Investment Q&A

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: I have read the following from Morgan Stanley's CIO:
- S&P 500's forward price-to-earnings ratio is over 20.4, the equivalent for the MSCI ACWI ex U.S. is around 13.5.
- That discount of nearly 35%, a 20-year low, is a two-standard-deviation event.
- Dividend yields for non-US equities are running above 3% - more than double that of the U.S. benchmark.

Do you think there is an out-sized opportunity to invest outside the US, beyond one's normal global diversification strategy? If so, what sectors, stock and/or ETF's do you recommend? Thanks.

Q: Good Morning 5i,
I have held VEE for a number of years as part of my global exposure in my portfolio. I would like to replace it with another global ETF. Could you suggest 3 other ETF's that would provide more upside over the next 5 years. I also hold XWD so avoiding any overlap is a consideration.
Thanks for all you do for us each day.
Dan

Q: Hi,

I hold VXUS and have decided I'd like to instead concentrate my international holdings on four stocks: ASML, LVMUY, MDLZ and NVS. I was wondering, recognizing you don't cover European companies, are there any obvious red flags with these four companies. I know there is no comparison between and ETF and individual stocks. Sector is not a concern.

Thank you. Michael

Q: Hi,

What are a couple Canadian listed ETFs to replace VXUS. I'm thinking of selling my VXUS and buying VIG with the USD, and then replacing VXUS in my CAD account.

Thanks
Robert

Q: You have mentioned both VIU and VXUS for International exposure in a portfolio. Can you please explain the difference between them? Would one be better than the other as the only International exposure in an ETF portfolio?
Thank you!

Q: Hi Peter.
Can you suggest a few stocks/ETF's with good long term potential ?

Q: Happy Holidays!! Two part question - What are your thoughts on index funds, I don’t think I see any in your portfolios.

I read some commentary sometimes how some “professional investors” say they are better than stocks, for as the stock market goes up the index funds will too, but stocks don’t always rise when the market does. I do see the counter argument there too.

And assuming you’re not opposed to them, you which ones would you recommend?

Please take 2-3 credits, as that was a long question.

Thanks,

Cam

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I am in the process of setting up an investment account for my nephew and would like to stick to indexes for the time being until he is comfortable with individual equities.

Given the current market climate and your best guess, what % would you attribute in a portfolio (out of 100%) to the following indices: VFV, XQQ, XIC, IWO, XGRO. Please feel free to suggest any other index that was not mentioned in the list above.

Thank you!

Q: I am making the switch to holding ETFs in my RRSP instead of individual stocks to make it easier to manage. Can you recommend your top ETFs for a growth oriented investor who has a 10-15 year horizon and wants a globally diversified portfolio. I would like to limit this to less than 5 ETFs.

Thanks

Greg

Q: Hi! Doing some cleaning up and wondering if these are buy, sell, or hold. In reference to Shane's comments I also agree that it wasn't too long ago that so many advisors were recommending growth stocks at lofty prices. Having always been a more of a value investor I dipped my toes, but am feeling like I'd be too scared to ever enter any kind of a growth stock again. I know if interest rates peak you feel these can do well again but only time will tell and many investors have lost lots of money on the high growth names like in Cathy Wood's funds. Happy to hold any of these names if there could ever be a turn around. Thank you!

Q: Hello 5i,
How would you compare these two ETF's in terms of overlap in geography and sector allocation? We have both - initially VXUS for International, then adding IDV for both yield and diversification within International. We also hold ZWE, ZWG, and VEE yet we still need to increase our International by about 1.80 %. Yield is very important to us as these will be used for RRIF income in the very immediate future.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, as always!!
Thanks!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: I need to increase the overall international exposure in my portfolio (currently 15%).
I am considering using VE as a simple way to increase international exposure to 30%.

1) Is VE appropriate for this purpose?
2) What other ETF(s) might be suitable?
3) Given VE is down 20% in the past 12 mos would you make a single large purchase, or several smaller ones over time?
Thanks,
Trevor

Q: Is this ETF unhedged? Since USD is very high and the world currency has been crushed is this a good time to buy this etf for diversification. Rest of my portfolio is in the US stocks.

Q: Hi Guys,

My son is opening his first RRSP and is looking for a basket of ETF's with a bit of a longer term horizon. What would you recommend?

Thanks,

Q: Historically, how important has investing outside of North America been for portfolio performance? Could one do just as well or better by ignoring international markets?

Thanks.

Q: Can you compare ZDI vs VXUS and rate which you prefer?

Q: My wife and I treat our individual accounts as a single portfolio. Based on the Portfolio Analytics we are significantly underweight on the US and rest of the world. We have on RRSP representing 12% of the portfolio that will be converted to a RRIF next year that we would like to simplify. We will maintain 40% - 50% in fixed income, but would like to invest the rest in equity ETFs with holdings outside of Canada. Could you please suggest one or two ETF for exposure to each of the US and the rest of the world. Thank you.

Q: Can't remember why I own this but it has done nothing in 3 years. Can you suggest an alternative or just get out. Thanks J

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I have held a balanced Canadian Couch Potato Portfolio with the above etfs in my son's RESP which i started when he was born in 2009. The portfolio has done pretty well (in my books at least) at 8% annual return. I am now looking at a 6 year time horizon for when he will need to begin to draw from the RESP. I am thinking of starting to rotate toward more conservative holdings as the timeline for needing the funds draws closer. Under "normal" circumstances from what i have learned this would mean moving more into bonds at this point but I am having trouble believing this is appropriate in the current market. With interest rates and inflation both rising i am wondering if low debt dividend stocks might be a better bet to hold onto purchasing power in this time frame? Maybe something something like CDZ vs XBB? I know you can not suggest specific portfolio recommendations but looking for suggestions/best bets for maintaining value and keeping up with inflation over this time frame.

Thanks,