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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: It has been suggested to me that a high percentage of one's investments should be made outside Canada as this is what most pension funds do since Canada is such a small part of the world's capitalisation. Do you concur with this belief re investing? In Canada, in particular, and in the US, to a lesser degree, I have a wealth of information about specific companies. In the rest of the world it is difficult to obtain good information and to buy except through ADR's. Thus my best way to invest is through Mutual Funds or ETF's. It seems to me when I look into Global ETF's that none that I could find matched the long term performance of MAW150. Since I tend to hold an investment for a long period of time, short term fluctuations in value are of little concern. My biggest concerns are the MER of 1.74% per annum and the possibility that Mawer will not match future performance with past performance. Is there an ETF that has a good track record or a different Mutual with a low MER that matches or beats MAW150? If MAW150 is the best, then based on your response, I may purchase up to 25% of my assets in it. With this change in asset mix approximately 50% of investments will be outside of Canada. Thank you. I value your opinion very much.
Read Answer Asked by ED on January 17, 2017
Q: I am considering one of Vanguards developed Asian Pacific developed countries etf. They are vah or veh. veh is hedged. Which do you prefer for a 5 year hold? I am a conservative investor and I am some what concerned about the Canadian dollar. Which would give the better performance over the indicated time frame? Thanx.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on October 17, 2016
Q: Now that the Brexit vote uncertainty has diminished a bit, would it be a good time to add to European market exposure? Presently hold ZWE for income. Would you add to ZWE or open a position in another etf? If so, which etfs would you recommend for income? Which for growth? Possible ZDI ?Looking at 2-3 year time frame. Many thanks for the terrific service.
Read Answer Asked by Don on July 25, 2016
Q: Given yesterday’s UK referendum result, I expect there will be widespread panic and big declines on markets worldwide on Friday. I’m guessing your immediate advice will likely be “don’t panic, do nothing, wait and see how events unfold, etc”. In my specific case however, while I was expecting the “remain” side to win, I was also fearful and preparing for the worst just the same to the point that I am now 50% in cash. That is a lot of dry powder and I plan to start buying first thing Friday morning and into the coming days. What advice would you give someone who has been “doing nothing” for a while and is now looking to put sidelined cash to good use. Where do you think the best opportunities will be (both Foreign and domestic) to pick up specific names (or ETFs) that will get beaten up in the coming days worse than they likely deserve. Please provide a few names or ETFs for someone looking to be opportunistic on this occasion.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on June 24, 2016
Q: Is the etf VE okay in my cash savings (taxable) account? There is no more room in my TFSA.
Based on my research, the inception date for FEZ is Oct 15, 2002. The inception date for VE is June 30, 2014. Loblaws became buyable on the stock market January 18, 1956. What is the similar date for GUD? From, Patti.
Read Answer Asked by Patti on June 16, 2016