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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: CIF 823 is the last remnant from the portfolio of my former financial advisor. How would you assess this mutual fund? Would an ETF (or several) be a preferred replacement?
Your input is always appreciated!
Read Answer Asked by Sigrid on April 10, 2019
Q: For international developed equity I own VEF and the asset allocator is suggesting VIU. Is there enough of a difference between these two for me to switch?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on April 02, 2019
Q: Hi - looking for recommendation for ETF recommendations within my TFSA. 40% of TFSA will be for this ETF mix and 60% is in your Balanced Equity model. Long term investment horizon for me as in mid 30s. Any recommendations?
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 27, 2019
Q: I need raise money from my cash account.
Current dividends have been paid.
What would you sell first, second, third,4th, etc.?

Thank you ian
Read Answer Asked by ian on March 22, 2019
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan and team,
Could you provide me with your top 3 ETF's for the US, listed in Canada as well as the US for an RRSP & LIRA accounts as well as 3 International/World ETF's for the same accounts, taking into consideration any withholding taxes that may apply or not.
Thanks as always for your great service, much appreciated
Ivan
Read Answer Asked by Ivan on January 30, 2019
Q: I have about $10,000 I would like to get some non-U.S., foreign exposure with. Maybe an ETF or 2, a dividend would be great but not if it takes away all the growth. Would you recommend China, India or Europe? I know it will limit my choices but I would like to purchase it in Canadian dollars. Thank you so much :-)
Read Answer Asked by Jill on January 22, 2019
Q: Hi.

Comparing Global ETFs (XEF, VXC) [7-year AARR ~6.3%] versus MFs (RBF1067, RBF1370, MAW120, AIM1593) [10-year AARR net MER ~10%].

Hard to compare these with the tools I have at my disposal, but it appears that smart management of Global investments maybe be worth the MER ding. Your thoughts?

Haven't owned in MF in years, but maybe it makes sense here...

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 29, 2018
Q: What are your favorite europe ETF , would probably split 5% of the portfolio (150 000$ total portfolio in RRSP) between 2-3 to get better exposure (euro zone vs euro+uk)(large vs total market)
No hedge etf. 7-10 year horizon

Also, with 30% us , 5% china, 3 % india, 5 europe, 3% XAW, 40% canada, where would you suggest to invest the remaining 14%?

I was thinking 5% japan etf, 3 % frontier etf, 6% basket of EM (to cover taiwan, south korea with minimal china, russia, turkey and brazil allocation)

I have plenty time to manage, so not an issue, but would probably only rebalance occasionally (if worth the fees)
Read Answer Asked by Olivier on October 18, 2018
Q: Just sold mutual funds and want to transition to low fees ETF's for the portion of my portfolio outside of Canada. It is for my RRSP, 15 years from retirement. I was thinking SPY / XEF and VEE for the equities side. Do you have something better to propose? I would need help for the fixed income portion, 1 or 2 ETFs please. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Bernard on October 10, 2018
Q: Hi 5i - I have some new money to put to work and would like to round out my Canadian portfolio with some US and International ETFs. Currently I have some XSP and nothing else outside Canada. Can you provide some suggestions and an example weighting for an investor looking 20 years out with tolerance for risk? Thanks, Neil
Read Answer Asked by Neil on September 25, 2018
Q: Hi,

For a long term position ~ 10% of total portfolio, with broad international equity exposure outside North America, currency not really a factor, was considering XIN vs VXUS vs XEF.
1) preference of three or worth it to purchase more than one?
2) other suggestions?
3) any concerns with 10% of portfolio in any of these single ETFs?
Read Answer Asked by John on August 14, 2018
Q: I purchased XEF about a year ago to secure diversify outside North America. I am up all of about 2.3% and can't help thinking there must be an ETF out there that would provide similar geographic diversity (this is my only holding outside NA), with a better return on investment. Can you suggest one with a comparable risk profile and - preferably - dividend? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on July 16, 2018
Q: I wish to get international equity exposure in my portfolio using XEF or XIN, along with XEC for emerging markets. Currently international exposure is negligible.

What do you think an appropriate international weighting would be in a portfolio that is 90% equity/10% fixed income.

I was thinking 15% developed markets (such as XEF) and up to 5% emerging markets (XEC). Thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by Chris on May 03, 2018
Q: Good evening,

Multi-part question.

Had just finished reading ‘The Little Book of common sense Investing’, decide to make the switch, and am beginning to plan my transition to CPD, ZAG, VFV, XEF, VCN, VEE, and XRE, when I come across the new Vanguard products, of which VBAL to me seems the most interesting.

I see the pros of this ETF as being straightforward and dropping from 7 commission fees (re-balancing myself), vs just one trade a year to add money (portfolio currently around $26,000).

Cons: no preferreds or real estate. Less control (e.g they decide the asset allocations).

Do you have an opinion on this ETF?

Not sure the yield on VBAL but am guessing 2.5-3% maybe? Any idea?

Also, If I go ahead with VBAL would you give it some time to settle down (trading looks a little erratic), or is that volatility purely a product of price changes of its holdings already?

Thanks!

Read Answer Asked by Jeff on February 02, 2018
Q: Can I have your opinion and comparisons on these 3 international ETF for a long term core holding, to compliment VIG in an RRSP, which is best and why. No international exposure at the moment. I understand that XEF and ZEA both track the same index however I'm not sure why XEF would hold its own ETF for a 7% holding.
Read Answer Asked by Nino on August 28, 2017
Q: I am thinking of purchasing these ETF's and wondering if you might give me your thoughts?
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Colleen on August 15, 2017
Q: Hi,

I'm currently only holding XEF(1.5%) and VEE(1%) for international and EM exposure. I'm looking to increase it a bit more maybe to 5%, as the rest of my portfolio is in US or CAD equities. I know you have talked about VXUS as a good international ETF to hold and the expense ratio of 0.11% is hard to beat. When I look at the regional allocation for VXUS, 19.3% is EM, so if we just hold that, would we even need to hold VEE? What do you think would be best to hold to have international and EM exposure? How about VI and VIU (exposure excl. North America)?

Was looking at one or two good quality ETF's to hold. Your thoughts on how they compare?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on May 23, 2017