skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hello,
My portfolio mentioned that I need to add more international exposure to my portfolio. Can you suggest some good international ETF(s) or individual stocks that would be good for me to help balance my portfolio?
Read Answer Asked by Ryan on September 10, 2019
Q: As a follow up to my question on July 30 re International ETF's.
I have quite a significant shift to perform. Reduce Canadian by 30% and increase International by 30% . You gave examples of international ETF's including XEF and ZDI. Did you purposely leave out China especially given the recent tone with the US or would XEC be a decent hold as well? Maybe 1/3 in each ETF?
Is this a good time to start the switch over or would you wait a bit to see where all the markets are heading? This would mainly be for non registered accounts and gather only one layer of withholding tax which is creditable.
Thanks
Jeff
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on August 15, 2019
Q: I need to increase international exposure by 30% and decrease Canadian by the same amount.
Could you list 3 international ETFs that would be most tax efficient for each of RRSP, TFSA and a non registered accounts.
Thanks
Jeff
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on July 30, 2019
Q: For a ten year investment, what would you recommend as your top three ETFs for international equities (i.e. non-US and non-Cdn equities) from a risk-reward standpoint? Does your recommendation change if the ETFs are to go in a registered or non-registered account? Dividends are not necessarily an objective. The ETFs can be from a Canadian or a US firm (i.e. Vanguard, iShares, BMO, etc.).

Thank you for this great service!
Read Answer Asked by Dale on July 05, 2019
Q: I am looking at increasing my international exposure by purchasing ZDH or ZDI. Have some confusion about withholding tax. From prior question relating to withholding tax that someone else had your reply referred to layers of taxation. ZDH basically just holds ZDI. If ZDI pays withholding tax from international investments and pays dividends in Can$ then what would be the benefit of purchasing ZDH over ZDI as tax is already withheld and both pay in Can$?
Read Answer Asked by Betty on May 21, 2019
Q: Hi 5i team, Regarding my question on Apr 26 on foreign properties to be reported on T1135 to CRA, your answer was “If you are buying Canadian-based ETFs that hold foreign securities, then no. If the ETFs are US-based (US domiciled, US management companies) then yes.” Please expand and clarify your previous answer so I am not making assumptions. Are you saying if I buy ETFs from Vanguard or Blackrock then they are considered ‘foreign’? How about if I buy ETFs from Canadian subsidiaries of Vanguard, Blackrock, iShares? Or are you saying all ETFs listed on the Canadian exchanges are Not considered as ‘foreign’? Examples would be useful. Thanks for the clarification.
Read Answer Asked by Willie on May 06, 2019
Q: Hi, could you please recommend:
A global dividend equity ETF
A global high dividend equity ETF
A US dividend ETF
A US high dividend equity ETF
In all cases traded on the TSX, also hedged to $CDN is preferred.
Deduct as many credits as required.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Gary on October 24, 2018
Q: Hello 5i,
I currently hold both of the above ETF's at approximately 4.90 % (ZDI) and 5.5% (CYH). My primary concern is income along with diversification. However, I was wondering if you feel I am well-served by having both at a total of 10.5 % of my PF? Is there an alternative approach that you would recommend? Pare down to just one or switch to something else altogether, or stay the course? In particular, I would be interested in some alternative suggestions for my international exposure given my focus on income.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide.
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on September 14, 2018
Q: Disregarding the yield, would you buy the 2 country-specific ETFs or stick with the international ETF. I understand this is an apples vs. oranges type of question. Over a longer term, would there be a growth advantage with ZCH and XID over ZDI. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by ANDY on August 21, 2018
Q: Hello,
Needing confirmation about withholding taxes.

European/International stocks are held in a Canadian "wrapper" within TAXABLE account then some websites say we can get dividend tax credit and others say we cannot. Confused.

For which type of account account should I buy above two holdings where dividend taxes can be mitigated?

Thanks!

Read Answer Asked by Arzoo on June 27, 2018
Q: Hi team, I am looking to add some international diversification to my monthly income portfolio. I am looking for monthly income with some potential for capital appreciation. Do any of these funds overlap with each other? Which of these funds or combination of funds would be best for a non-registered account?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Nancy on June 12, 2018
Q: I am a senior and rely on my dividends for income in a RIF. I would like to know what I should do with ZWE, I own a 4.8% position and I own ZDI 6% position. DO I sell one and combine? I have a balanced income portfolio of 5i approved stocks with a 10% weighting in ZWH. Thanks for all the help, I use you for 99% of my decisions. Great job on the new web sight. Gary
Read Answer Asked by Gary on November 27, 2017
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!