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: In what way is it advantageous to buy VEE vs. the underlying VWO? VEE indicated yield is 2.16%, VWO is 2.62%.
I realize one is Canadian listed, the other American, and it may depend on the holding account. Please explain the mechanics.
Thanks, love your service.
Len

Q: Hi, Happy new year!!

When looking at the long term rates of return of Emerging markets, developed INTL markets, Canadian and US stocks, the US has outperformed by a mile. I hold mostly stocks that are Cdn and US and I have global international and developed exposure through the mentioned ETF's, which only account for around 6% of my total portfolio. My questions are:

1. What is the simplest way to break down portfolio exposure without getting too overly complicated and detailed? Currently I break it down by where they trade. But for example, I hold stocks such as BAM, SLF, GOOG, JPM, V which are more global. How would I go about classifying some of these stocks? Would I allocate some % of these towards international exposure based on the company revenue breakdown, etc? any other metrics? Any good sites that easily summarize this info. or do I need to go looking through the companies financial statements?

2. Is there any mean reversion long term between CDN, US, INTL, and EE markets? So since INTL and EE has underperformed so much lately, is it time to rebalance equities from US to CDN/INTL/EE? Or for a long term growth investor, is the US still the best place to invest for growth whereas INTL/EE look cheap and have better value, although slower growth? Thoughts?

Q: Hi, currently holding these Cad ETFs in RSP. What would be the best equivalent ETF's to buy in the US if I were to convert my holdings to USD and buy the US ETF. Looking for equivalent exposure with lower MER, better tax efficiency, etc... I've included some of my choices, would these be the best ones to switch to? Other ETFs are welcome if I haven't listed them below. Thanks and Happy holidays, looking forward to a great 2022!

VGG to VIG
XEF to either VXUS/VEA/IEFA
VEE to VWO
ZUH to either XHC/VHT/XLV
VUN/VUS TO VOO

Q: Do you have some suggestions for ETFs that have the following characteristics, with a very long-term hold in mind:

- do not include Canadian or US stocks
- could be focused on Europe or Latin America
- could be focused on Asia, preferably with little or (better yet) no exposure to Chinese stocks
- could be focused on other geographic areas you think have excellent potential

Q: Hello, in the answer to a member’s question about “fraudulent activity” you say: “We would exercise more caution on foreign entities due to accounting differences. Over the counter small companies should essentially just be avoided.” My question is related to the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Market VEE ETF that contains 5250 stocks, out of which 37% are from China. Is it possible that many of the VEE stocks fall into the category stated above? Thank you

Q: I have these ETF's in a TFSA with a primary goal 8 to 10% annual return. I'd like your opinion if there is overlap in this portfolio and if there would be another ETF to add. This is a smaller portfolio and I don't think it would be efficient to buy the individual stocks in your balanced equity model portfolio.
Thanks!

Q: What are your top 10 ETF’s to hold forever?
Would you buy them on the US or Canadian markets if available. I know some of the US listed ETF’s are more liquid. Thanks

Q: I would like to invest 50 thousand in a etf or two investing outside of Canada. Please give a couple o f recommendations and a specific country or investment idea you would consider attractive at this time as well. I already own US banks through ZBK as well as Alibaba. Do you consider XID attractive at this time? THANKYOU I have been well pleased with 5i over the years and consider your advice a good investment.

Q: My 28yr old son is looking to build a diversified ETF portfolio with 100% equity exposure with a bent towards growth given his long investment horizon.  These will be spread across his TFSA, RRSP and Non-Registered accounts.  Since he will be contributing smaller amounts on a regular basis a zero commission platform such as Wealthsimple is appealing.  However, they charge 1.5% fee for all currency conversions making it only practical to hold Canadian traded ETF's.  As a result he is considering the following:

ZSP 40%
XIC 25%
TEC 20%
VIU 10%
VEE 5%

ZSP + XIC + VIU + VEE together create a mix of ETFs that are globally diversified and very similar to the structure of XEQT/VEQT.  Versus XEQT/VEQT This portfolio has a slightly lower weighted-average MER at 0.16% and also has 20% in TEC (in place of something like QQQ) which is more growth oriented. Here are how the sectors would be weighted with this portfolio:

Info 31%
Financial 15%
Cons Disc 11%
Industrial 9%
Healthcare 8%
Communica 7%
Cons Staples 5%
Energy 5%
Materials 4%
Utilities 2%
Real Estate 2%

These would be the top 10 holdings with this portfolio and these top 10 would account for 24% of holdings in this portfolio:

AAPL5.1% MSFT4.9% AMZN3.2% GOOGL1.8% FB1.7% GOOG1.7% TSLA1.5% SHOP1.4% RY1.2% NVDA1.2%

If this was you at 28, can you please comment on
- are the 5 ETFs he has chosen ones you would go with given his objectives, if not, what changes/substitutes would you make along with recommended % allocations?
- is his % allocation across the 5 appropriate or would you make changes? For example I thought there might be too much overlap between ZSP and TEC as they are both highly invested in AAPL, MSFT, AMZ and FB and he is looking at 60% going into these 2 ETF's. That may well be what you want at his age but  I wonder if he is better served by reducing ZSP to 25% -30% and TEC to 15% and add  the remaining 15-20% to CDZ or VGG (or something else?)
- given he will be making contributions to his TFSA, RRSP and Non-registered, which ETF would be best in which account and why? 

Thanks for all your help, 
Scott

Q: Can you recommend a sort of Rip van Winkle portfolio for an 84 year old lady who just sold her house? We're talking in the neighbourhood of $400,000. She has little need for the money right now and is not worried much about volatility. She has an pension which helps too cover the need for bonds.

Q: There is some thought that emerging markets might be a good place to invest at this time, especially when compared to USA markets. What is your opinion and why? If you concur, what ETF (s) would you suggest? I have recently come across an ETF with the symbol CIEM; could you factor this ETF into your analysis and opinions please. Thanks

Q: Can you recommend your top-5 ETFs ? I am looking for medium-to-high risk/growth positions.

Thanks!

Q: If you had to pick only ten stocks or ETF's to hold forever which would they be?
Thanks

Q: Hi Guys
For a long term hold, if your view is the U.S. dollar will decline steeply over time, would it not be best to purchase my Emerging Markets through IEMG, as the foreign currencies become worth more against the U.S. dollar?
thanks Gord

Q: Can you recommend 2 value focused emerging market index/etf funds, one of which does not include Chinese companies and and one that does. Thanks for your guidance.

Q: Have held VEE for a while now and have been disappointed on its performance, do you have any suggestions for foreign exposure?

Q: I have been planning to invest in emerging markets. They might represent good valuations compared to the overall marketplace. A friend recommended FRDM as an ETF. Would you have any other suggestions as far as ETF go.
Thank you.

Q: My sister just pulled out of Questrade's Robo account to a self-directed account. She planned to buy basic 4 index ETFs in order to keep things simple (XIC for Canadian (30%), XUU for US (35%), VIU for Europe (20%), and VEE for emerging markets (15%)).

However, when the funds appeared, we found two thirds of it was in CAD and one third in USD. It seems inefficient to convert it back to CAD and buy those funds. So we're thinking of buying the US equivalent ETFs for XUU and perhaps VIU and VEE.

Can you give us the US equivalents of these funds. If you have any advice on our strategy here or the funds I've mention (eg. whether iShares or Vanguard is preferable in these areas) feel free to add your wisdom which I so much value as a member.

Q: Currently our portfolio is 15% too high in Canadian stocks and ETFs and am
needing to add to International I would appreciate 3 stocks or an ETF that would be the highest on your ratings. Thanks!