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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: Good afternoon, Please recommend your 3 favourite international equity ETFs (without US holdings) and your 3 favourite US market ETFs. I already own QQQ which represents approx. 10% of my RRSP (in US dollars). Further, what are your thoughts on investing in the US market in US dollars (converted using Norbert Gambit) vs. Cnd. dollars? Is there an approach which has generated better results? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by bernie on June 07, 2024
Q: ETF questions
1. When we look at charts or reports about the performance of an ETF, does the return include dividends received and net of all fees? For example. The TSX composite had an annualized return of about 5% over the past 10 years but it also pays a dividend of approximately 3%. Is the annualized return a total of 5% (as dividends are included in this figure and are re-invested) or is it about 8%.
2. To minimize duplication, which ETF (orETFs) would you suggest for international exposure if an S&P ETF is already planned for (or does it suffice to have US and Canadian ETF exposure as they are quite broad and many US companies already have international exposure).
Thanks again.
Read Answer Asked by Walter on December 22, 2023
Q: From a global perspective would you favor European, US or international stocks/EFTs to invest at this time ? I would like to diversify my portfolio a little better and therefore sell some Canadian ETFs and purchase European, US and international ETFs .
Thank you . Miroslaw
Read Answer Asked by Miroslaw on August 18, 2023
Q: When lookking at the ROI over 3-5-10 years. The S&P has always done better than the others. When looking at the strength of their economy and the investment that US companies put in R&D how are they gonna loose their 1st position as a super economy power? and foremost and this is the question: Why invest elsewhere? Canada with merely 5% of the world economy? Europe has been lagging since I started investing 40 years ago where else? China? gotta be kidding. Seriously why spread our investments worldwide when the best is our neibours? Just buy the S&P and wait still forever.

Thanks

Yves
Read Answer Asked by Yves on June 26, 2023
Q: What ETF's do you recommend for dividends and growth for:
1. Canadian coverage
2. US coverage but in $CAD.
3. Europe coverage but in $CAD
4. Asia coverage but in $CAD
Read Answer Asked by Ron on June 05, 2023
Q: TFSA top up for 2023, Hold BNS and VE.ca etf in the account. Bet on a stronger europe recovery or tried and true CAD bank. Yes yes apples and oranges etc. But what is your guess apples or oranges for the recovery....fusion of income and balanced portfolio follower. 3-5 yr hold.
Read Answer Asked by Tom on January 04, 2023
Q: HI,
I'm low in my Consumer Defensive and Industrials sectors as well as my International allocation.
What ETF's and stocks (3-5) would you recommend for a long-term hold?
Thanks,
Camille
Read Answer Asked by Camille on November 28, 2022
Q: I need to increase the overall international exposure in my portfolio (currently 15%).
I am considering using VE as a simple way to increase international exposure to 30%.

1) Is VE appropriate for this purpose?
2) What other ETF(s) might be suitable?
3) Given VE is down 20% in the past 12 mos would you make a single large purchase, or several smaller ones over time?
Thanks,
Trevor
Read Answer Asked by Trevor on October 28, 2022
Q: Peter,

I look at the S & P 500 index as the gold standard for performance measurement. It has been my theory that any portfolio performance should be compared to this index first. Do you agree?

For diversification purposes please list your top 5 indexes & associated ETF codes that you feel would be relevant whenever looking at an equity portfolio. This can be anywhere in the world. { Fixed Income I strictly take a ladder approach.} I would be interested in ones with a lower correlation , if that is realistic. It may not be.

Thank you

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on May 11, 2022
Q: Hello 5i,
I am a value invester with a mix of equities and ETF's. I have done well with VGT and am up $8,000. As I look for dividends I am looking to sell VGT and buy ZWT. Also exchanging XHYy for ZWH, XTR for ZWC and VE for ZWE. Some are underwater but not by much. $75,000 is involved altogether with these exchanges. Do these changes make sense or should I just leave things as they are. The difference in dividends is nice to have (an extra $300 or more a month) but not really needed.
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on April 25, 2022
Q: For European blue chip exposure with attractive yield, CDN domiciled, for an income account, is ZWP the only/best option or are there alternative on the CDN exchange.

Looking for an etf with close to 1b in assets, with blue chip holdings, a minimum 3% yield to compliment a long term retirement income account
Read Answer Asked by Harry on March 02, 2022