Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,
My son is taking a break from active stock picking and has gone with this ETF model: VUS(15%), VBU(5%), VCN(22.5%), VAB(5%), VI(22.5%). His investing horizon is very long (10-20 years). Your thoughts on the individual ETFs? How about sector & geographic diversity? Any other concerns?
Thanks!

Q: Hi Team,
I was hoping you could help explain something. I own a five-year corporate bond ladder. This year to date the value of my bonds have fallen 0.91% (which on its own is fine as I hold the bonds to maturity). I am unclear why my bonds would underperform VAB (up 3.56%) and CBO (down 0.16%) in the same timeframe.

I realize VAB has a longer duration on average than my ladder or CBO. Credit quality may be better in both funds, and mine are typically in the BBB range. But is there any other reason why bond funds should outperform specific bonds in a ladder? Is there a scenario where a bond ladder will outperform the bond funds?

Finally, is there any advantage to owning bonds in a ladder at all?

Thank you. Michael

Q: I am looking to invest about $200K (non registered) for a minimum of 5 years into a moderate growth couch potato type portfolio. I am 5 years from retirement. I am considering the following portfolio and would like to know if you would agree with these ETFs and distribution.
XIC or VCN 25%, VUN 25%, XEF 20%, XEC 5%, VAB 15%, CBO 10%

Q: My son is in his mid-thirties and has very limited time available to actively follow/trade the markets. He is looking for a simple, passive investment portfolio with very broad exposure, a modest dividend focus, and that is rebalanced, ideally, once a year. Can you comment on the following proposed portfolio and allocations, assuming about $100k? Are there any alternatives he should consider? Should he modify his approach in a TSFA/RRSP? Thanks.

VAB - 20% (Canadian bonds)
VCN - 15% (Canadian equity)
VDY - 15% (Canadian dividend)
VXC - 50% (Global equity excluding Canada)