNS, buy all the constituent ETFs held by VCNS, in the same proportions held by VCNS, and rebalancing annually?

That would mean holding the following:
AB.TO Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond ETF 35.74%
VUN.TO Vanguard US Total Market ETF 15.45%
VBG.TO Vanguard Global ex-US Aggt Bd ETF CAD-H 14.00%
VCN.TO Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap ETF 11.91%
VBU.TO Vanguard US Aggregate Bond ETF CAD-H 10.94%
VIU.TO Vanguard FTSE Dev AC ex Nrth Amer ETF 9.08%
VEE.TO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Mkts All Cap ETF 2.87%

Can you think of a simpler way to go here?

Thank you very much. Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 12, 2019
Q: Have a limited amount to spend and wondered how you view ATCO considering the Kitimat deal. I currently hold ZEF and have noticed that you like VEE. Would I be best off changing to VEE?
Read Answer Asked by Bonnie on March 12, 2019
Q: My 14 month total return for this preferred share etf is - 7.53%. It should provide better downside protection than HAZ , so maybe having a ten year time horizon would be better, and just look at it as part of a diversified income portfolio. Would you step into HAZ at this time if you needed Dividend income?
Thanks Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on March 12, 2019
Q: I've just started contributing to an RRSP this year. I would like to implement an indexing strategy for the most part since I wont be using the money for 30+ years. I've only looked at vanguard so far: VOO, VFV, VSP and maybe VOOG. My question is, would it be better to use a canadian fund etf that tracks the s&p 500 like vfv, or would it be better to use one in american dollars like voo. If I do go with Canadian, should I go with a hedged one such as VSP? Or perhaps a mixture?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Danielle on March 12, 2019
Q: Could you please suggest one or two currency hedged bond ETFs to compliment ZAG. This would be for a long term core position. I am trying to slowly increase my bond exposure and my only other holding is ZAG. I prefer to ex out currency fluctuations for my bond allocations, hence looking for hedged position. My initial thought was VBU. Your thoughts are always appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Aaron on March 12, 2019
Q: Hi there,

My questions is about xlre and SRET and the degree of risk associated with these 2 stocks. I currently have xlre and was thinking taking 20% of my position and investing in SRET - 1. for the higher dividend and 2. for the international exposure. Both would be held in a 401K and i only pay 2.95 a trade so taxes and trading fees aren't really a consideration.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by kelly on March 12, 2019
Q: Is there an etf focused on companies in China with domestic focus (ie vs exporters) ? Tsx listed would be preferred. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 12, 2019
Q: Given the relatively high economic growth projections out of China, India and Indonesia, is there a single ETF that focuses its portfolio almost exclusively on these three countries? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on March 11, 2019
Q: I currently hold Fairfax India and Faifax Africa. I consider them long term investments but I’m concerned about recent performance as well as (mainly) the longer term grind of the high management fees. I want direct exposure to growing populations and economies for a multi decade Rrsp.

I have the same questions for both (please deduct accordingly):

1. What would be your preferred investment for a multi decade Rrsp, for exposure to Africa: FAH, or an ETF, or something else? If something else, what would it be? Why?

2. Same questions for India and FIH.

Thanks you for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 11, 2019
Q: Hi there, it seems like more and more commentary is stating we are in late cycle. Assuming this means that we will soon see a recession in the next 12-18 months, would it make sense to hide out in a low volatility ETF for the time being? It seemed to have held up pretty well in the 2018 Q4 drop. What are your thoughts regarding this strategy and between ZLU and ZLB which would be preferred to be in, or would you split your portfolio 50/50 for diversity? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 11, 2019
Q: Good afternoon,
I began building an Investment Account with the ETF's approx 10% weight each. I added CGX(for Dividend) and a GIC when I was unsure of what to do.
I realize the overlap with XDV;XIU;CDZ; and the Royal Dividend Mutual Fund. What do you recommend I do with the overlap? Diversification? I would like to begin to add individual stocks. Long term horizon. Have RRSP and maxed TFSA.
Growth and medium risk profile. Thanks Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 11, 2019
Q: Hello I was wondering if you know of any ETF's like the ZEB for banks that would represent the insurers either traded in the US or Canada that you would recommend for a long term hold in and RRSP. DRIP eligible preferred.
Read Answer Asked by Kolbi on March 09, 2019
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