Investment Q&A

Q: I am extremely low in International and US stocks, I would like to have an ETF for each that I can put in either my RRSP or TFSA. I know you have mentioned in the past that you like IWO for small caps, is that still the case or is there a better choice.
Thanks for all the excellent help

Q: I am looking to get some broad exposure in my portfolio outside of Canada and the US. I came across the CIEI ETF and it seems to have a good mix of solid names (and some dividend payments) from what I can see online (https://www.cibc.com/en/personal-banking/investments/etfs/international-equity-index-etf.html). I am looking for a 10+ year hold and it would be in a TFSA. My only issue is that is a new ETF - and was wondering if it would be suitable for a 10+ year hold or if there is something more established that you would suggest.

Thanks and all the best for a safe and profitable 2022 - really like your service!

Q: I'm retired without a pension and have done fairly well investing with the help of 5i over the past 4-1/2 years. My question is regarding diversification and has a few parts.
1. Do you think it's important to be invested in Europe, Asia and the Emerging Markets?
2. If so would ETFs be the safest way to get decent access to those markets or individual equities?
3. Please suggest 1 or 2 EFTs/equities (your preference) for each.
Thank you for your direction.

Q: I would like to invest using only 4 ETFs. One for short bonds, one for all Canadian stocks, one for emerging markets, one for the whole US market, and one for the developed world (as wide as possible) excluding Canada and the US.

Which ETFs should I use?

Thanks

Q: My 50 year young daughter is adding $100,000 to a balanced $1m conservative portfolio. Which 2 or 3 etfs (your suggestion or ours) would you suggest that fit a post pandemic world.

Q: Hi, 5i team
What are your opinions about emerging market and Europe? Are they attractive based on current value? Could you recommend some ETFs both in Canadian & US dollars?
Do you recommend to buy now to hold about 1 or 2 years?

Thanks a lot!

Q: I currently have about 20% of my portfolio in ETFs which track the MSCI EAFE index (XEF & XFH - about 10% , ZDM - about 10%) . I noticed that Vanguard's international developed fund (VI) tracks the FTSE developed all cap index.

I am wondering whether it would be beneficial, for diversification purposes, to sell ZDM and replace with VI, so that I have a better balance for my international core funds. These two funds seem to have similar compositions, so I am wondering whether this would really make a difference.

What is your view?

Thank-you for your excellent advice

Q: Which is the better investment & why?

Q: My international allocation currently resides with VI and VIU. What are the downsides of switching these two for VIDY for more yield?
Thx.

Q: Which ETF ex North America, would you recommend for global exposure?

Q: Do you think these 3 ETFs, provide a diversified enough portfolio? I plan to invest equal amounts in these ETFs and re-balance every year. They would be held in a RRSP, RESP and TFSA. Does it matter in which accounts I hold these ETFs? I plan to supplement my income I receive when I retire. I am basically looking to put together a portfolio that I know will be around long after I die. I'm only 30, but I've been listening to John Bogle and Warren Buffett speak about what they believe individual investors should do with their money.

Q: Hello what do you think of this product for ex-North America exposure? On iTrade it shows a plus 4% dividend and is full of what appears to be large successful companies. Would you be ok with a 5-10 % holding? I am fine with it’s hedge factor. Thank you. Bill

Q: Hi 5i,
I would like to have international exposure with a time horizon of 5 years. Would you use an indexed- CAD hedged ETF? or not?
Would you please give me your opinion on VEF, VI and VVO ?
Thanks

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!

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!