Investment Q&A

Q: I am looking to diversify outside of North America. The iShares EEM is an option. Would Vanguard or BMO have a good option as well?

Q: Hi, I was made aware of a gap (The "Korea Gap") in my international ETF strategy based on your ETF Update model portfolios that I believe is worth sharing.

The "Korea Gap" occurs when an investor mixes ETF providers that use different index benchmarks (specifically MSCI and FTSE). Because these two providers categorize South Korea differently, an investor can inadvertently end up with 0% exposure to the world's 10th-largest economy.

MSCI (Used by iShares XEF): Classifies South Korea as an Emerging Market. Therefore, it is excluded from XEF (Developed Markets).

FTSE (Used by Vanguard VEE): Classifies South Korea as a Developed Market. Therefore, it is excluded from VEE (Emerging Markets).

The result is if you hold only XEF and VEE, South Korea effectively disappears from your portfolio!

In 2025, this meant missing out on the massive "HBM (High-Bandwidth Memory) Craze" led by Samsung and SK Hynix, which drove the KOSPI to record highs.

Portfolio Combo | Provider | Where is Korea? | Avg. MER
XEF + VEE | Mixed | Missing (0%) | 0.24%
XEF + XEC | MSCI | XEC (Emerging) | 0.25%
VIU + VEE | FTSE | VIU (Developed) | 0.24%

I'll personally be replacing my VEE with XEC to hold the MSCI Blackrock combination.

In the XEF + XEC combo, South Korea makes up about 12-13% of the Emerging Markets (XEC) slice. In the VIU + VEE combo, it makes up about 5-6% of the Developed (VIU) slice. This means the iShares combo actually gives you a "heavier" bet on Korea.

Q: For investments outside North America what Mutual Funds or ETFS would you recommend given specific stocks harder to buy unless you have also EDRS to recommend

Q: Hi,

I have $50,000 to invest in my TFSA for 2026.

Could you provide your top 5 ETFs to invest in for US/Canadian, Top 3 foreign ETFs. and Top 3 dividend ETFs.

Holding for approx. 10 years. Risk level Moderate to high.

I have an ETF in SMH that has 108% ROI in the last 2 years. Would you advice on putting more cash into SMH?

Thank you

Q: My portfolio by region is Canada 58%, US 37%, International 5%. It is recommended that I put my international to 25%. What are 5 stocks/ETF's that you would recommend that would increase my international exposure? Industry-wise, I am heavy on financials and energy already, and I prefer a balanced portfolio. Thanks!

Q: I am considering VEE within a Non-Registered Account and wondering about the consequences in doing so.

- Regarding the impact on my OAS clawback: I don't believe that VEE's current 2.26% dividend is grossed up like Canadian dividends. However, it would be treated like regular income and there is also a slight withhold tax. So to me net-net, with focus on its affect on the OAS clawback, it would appear that holding VEE in this account would have a slight edge compared to holding a Canadian dividend-payer. Would this be correct?

- Regarding Tax Form T1135: Vanguard is a U.S. company, but VEE trades on the TSX. Does VEE need to be included when considering Foreign Income Verification on T1135 ? Or does the fact that it trades on the TSX exempt it?

Q: Wanting to diversify my holdings to include international markets.

Could you please recommend an ETF for India, Japan, Europe and emerging markets.

What percentage do you recommend to be outside North America?

Thanks Dave

Q: This ETF share price is sitting at a pretty lofty all time high. Looking at its history, after a run up, it has always had a substantial pull back. Can you comment on the factors you think have led to its current level and whether you think it is still investable here? Thank you.

Q: I don’t have any international ETF. Can you please suggest 2 to 3 ETF

If you need to buy one ETF which one would you recommend to buy.

Thanks for your excellent service

Q: I currently have only limited representation in my portfolio of International markets (a few ADR's and a few ETF's). In an uncertain world, I understand it is difficult to have a high degree of confidence in what economies may do well or poorly at present, however I would appreciate your best efforts!

I am interested in 3 ETF's that you believe would show growth >5% over the next 5 years; ones that would be suitable in a "balanced" portfolio verging on a "growth" portfolio. I already own VEE and XEF.

I would also appreciate 3 specific foreign publicly traded stocks (accessible to Canadians via ADR's or markets) that fit nicely in the "growth" category. I already own ING, RACE, ASML and NBIS.

Thanks very much for your insights.

Dave

Q: Could you give me three Canadian and three US
ETFs for international exposure.

Q: I need to add more global allocations to my portfolio. Can you suggest three Canadian and three U.S. ETFs?

Q: Emerging markets sure seem to be emerging from the doldrums. What do you see as the short and long term futures here? What ETFs to you recommend in both CAD and USD? Are there any particular parts of the world you would focus on & is there a specific index that covers the emerging markets?

Thanks

Paul

Q: My stock allocation for Canada and US combined is close to 90 per cent.
I’m very pleased with my portfolio growth and I have your team to thank for the advice and suggestions. In my portfolio analysis, your suggestion is for me to have 30 per cent allocated to international stocks. Since the vast majority of your advice and reports pertain to Canadian and to a lesser extent American stocks, how do I gain the expertise and suggestions having to do with international investing? Is it really a concern or can I accomplish steady growth without the full 30 percent international diversification? Thanks

Q: I would like to increase my international exposure to the stock market. Can you suggest some ETFs that meet that criteria. Moderate risk level.

I have seen VXUS recommended a lot, so I am considering that. Just want to have 2 more choices so I can compare before buying one of them.

Q: Can you suggest a list of best emerging market ETFs Traded on TSX in CDN$ and on US exchange in US$.

Can you also suggest list of ETFs with defense companies

Q: Emerging Markets, Developed Markets, Europe or Bonds. Which represents a buying opportunity now? Which does one need to wait for a pullpack before buying ETF in these areas?

Q: I listened to a CIBC webcast today outlining the fact international equities were cheaper then US and possibly Canadian equities based on P/E ratios and are expected to outperform US and possibly Canadian equities in the near term. Interesting sectors discussed were international infrastructure companies, defense, e-commerce and semi-conductors. Could you provide a few Canadian ETF's that would provide exposure to these themes and list you favourite?
Thanks
Jeff

Q: I believe in international diversification, but I am currently regretting the high weight I have put on US-dollar-denominated holdings in my portfolio. Given Trump's policies to date, his career record of welshing proudly on past debts and the years remaining in his term, I want to lower the weight substantially and invest in more European, British, Japanese, Australian and New Zealand assets instead, assets not denominated in US dollars. What ETFs do you suggest for this purpose?

Q: Can I get recommendations for the following:


Best Europe ETF (cad listed)

Best Emerging Market ETF (cad listed)

Just vanilla etfs, though would like a dividend