Investment Q&A

Q: Hello, Please provide ETF's that replicates TSX, S&P, DOW & NASDAQ
are there Hedged and non-hedged versions for US stock Indices.
Thanks.

Q: Peter, I hold these S&P hedged ETF's in different portfolios. The total fees for HXS are about twice that of XSP and VSP probably due to the swaps. When I look at the performance of these ETF's, XSP and VSP are almost identical, but HXS sometimes lags and sometimes outperforms the other two. I am not sure why that is, can you comment. Due to the higher fees on HXS, does it makes sense to own this ETF in a registered account?

Q: I am looking to add an ETF that tracks the s and p 500 that has to go in my Tfsa. Can you give me some etf recommendations and your rationale? Thank you.

Q: Which Top 3 ETF's do your recommend to track the S&P 500.

Q: Hi there,

Just a follow up to my previous question, where do you see the USD going in 2020 against the CAD? In the answer you had provided to me, you had suggested VSP for S&P500 exposure (as opposed to VFV). Does this imply you see the CAD strengthening against the USD in 2020?

Thanks!

Q: Hi there, although predictions are kind of a guessing game, based on all your professional experience, do you foresee the SP500 and NASDAQ continuing to perform well in 2020? I am thinking of putting 10 percent of my portfolio in a SP500 etf and 10 percent in NASDAQ 100. I currently have no US exposure. What are your thoughts and which ETFs would you suggest for this play? Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Q: My ETF portfolio is 30% SPY, 20% VIG, 10 IWO ( 50% USA exposure), 20 VE and 20% VEE. You seem to have switched to recommending VSP and VUN as your USA ETF. What are the advantages of VSP/VUN over SPY. VSP and SPY have similar mers, VUN is a bit higher at 0,16. I assume I started buying SPY on 5i recommendation at some point in the past... Balanced portfolio follower, nearing retirement so shifting more towards income/div aristocrats over pure growth plays.

Q: Thank you for answering my past questions so clearly.

All the ETF's below mirror the S&P 500.

BMO S&P 500 INDEX CAD UNT ETF Symbol ZSP (not currency-hedged)

VANGUARD S&P 500 Index ETF, Symbol VSP (currency-hedged)

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF, Symbol XSP (currency-hedged)

Over the last decade, as expected, XSP and VSP have appreciated as much as the S&P 500 has -- a little over 100%.

ZSP has appreciated about 180%. Likely, that is a function of the currency hedging/not hedging.

Please explain.

In your opinion, will ZSP continue to outperform?

Thank you.

Q: Can you please give me your recommendations for ETFS in the following categories?

US S&P 500
US Total Market
US Dividend

Thanks

Q: I've just started contributing to an RRSP this year. I would like to implement an indexing strategy for the most part since I wont be using the money for 30+ years. I've only looked at vanguard so far: VOO, VFV, VSP and maybe VOOG. My question is, would it be better to use a canadian fund etf that tracks the s&p 500 like vfv, or would it be better to use one in american dollars like voo. If I do go with Canadian, should I go with a hedged one such as VSP? Or perhaps a mixture?

Thanks

Q: I hold VSP Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) in my RRIF. I am confused by the following comments in the February 2019 ETF & Mutual Fund Update under the title Exchange-Traded Funds for Your RRSP – “When it comes to Canadian-listed funds that hold U.S. equities or hold U.S. listed ETFs it is best to avoid them because U.S. dividend income is taxed on your behalf.” I had thought that VSP was appropriate for RRIF’s. Please advise.

Q: I am wondering about the appropriateness of your Balanced ETF fund being held in either RRSP or TFSA from a tax perspective.

Q: Greetings 5i team,

For people who invest in a US market index ETF, are there significant differences between IVV, VOO and SPY ?

Are there any other similar US market index ETFs?

Thank you.

Milan

Q: I currently hold both VTI and VSP in my RRSP for US exposure.
VTI is my only US holding (i.e. trades on US exchange) in my RRSP, so it is the only holding that forces me to occasional exchange currencies (US dividend).
Which of the following options do you prefer (feel free to suggest an additional option):
1) Do nothing (continue converting the US dividends to CDN$).
2) move VTI to VSP. (CAD hedged.)
3) move VTI to VFV. (not hedged)
4) move VTI to VUN. (not hedged, broader index)
5) move VTI to VUS. (hedged, broader index)
Thanks.

Q: Recently read John Bogle, "Common Sense Investing"

What are my choices for purchasing the s & p 500 index, please compare MER, do all offer a canadian hedge? and what are the pros and cons of buying it hedged to canadian dollar?

thanks

Ernie

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: Does this ETF have a CAD hedged cousin? or an ETF that does hedge CAD for another US index ?
Ernie

Q: Do you think these 3 ETFs, provide a diversified enough portfolio? I plan to invest equal amounts in these ETFs and re-balance every year. They would be held in a RRSP, RESP and TFSA. Does it matter in which accounts I hold these ETFs? I plan to supplement my income I receive when I retire. I am basically looking to put together a portfolio that I know will be around long after I die. I'm only 30, but I've been listening to John Bogle and Warren Buffett speak about what they believe individual investors should do with their money.

Q: My question involves taxation of these two ETFs at death as a Canadian citizen. VSP holds the US domiciled Vanguard S&P 500 ETF whereas the BMO ZUE invests in the Canadian domiciled ZSP which holds the US equities directly. Once a Canadian individual crosses certain net worth thresholds they are subject to double taxation from both the US and Canada on their US holdings at death. Is the structure of VSP put an individual at more risk? Can you or any members comment?

Q: I am looking for some guidance regarding a retirement plan for someone who is mid 40's; doesn't work for various reasons and has been using an expensive investment advisor. She doesn't know or want to learn about investing for herself. She requires Canadian monthly income and what I think makes sense is to invest her funds in a CDN hedged fund that tracks the S&P 500 such as VSP. The average annual return for this fund is 13.9% since its inception date of Nov 2012 and it pays total dividends of 1.5% annually. I guess I could look at the US website to see the longer term investment returns for the S&P 500. I was thinking of suggesting an ETF REIT for monthly cash flow but the investment returns are much less than the S&P 500. So my thoughts are to invest fully in the S&P 500 and take out money when needed either on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Its a simple plan to understand and should work. Of course the S&P 500 will go down at some point in time in the future but with 40 years to be invested I don't think this should be a problem as long as the funds stay invested in the ETF. Your comments would be greatly appreciated.