Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

When I read this article in this morning's Globe and Mail, I thought of an excellent question by Dale on August 6th and your equally excellent answer. In some ways I was surprised by your answer. You chose "momentum" as the single most important factor in investing and pointed out to difficulties in defining "quality". (I thought you would choose Value and management as the most important factors!!)

With this in mind, and reviewing today's article in the Globe, would you say VMO.TO or XAW.TO, VXC.TO are good choices for a 10% position to cover this "momentum" factor? Or any other ETF that you feel is superior to these? Not sure if these are covered in ETF Mutual fund newsletter. I have to look the past articles up.

Here is the link to that article.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/investment-ideas/number-cruncher/article-nine-global-equity-etfs-to-augment-your-portfolio-and-reduce-home/
Thanks in advance.

Q: Hi Guys
I just use these 2 ETFS to cover the World it keeps it simple, I was told Canada only represents 3% of the World so that is the weighting i use, would you find that an acceptable weighting. Also. VXC has Japan at 8% and China at 4.5% would this be acceptable or would you add another ETF to compliment the 2 listed above, to get a higher exposure to China and other countries, and if so at what percentage weighting.
Thanks Gord

Q: I am looking for a lower risk ETF. My goal is to preserve capital, by beating inflation on an after-tax basis over a 5 to 10 year period, and not to lose any money. My view is that I can best achieve these objectives through an ETF which is diversified both sectorally and geographically. Do you agree?

I have been considering VIU, VXC, VEQT and XDG. What are your views? Do you agree with these possibilities, or do you feel there are better options available? What ETF do you think offers the best risk and reward? Do you feel the all-in-one ETFs will better achieve my investment objectives given the rebalancing feature?

Your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

Q: Hi Peter, VCN and XAW are in one portfolio, VXC is in another. Would you add to these or is there a better choice considering the Canadian dollar or Covid? Thanks.

Q: Hi guys, I own the following with the respective total portfolio weightings. My TFSA is all CDN and RRSP is a mix of USD/CDN. When I rebalance, should I try and rebalance with respect to % of TFSA and % of RRSP or rebalance each holding as a percent of overall portfolio? If the latter, I would consolidate some of the holdings in my TFSA to bump up the individual weightings. Are there any obvious adjustments that I should make? I’m heavy on AAPL but have sold so much of it over the years I’m very tempted to let the remaining shares ride.
Please deduct as many credits as you see fit and many thanks for the excellent service you provide. The Q/A is invaluable as are the periodic market summaries. You’ve pulled me away from the panic button many, many times.
RESP:
VFV 1.30%
RRSP:
GOOG 4.78%
AYX 3.77%
AAPL 11.77%
BNS 5.26%
ENB 5.50%
GH 3.69%
XQQ 6.23%
JPM 4.80%
GUD 1.63%
NVDA 5.91%
DIS 3.25%
VXC 24.23%
TFSA:
ATD.B 1.96%
CAE 1.30%
WEED 0.48%
CSU 2.73%
GSY 1.94%
GC 1.59%
KXS 1.42%
LSPD 1.80%
MX 0.67%
PHO 1.14%
SHOP 2.69%

Q: Hi,
Is XAW a good strategy and good ETF to easily diversify outside Canada. Also, is there other similar ETF’s that you suggest investing which excludes Canada for a world diversification.
Thank you

Q: Why would you advise holding these five ETF's in a TFSA, given that the foreign withholding tax is unrecoverable?

Q: Greetings 5i,

I will be adding the following ETFs / Mutual Funds to my portfolio over time in order to round out my sector and geographic imbalances. Could you please suggest the prefered account to hold each of these in. RRSP, TFSA, or Regular Trading Account.

VXC, MAW108, ZWU, QQQ, VEE, ZCH, EWL, REET, ZDI, ZWE

Cheers!

Q: I'm looking for a world-wide ETF to invest in long-term, without exposure to Canada. I came across XAW. It seemed like a wise choice. I like it because it's world-wide, but doesn't include Canada, and has no bond holdings.

I am currently saving for a downpayment and have about 30% of my portfolio in XBB (which will be used for the downpayment). Plus a bunch of money invested in Canada already.
1. What do you think about XAW?
2. Any other ETFs in a similar space as XAW I should consider?

Thanks!

Q: Good morning, if i wanted to buy just one well diversified etf ex-Canada, but cdn dollar denomination fund, for about a five year hold, what would you recommend? Moderate risk.

Q: Hello,

Portfolio analytics is suggestion that I go 75/25 equity to income and from the 75% equity to allocate 35% into US, 35% in International and 30% into CND. Suggested ETFs for US and International are VUN, VIU and VEE. How would you view instead of holding three funds I go with one, either VXC or XAW? Or do you feel that is too much into just one ETF Also, which one is better suited for an RRSP account.

Thank you.

Q: Hi,

I am trying to choose between these 2 ETFs for global coverage ex-Canada. They seem pretty similar but XAW invests in US ETFs while VXC invests directly in companies. Is there a fiscal disadvantage in XAW (to be held in cash account)?

Thanks

Q: Do you have any thoughts about holding VXC in a TFSA?

Q: Hi 5I,
I am retired and living off my RIF. With the current volatility and market downturn, I am thinking of getting more defensive. My current holdings of ZWC, VVL, VUN and VEE are each about 8% of my RIF. I am thinking of switching ZWC for ZLB, switching VVL for VVO, switching VUN for VGG and switching VEE for VXC. What do you think of this strategy? Should I hold some and do nothing? Please explain your reasoning.
Thanks for your help and have a happy holiday season.
Dick

Q: Which ETF ex North America, would you recommend for global exposure?

Q: Hi.

Comparing Global ETFs (XEF, VXC) [7-year AARR ~6.3%] versus MFs (RBF1067, RBF1370, MAW120, AIM1593) [10-year AARR net MER ~10%].

Hard to compare these with the tools I have at my disposal, but it appears that smart management of Global investments maybe be worth the MER ding. Your thoughts?

Haven't owned in MF in years, but maybe it makes sense here...

Thank you.

Q: I have 25 holdings in my RRIF, all Canadian Equities. I want to diversify. I am considering XAW, VXC, XFH, VSP, ZEA and ZEM. Of these which 2 or 3 would be my best choices?
Also would consider a couple of Bond funds.

Q: We would like to set up a "joint trading account" with approx. $1000 for our two nephews ages 4 and 2 that they can cash out when they are 18. I want to buy shares in New Flyer for half of the initial amount in each account as their dad works for them. Can you recommend a long term ETF for each account to cover the rest.
Thanks as always!
Gord

Q: Hi, Can you give me a couple of suggestions for an Asian mutual fund or ETF, ex Japan, available in Canadian dollars? I'm definitely not adverse to a mutual fund.

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!