Investment Q&A

Q: I have the above (ZBK, CJP, VEE, XFH) ETF's making up part of my portfolio in order to gain exposure to international markets and US bank growth as a result of tax cuts, rising interest rates and deregulation. I'm wondering whether i should be making any switches to other ETF's that would be giving me a better overall return (given currency, growht profile, MER, concentration etc.)...or would you switch nothing?

Q: I am heavy canada and have decided to diversify globally with ETFs on my own.
Bought some VE and VIG today off the CMS model portfolio list to start on the market dip today. I dont need ANY Canadian exposure so looking at adding positions in VEE, SPY, IWO. Not really interested in ZWU at 0.71 MER. Any preference on which you would add this week? Other options not on CMS portfolio. Balanced growth equity follower. 5+year time frame.

Q: Hi 5i team,
What are the equivalents to VEE in the Canadian ETF landscape?

Are there others that pay a better dividend?

Thanks,
Andrew

Q: Is this ETF hedged, and does it require the CRA T1135 form if invested in non-registered accounts?

Thanks in advance.
Ed

Q: I currently hold CDZ and VGG in my RRSP. I am looking to add a similar product with more international exposure. Are there any Canadian listed ETFs that focus on European, International, and/or Emerging Market dividend growers?

Thanks!

Q: If the Cdn dollar continues it's downward trend, is it better to own VEF [hedged] or VEE [non-hedged]?
Thanks

Q: I would like to diversify my portfolio with a non US International Equity Fund. I have been considering the Mawer International Equity Fund, but am leery of their MER. What are your thoughts and possible options?

Q: Only have room for one of these in my TFSA. Could you rank them?
Another question. Is there any easy way to find information on a particular investment in previous monthly ETF & Mutual Fund Updates?
Thanks again for all your help.

Q: Good morning.... we are 15 years away before we may need to access our RRSP..
We sold all enegy (although would be okay with one "best of class" or ETF)..
I have a solid mix of similar weightings (BCE,BEP.UN,BNS,PBH,ATD.B,FSZ,SJ,GUD SIS). I would like fixed income/US/International exposure...I will be adding XHY..
I am looking for suggestions for either a few ETF you recommend for US/International exposure...keeping in mind we would not need to withdraw for at least 15 years..and if you think should have a minimum of 5% in energy or alternate AI ETF...

Thanks
Matt

Q: For someone in their early twenties and has 30K in a TFSA, what would be an appropriate amount of stocks to hold, and what would be some of your top suggestions?

Thanks

Q: Good evening,

Multi-part question.

Had just finished reading ‘The Little Book of common sense Investing’, decide to make the switch, and am beginning to plan my transition to CPD, ZAG, VFV, XEF, VCN, VEE, and XRE, when I come across the new Vanguard products, of which VBAL to me seems the most interesting.

I see the pros of this ETF as being straightforward and dropping from 7 commission fees (re-balancing myself), vs just one trade a year to add money (portfolio currently around $26,000).

Cons: no preferreds or real estate. Less control (e.g they decide the asset allocations).

Do you have an opinion on this ETF?

Not sure the yield on VBAL but am guessing 2.5-3% maybe? Any idea?

Also, If I go ahead with VBAL would you give it some time to settle down (trading looks a little erratic), or is that volatility purely a product of price changes of its holdings already?

Thanks!

Q: Hi All at 5i! I would like to invest in a broad ETF ( in Canadian dollars) Which covers the US market, and one that covers emerging markets. Could you give me your choices and why. Thank you for all you do especially your hand holding when I am feeling a little unsure of what I am doing. You make my learning curve in the world of investing a little smoother!! Cheers, Tamara

Q: Are these 4 etf's the best way to invest in Europe and Emerging Markets or do you have better recommendations such as FEZ which you recommended some time ago, or VE or another I haven't listed. I would like to purchase what is in your opinion 4 etf's which best achieve the desired result.

Q: Hi,
What would be your choice for Europe, Japan, Emerging Markets ETF’s?
Thx Chris

Q: What are the differences between these two and which do you prefer for overall exposure to emerging markets? Is there a better vehicle than either of these for emerging markets?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Hello,
I am in the process of taking over my mother's portfolio and getting her out of mutual funds. She likes the idea of ETF's to reduce risk vs: specific stocks. What would your top 4-6 ETF's be for a sleep at night portfolio that is well diversified globally and covers all sectors, time range 20 years? Starting portfolio value $750,000 cash by the end of January. Also how would you intelligently step into these ETF's as the markets could be positioned for a correction sometime this year?
Thank you

Q: Hi Peter and Ryan,

I am wanting to invest in emerging markets and I am been comparing the mawer fund for emerging markets with a mer of 1.60 to VEE the etf, with a mer of .23.
Is the high mer worth it for the active management?
Other aspects of these options that I have been comparing is the holdings, Maw160 has 36 holdings and VEE has 4726 ,tracting the index.
Do you have any other suggestions for emerging markets?
Thank you for this valuable service,
Susan

Q: I plan to shuffle my RRSP to include your Balanced Equity Portfolio and the three ETFs above. Would you recommend any exposure to bonds through a fourth ETF?

Q: In your response to a previous question where I was looking to replace VWO with a Canadian equivalent, you suggested VEE. The TD Webbroker site shows VWO with a dividend yield of 2.15% and VEE with 1.34%. Can you confirm these numbers and if they track the same index why would there be any noteworthy difference?

Q: I am very heavy on Canadian equities within my corporate investment account. My personal accounts are all a bit heavy on Canadian equities as well. Plan to purchase ETFs to balance. Which of your current ETF portfolio names would you add right now and is there any advantage to doing so within my INC., TFSA, RSP or personal unregistered account. Would invest a 5% positon in the next few weeks. Balanced equity portfolio is the target, 10 year horizon.