Investment Q&A

Q: Recently read John Bogle, "Common Sense Investing"

What are my choices for purchasing the s & p 500 index, please compare MER, do all offer a canadian hedge? and what are the pros and cons of buying it hedged to canadian dollar?

thanks

Ernie

Q: Good afternoon, looking to hold a 20% allocation of the American market through ETFs (CAD dollar preferred). Currently hold VUN, and I am looking to add another ETF to complement it - was thinking ZSP or VGG. Any opinions on either of these or any others? Thanks

Q: Hello,
Do you prefer own ZSP over ZDJ now? or should we buy both?
Thanks
Victor

Q: How will ZSP perform with a rising USD?

Q: Hello,
I would like to buy S&P 500 index through ETF. Could you explain the differences among VFV/T, XUS/T and ZSP/T. Which one of them you recommend? Should I convert Canadian dollars to US dollars to buy SPY? Should I buy hedged ETF(S&P 500 index)?
Thanks
Victor

Q: Hi, I am becoming aware of the investment potential in ETFs and that BMO has a number of highly rated ones. When I go onto their site, there is a bewildering array of ETFs and I would just like to ask if there is some sort of preference that you have identified for income generation. Secondly, in respect to the BMO ETFs that are in $US, do they all generate withholding tax? None of them? Some of them and one has to investigate each one to determine if they do or not? Thank you for any suggestions you can make that would point me in a direction for further research.

Q: Hi 5i
I like CMS ETF portfolio choices.
One of your ETFs is SPY.
My question: Does it have to be SPY?
Or can I replace it with ZSP or XSP?
If not, can you let me know your reasons?
shanthi

Q: I am looking at purchasing an etf in the s&p500 and the nasdaq for my son. Is there a preference between the zqq or xqq and same question for the zsp or xsp. They seem to have the same mer but performance seems to be a bit better for the ishares product. Is there a seasonality aspect (time of year) to buy these or is just on dips?

Q: As part of the US component of my equity portfolio, I own the above three funds/ETFs. I would like to reduce the count by one. Which two holdings should I keep and which one should I sell?

Q: Hello,

I assume that VFV and ZSP are identical EFTs provided by Vanguard and BMO respectively. Their MER, asset allocations, sector breakdown are close to identical.

However I notice the following anomalies (VFV vs ZSP):
1) Dividends of $0.238 CAD vs $0.145 with yields of 1.565% and 1.789% respectively. Why the difference in dividends?

2) Portfolio turnover rate of 13.18% vs 31.90%. Why would there be a difference in turnover rate?

3) Benchmark: S&P 500 CAD vs S&P 500 TR CAD. What does the "TR" mean?

3) Market price (NAV?) of $56.33 vs $34.94: Is this due to dividend reinvestment and inception date?

If one were to buy one of these, which would you prefer and why?

Thank you for your excellent and unbiased opinion and service

Q: For US stock exposure, is it better to hold the CAD or USD version. Does the CAD version have and exchange fees. Does it hedge out currency exposure.
Also as its traded on the TSX, I understand its does not count as a US stock holding so no US estate tax exposure for non-registered accounts. Are there other similar ETF's

Q: I've never had any interest in ETFs until yesterday a friend told me the error of my ways. He gave me two names ZSP and ZWB that both have annual combined returns (yield & growth) exceeding 20%. It was a real eye opener for sure.

Do you know where can I find reports on line that rate the performance of most Canadian traded ETFs? As well, do you have other ETF names that are comparable in combined returns with ZWB and ZSP that you can recommend?

Thanks.

Q: I am not comfortable purchasing individual stocks in a small account, with my go to name being ZEB, can you recommend any others that provide the diversification? I'm thinking the US indices hedged back to CAD, is that a good idea and which ETFs would you recommend in that case?

Q: I am looking at moving a significant chunk of our retirement money into either/both the Tangerine Equity Growth Portfolio and the Tangerine Balanced Growth Portfolio in an attempt to follow the 'one fund solution'. What are your thoughts and are there alternative index funds you think may be a better bet. This is my first question (membership was a Christmas prezzie from my dad)!

Q: Hi Peter & Co.

I currently own ZDJ, ZSP & ZQQ. Should I replace these with VUN?

Thanks,

Henry