Investment Q&A

Q: Crystal ball question: Would you buy XUS now or wait a little? Any other ETF or stocks you would suggest for US exposure in RIF? Much Thanks for your comments.

Q: Good afternoon, Please recommend your 3 favourite international equity ETFs (without US holdings) and your 3 favourite US market ETFs. I already own QQQ which represents approx. 10% of my RRSP (in US dollars). Further, what are your thoughts on investing in the US market in US dollars (converted using Norbert Gambit) vs. Cnd. dollars? Is there an approach which has generated better results? Thank you.

Q: If using your balanced portfolio as my canadian content for an equity portfolio could you please recommend some equity etfs for ex canadian content and what % would be canadian of the total portfolio? I was thinking 40% and 60% outside canada

Thx

Q: Hi there - between these 2 etfs, which would you consider the better buy hold forever etf? Is there a better buy a hold forever etf other than these 2?

Thanks!

Q: a sunlife life insurance policy was purchased for grandchildren as an investment for them on the advice of a financial planner- I am embarrassed to say so far $9000 in annual premiums has been paid, with 11 more remaining before the policy is paid in full. If I cancel this policy it will be a loss. However; the dollars which would have gone to sunlife could be used for a better investment. Your suggestions would be welcomed. Thank you- (P.S.- I submitted this ? a moment ago-but my screen went black so I don't no if the ? was sent the first time)

Q: XSP is the CDN hedged version of the S&P 500 which should match the performance of SPY (the S&P 500 in US dollars) over the same time period. However XSP has significantly underperformed SPY eg the compounded annual performance of XSP for the period ending April 30/24 for 3 years, 5 years and 10 years is 6.71%. 11.45% and 10.98% respectively. The corresponding nos for SPY are 7.94%, 13.09% and 12.30% ie XSP has underpermed by 1.23%/year for 3ys, 1.64%/year for 5 years and 1.32% for 10 years. Both ETFS have the same MER of 0.09%- Blackrock indicates that the cost of hedging is included in their MER but this cannot be the case. Is the real cost of hedging with XSP as high as 1.23-1.64%/year? There should a small tracking error but these differnces in performance are siginficant and consistently in favour of SPY

Q: Hi guys,

Is it better to purchase SPY etf in u.s dollars or a Canadian version of that eft in Canadian dollars?

Thanks

Jim

Q: VFV vs. VOO:
I understand VFV ETF contains VOO ETF, correct? What would you recommend, buy VFV in CDN $ account, or convert CDN$ cash in US$ cash using Norbit gambit and buy VOO in US account with US$? Any other recommendation for ETF to invest in US S&P500?

Q: Peter, the 1/4 & FY looked good to us, your thoughts ? How has it compared to benchmarks over the past 5, 10, 20 yrs ? Is it a 1 stop shop vs S&P 500 ? Thank you as its our biggest holding.

Q: Greetings 5i
I have a couple of follow up questions to yesterday’s question regarding a US replacement for vbal. You suggested a combination of spy and a bond fund. What would be an appropriate bond etf for this strategy? I imagine you would be indifferent between spy and voo for stocks? Is there any way to calculate the tax hit in a non registered account. Currently I have non dividend paying stocks in this account to avoid withholding tax. But, i guess if you follow this strategy you have to take the tax bite as part of the package.
With appreciation

Q: Good morning 5i
I sent in a question but it must have gotten lost over te weekend. A member recently said that if he should become incapacitated he left instructions for his wife to sell all stocks and buy vbal, as she was not interested in stocks and this would be a solution.
There are probably many of us in this situation. But,i wonder if one would not be better to sell gradually while alive and capable. After all, you will bot get the big tax hit. Also, in case of the death of one partner, it maybe better to start selling earl, even though it involves capital gains. Because the tax on the one remaining spouse , without the benefit of income splitting will be very high.

One problem i have with this plan is that i have a lot in US dollars. And i want to keep them. One solution i thought woul be to put much more in berkshire. But I don’t know of any US etf that works like vbal. Would you have suggestions on this?
Thanks

Q: Do you have a preference between these two etf’s or is there another name you would recommend? Will become a 5percent holding in a non registered account. Thanks for your input.. Lesley

Q: Can you you rate from best to worst spy.us, vti.us, spgp.us, vus.ca and recommend a good entry price.
And is there a non hedge version of vus.ca.

Thanks

Q: I was surprised you suggested a maximum SPY weighting of 10% in response to Jim’s question on April 10.

Warren buffet recommends the SP 500 index as a one stop shop for instant diversification and long term inversting, notwithstanding its geographical concentration risk.

Can you please expand on the suggested 10% maximum weighting?

Thank you

Q: Hi guys,

I have BRK.B, SPY & I2I as my only etfs in my U.S. portfolio, all around 2%. I know you can't provide personal advice, however, inside a normal balance portfolio what would be the range for each (bottom 2% to high10%)?
Thanks,

Jim

Q: Warren Buffett says " buy index funds" preferably Vanguard.

What would you buy in Canada & the USA?

Thank you.

Q: Is there any ETF without covered call you would recommend that holds similar stocks as SMAX. Either in USA or CDN dollars. I prefer CDN dollars.

Thanks for the great service

Q: Hi, I'm thinking of gradually reducing my individual stocks and moving into etfs for an all around set it and forget it roughly $3 million portfolio for someone retiring in the next few months. Can you give me your suggested etfs and percentages to hold to accomplish this balance? A chunk of these funds are not invested yet so I'd also like to know how you would suggest deploying these funds? Would you edge in gradually over a period of time or just get the money working? I'd really appreciate any advice you could give me in this format.
Thank you as always!

Q: If someone had to purchase 1 etf in their portfolio, would you say that this is the best one even though it is pricey. Thank you

Q: Hello Peter,
I know you have answered this about Topicus special dividend. I find it odd that in the early stages of the company's existence , it is paying out a special dividend. Could this be a sign that the company sees little appetite for acquiring companies and will focus on organic growth? What is a good etf that excludes the magnificent 7 , SPY minus magnificent 7.. Appreciate it and thanks for the service.