Investment Q&A

Q: What do you think of this fund?

Q: Can you please recommend ETF in each index trading on TSX - hedge & unhedge. If not trading in TSX USA will be ok.

S&P500
US Market
Emerging Market
Canadian Market
World Market

Thanks for the great service
Hector

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

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?

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

Q: Hi Guys
Thinking about swapping CPD for HAZ or CYH.
what would be your pick
thanks Gord

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

Q: Looking to bring some growth to a small ($110,000) SDRSP with 5 years before it needs to be converted to a RIF. Could you recommend a tax efficient , medium low to medium risk ETF (or ETFs) that would be used to invest the total portfolio . Income not required until conversion made to a RIF.
Many thanks, as always.

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.

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

Q: I have about $18000 in U.S. funds that I would like to invest in an etf...
Can you recommend the sector that you would select for investing over the next
12 months or do you consider that amount of time too short for your planning?

Q: Hello. Thoughts on these ETFs for yield plays? Thank you.

Q: Is there an etf focused on companies in China with domestic focus (ie vs exporters) ? Tsx listed would be preferred. Thanks.

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.

Q: I am curious to know what percentage of my portfolio should be invested in the Gold sector (Bullion and/or Stocks) if I am a growth investor. Is there are range you would be comfortable with?

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.

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!

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

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.

Q: These all in ones are marketed as simple, low cost, well diversified ETF’s. There are no historical performance results to consider however. I’m considering for very long term hold in pension accounts.
Your thoughts on these products and type of investing strategy they best fit.
Appreciate your feedback.