Investment Q&A

Q: I had a portfolio review many years ago when you did them individually, personally by human! At the time your suggestions were right on and cleaned up my ETF's. Now I have over ten and according to your metrics it should not be so. Given those above, is there anything that is not required? I am up 25%- 150% on all of them. I am happy with all of them. I have a balanced portfolio in all 11 sectors with 44 stocks all doing quite nicely thank you. Following the income portfolio with some of my own additions from 15 years ago. I do not see any major conflicts.I am s a buy and hold dividend investor with some growth ( lightspeed, Leon's).
Thank you for your million dollar service!
Stanley

Q: May I please have the names of 3 or 4 recommended non-North American, non-European ETFs and one European ETF?
With appreciation,
Ed

Q: I am interested in adding more international exposure. Over time, in a haphazard fashion I developed portfolio weights of 4% in ZEM, 2.5% in MAW150; and 1.5% in DXG. To my untrained eye they offer diversity, for growth & stability, to different markets, etc What is your view of these 3 holdings? Would you add to each? Delete any? Due to political risks from trade tensions etc, I am inclined to avoid too much of an exposure to China. Thank you for your excellent service.

Q: Hi,
Looking to replace this emerging markets fund (Pacific) because the MER is close to 3%. What would be a better solution in the ETF world, and is CDN-listed.
It's for a senior and this is their only int'l exposure. Thanks.

Q: I recently purchased Portfolio Analytics and I'm severely underweight internationally.

For international (excluding US) I am thinking VIU and VEE.

Any suggestions on how I should decide an appropriate weighting ratio of these two? Does it make sense to have equal VIE and VEE... more VIE?

Are there other ETFs I should be considering for international exposure?

And finally, these ETFs would make up a substantial portion of my portfolio. Would you suggest buying in one go or over time and if so what timeframe would you suggest?

Thanks for your service.

Q: ZEM is my only emerging markets holding. It has done well recently. Nevertheless, I understand that the rise in commodity prices is what is pushing emerging markets higher. The top ten holdings in ZEM are large , well known corporations like Samsung. Only 7% of the holdings are in basic materials. Are there any emerging market ETFs that would help me to participate more in the commodity price reflation?

Q: I bought ZEC, ZEM & XSU Dec. 24 . They have all done very well & amount to about 7.5% of my portfolio. I wanted to add XAW &/or XMC. Should I replace XSU with XMC or keep both? Will there be too much duplication with these ETF funds? I'd appreciate your comments on these changes.Thanks ,as always. Really enjoyed your "battle of the ETF funds".
Dave

Q: A few questions re best index ETFs for safety, total return and tax efficiency:
(1) S&P/TSX 60 (unregistered account): Is XIU, XIC or another ETF better?
(2) S&P 500 (RRSP/TFSA): What CAN listed ETF is best for long hold: ZSP, XSP or other ETF? If held in an RRSP (ie US dividend tax except), can you recommend the best US listed ETF for the S&P 500?
(3) NASDAQ 100 (RRSP/TFSA): What CAN listed ETF is best: ZNQ, ZQQ or another ETF? Is QQQ the best US listed?
(4) Ex-North America index (RRSP): Can you list the best CAN listed ETF index fund? Would you stick with large caps or all? XEF? VIU?
(5) Emerging market index ETFs (RRSP): ZEM, VEE or other?
(6) MISC: Has HXT, HXS and HXQ permanently resolved gov't issues and are these ETFs safe for long term hold?
Thank you!!

Q: Going forward, how much would you allocate between US/ Canada? What is the minimum you would recommend for international exposure? Was thinking of XEF and/or ZEM?

Thanks for your advice!

Q: Portfolio Analytics shows I still need 35% international funds in order to be balanced. I know it is more tax efficient to place ZEM and XEF in a non-registered account; however, I have room to place $15,000+ in my TFSA. My question is: Do you think it is wise to use TFSA for ZEM (given its potential for higher growth than ZCN) even though the foreign withholding fee is non-recoverable? Or, it is optimal that I find more growth stocks and add ZCN to my TFSA now then wait to purchase ZEM in a non-registered account in 3-6 months time?

Q: I currently own ZEM AND ZSP. Is adding XAW good? If one is going to buy US stocks most likely us tech stocks would one need to buy the ETF XQQ?
Thanks

Q: I am trying to increase my international / US stocks allocation with 1 of a few ETFs. I don't need income but some yield would be nice.
How do you feel about emerging markets for the next few years?
Can you please provide suggestions. Would you recommend a large position say around 15% to be meaningful in the portfolio. Long term buy and hold. Thank you for your help.

Q: Hello
This year, I plan to purchase an emerging market ETF (thank you for the suggestion) for my and my husband's TFSA. My question is - should I put most of the funds in a few lump sums or monthly over a year? Emerging markets seem undervalued compared to other markets and this fund has been steadily increasing which makes me think it will steadily increase over the year.
thanks

Q: Could you suggest another etf that is more concentrated on Asia than ZEM ? Is it a good idea to be more focused on Asia at this time or is broader better?
Thanks
Dave

Q: I'm currently trying to diversify my RIF account for 2021. I've trimmed some over weight holdings to free up some cash. I have NA covered with stocks in Canada and a couple of ETF's for the US but, nothing for the rest of world.
How would you currently rate the above now, hopefully for the coming recovery post COVID. I note, South America is not represented. do I need to consider it separately?
I'm inclined to go with 2 positions @ about 6% ......your opinion please!
All the best to you and everyone at 5i for the new year!

Q: Hi, You already mentionned here that ZEM was more "tax efficient" than VEE, since "there is no US withholding tax" with ZEM. From what I can observe,VEE is only including emerging market stocks (and no ETFs or US stock), could you explain to me why VEE would be less "tax efficient" than ZEM ? Regards,JY

Q: I'm considering buying these two ETFs which will be about 5% of my portfolio in total. Is this too much for emerging market exposure or not enough? The mer for each of them is reasonable but one concern I have is that both have BABA & BABA seems to be out of favour with the Chinese gov't. Is that %age a problem? Has this sector already run too far or does it still have room to grow?
Thanks very much for your advice which has been so helpful during my investment journey. To all the team Happy Holidays.
Dave

Q: In a previous question I asked the following:

I am looking to purchase both XEF and ZEM to increase my international exposure. Any recommendations of percentage allocations to each? Thank You
Answer:
We can't personalize allocations, but if we owned these we would look to 10% XEF and 5% ZEF.

In relationship to your answer, Portfolio Analytics suggests I have 35% in foreign market exposure and the answer given would make up 15% of the 35%. Are there any other ETF's you would suggest to make up the remaining 20%? I realize you don't give personized advise, however I'm looking for a generalization to increase my international exposure?
Thank You

Q: I am looking to purchase both XEF and ZEM to increase my international exposure.
Any recommendations of percentage allocations to each?
Thank You

Q: hello again

For my non canadian and non USA holdings, I have relied almost exclusively on VEA for the last two years with ok results. I'm wondering if the Asian markets ( China, Taiwan, Japan in particular) won't fare better in the coming years than will many other geographics. Do you think it wise to switch to a different ETF and if so, which would you suggest? thanks. Al