Investment Q&A

Q: I have a large investment in VFV and would appreciate your opinion if I should sell my position in favor of VSP S&P 500 hedged? With thanks, Bill

Q: First of all,many thanks for your valued services.My granddaughter is starting her first investing at 23 years old and possessing $6000.We assume she should open a TFSA and would like your advice as to what to put into it. Thank you, Anne.

Q: I would like to move to a portfolio with at least 30% exposure to the US. I already own VFV and VUN which comprise 10% of my portfolio. Rather than attempt to buy individual US stocks, it makes sense to me to continue to buy these very low cost ETFs, both of which provide significant diversification into the US. With VFV there is the added diversification bonus that almost 50% of the companies listed have business outside the US. I would appreciate your opinion of this strategy.

Q: Hi,
I'm young and have good income, good risk tolerance and no need to withdrawal any of my investment dollars anytime soon. I'm looking for long term growth mostly. Currently I hold the listed stocks, do you see any names that jump out as really bad/ should sell? Is anything really lacking and maybe should be added? Right now everything is held in a tfsa.

Thanks!
Dave

Q: Hello,

I assume that VFV and ZSP are identical EFTs provided by Vanguard and BMO respectively. Their MER, asset allocations, sector breakdown are close to identical.

However I notice the following anomalies (VFV vs ZSP):
1) Dividends of $0.238 CAD vs $0.145 with yields of 1.565% and 1.789% respectively. Why the difference in dividends?

2) Portfolio turnover rate of 13.18% vs 31.90%. Why would there be a difference in turnover rate?

3) Benchmark: S&P 500 CAD vs S&P 500 TR CAD. What does the "TR" mean?

3) Market price (NAV?) of $56.33 vs $34.94: Is this due to dividend reinvestment and inception date?

If one were to buy one of these, which would you prefer and why?

Thank you for your excellent and unbiased opinion and service

Q: I currently have 8% of my portfolio in VFV and VUN to achieve direct US exposure. Would you agree that I should aim at 30% US equities? Is VFV and VUN a good way to achieve this goal?

Q: Which ETF would be your preference? Vanguard VFV or Horizons HSU.
Why the preference and what the difference?

Andrew B.

Q: Hello 5i, the only US stock I own is NVidia. I'm trying to decide between two ETfs: VFV or IWO. I know you have recommended IWO before. Or should I own both of them?
Thanks for your advice!
Dave

Q: If you were 18 and had $5000 to invest thinking long term what would you do?

Q: Which ETF would be your preference? Vanguard VSP or VFV
With thanks, Bill

Q: My portfolio is mostly Canadian companies. I would like more U.S exposure. I think Canadian ETFs would be best for me. Are there any which would contain companies like Apple, Facebook or Amazon? Is there an economic area and ETF you think will outperform that could invest in?
Thank you.

Q: We I currently own vfv in my husbands Rrsp account and have done quite well. Since he has now retired we are slowly repositioning his portfolio from income / growth to more income with safety we are thinking of selling vfv and purchasing a covered call etf that would still provide exposure to the us market. Do you think this is a wise decision,and if so what do you think of the Bmo Zwh? And which one would you purchase at this time-ZWH or ZWH.u? Are there other consideration we should be thinking about? Thank you
Maggie

Q: Hi 5i. I saw an interesting interview on BNN's 'Money Talk' (Nov23) with Damian Fernandes of TD Balanced Growth Fund. He was discussing the impact that a Trump reduction of corporate taxes would have on the S&P 500.
Hereis the link : http://www.bnn.ca/money-talk/money-talk-trump-s-impact-on-markets-and-sectors~1001584
If you have a chance to see it I would be very interested in your opinion.
As a result I am looking into investing in a S&P 500 ETF. I have looked at iShare's IVV (US$) which has 506 holdings and a MER of 0.04% - this would require converting CA$ to US$. Two other Canadian ETF's are Vanguard's VFV containing 509 holdings and MER of 0.08%, and iShare's CA$-hedged XSP which contains 1 holding (being IVV) and has a MER of 0.11%.
Two questions:
1. can you explain why XSP (hedged) MER would be almost 3x the IVV Mer that is its sole holding.
2. I assume that Vanguard's VFV is "unhedged". Can you explain how the Hedged product (XSP) differs from the "unhedged" product.
Thanks as always for your great advice.

Q: Can you tell me the reason why VFV Vanguard S&P 500 is today up only .02% and the S&P 500 index is up .75%. I often notice this anomaly and do not know why. Thanks, Bill

Q: Hi Peter and Team

What Canadian listed ETF would you recommend today for US market exposure for the TFSA of a thirty year old with a long term time horizon? Would your answer be any different if it was for an RRSP where the 15% US withholding tax was not an issue? There seem to be hedged and nonhedged versions of all of them so would you recommend a hedged version now with the USD so strong?

Thank you!

Q: I am interested in buying an ETF that would cover the S&P 500 index. From looking at previous questions, I see 2 that are talked about, namely VFV and VSP. I was planning on buying VSP but I find the volume is very low compared to VFV and also VSP is CAN hedged(which I don't quite understand).

Can you give me a brief idea of the difference between the 2 and which would be the best to purchase long term?

Or are there other S@P 500 ETFs that you would suggest with a pretty good dividend?

Thank You,
Andrew

Q: Would you consider VFV buyable at today's price with a 1.46% dividend? Thanks, Bill

Q: Hi 5i, I have been slowly adding to my portfolio. So far it is all held in a TFSA with long term in mind. The listed companies are the current holdings (I don't know weighted percents off hand). Can you please recommend maybe 2-3 other companies or funds that would help to round out my portfolio? I plan to make regular contributions for the long term. All available DRIP's are being utilized as well to further growth. Do you see any current major issues with the current holdings?

Thanks 5i! Keep up the great work, you're much appreciated!

Q: Hi,
Im a young, passive investor. Im looking for long term strong TFSA growth to eventually convert into TFSA retirement income. I am new to investing and don't really have a grasp on all the concepts yet.
Can you offer an opinion/advice/education on the pros and cons of investing in ETFs that are Canadian dollar hedged vs. non. Which you you recommend for long term consistent and strong growth.? The two listed are what Im thinking for gaining some US exposure, unless you are able to recommend something better?

Thanks!