Investment Q&A

Q: Good Morning,

Knowing that you don’t follow Japan Index in a big way and also the run these ETFs have been on, what are your thoughts on holding one of these for minimum 3-5 years? If so which one? Still lots of upside, room to grow?

Looking to diversify a bit.


Thanks!
Robert

Q: Hi, There has been a lot of talk about Japanese stock market witnessing a strong recovery after almost a lifetime. In your view, what are the factors causing this rebound ?

Many portfolio managers on CNBC and BNN have recommended to have an exposure to Japanese markets. Mr Buffet, for one, as always, started early, taking sizable positions in some well known Trading and Industrial companies. Over past 2-3 years, they have also issued many tranches of Japanese Yen denominated Bonds, with interest rates higher than usually offered by Japanese issuers, once such large issue just announced.

What is your view and if you concur, is EWJ a decent investment vehicle to invest at current levels ?

Thank You

Q: Japan is showing some recent economic recovery. What are the factors responsible for that and is it sustainable? If yes than is it a good idea to add some exposure via an ETF?

Q: Hi, If I want exposure to Japan, should I buy Toyota or an ETF or something else?

Q: The Japanese yen has been week for 3 years and Japanese corporations are apparently starting to be more shareholder friendly. Supposedly many Japanese corporations are sitting on lots of cash and finally they are starting to buy back stock and start/increase dividends. At least that is what I can glean from the business mass media. Does 5I agree with this appraisal of the situation? If the answer the answer is yes then I assume you agree that some exposure to the Japanese market would be prudent? Then what ETF would you suggest? I think something unhedged would be better in case the yen starts wakes up and starts to appreciate.

Q: Hello 5i,

As always, thanks for your sage advice.

I am light on international exposure. I am thinking of adding an Indian and Mexican ETF as both economies are robust and likely have a long runway.
Firstly, would you agree? and if so, could you suggest a go to fund for each.

And if no, could you advise what you think would be a better path?

Much appreciated,

Ralph

Q: Do you still think right now is a good time to invest in Japan? If so... How do you compare these ETFs? Which one are best for a long term investor? Thank you.

Q: Hi

What would be your picks for International stocks or ETF's, for both a cash account and RRSP accounts.

Thank you

Mike

Q: What ETFs would you recommend to use to represent the international portion of a portfolio? What ones would you use for:
1. Europe
2. India
3. Japan
4. South America
I have excluded China because I don’t trust their reporting. How would you divide that 30% up? Is there any other countries/areas that you would view as investable that I am forgetting.

Thanks in advance.

Q: Are etfs the best way to incorporate a Japan exposure into one's portfolio? If so, which do you recommend as the best combination of dividend/growth? Thanks.

Q: Some suggestions for investing for growth in either India or Japan please.

Q: Could you please recommend a couple of your favorite Japanese ETF'S that provide
value and growth?

Stephen G

Q: Hello 5i,
I realize you don’t follow the Japanese market but if you were to try to ride the current momentum there how would you do it?
Thank you
Dave

Q: Could you please commended a Japanese index ETF? Both David Rosenberg and Warren Buffet have mentioned Japanese equity market will be outromanced. Just wondering if it's good timing to invest in that market.

thank you,

Q: I hold Japan and South Korea ETFs for diversification. EWY’s holdings include Samsung and other large well-run large industrials in South Korea but EWY has nothing for several years (continues instead to go glug-glug). Likewise, my various Japan ETFs hold good businesses yet seem to have only downward trajectories. Do you think these ETFs have sunk so much now that one may as well ride it out? OR:

Is it better to sell any ? Which to sell and which to keep? (In theory I could sell now and revisit later, but I have never done that well. My several questions today show my various psych biases. Yes, one can be self-aware AND continue to make the same behavioral mistakes).

Q: With Japanese Yen is at 20 years low. I am interested to buy Japanese ETFs. Do you have any recommendations and should I hedged or not hedged?

Q: Could you please suggest one or two Japanese's ETF's to buy?

Warren just bought 4 company's in Japan.

Thank you.

Q: You have previously answered my question on Japan ETFs (large cap; small-mid cap). I own EWJ:us and FLJP:us , an ETF you recommended to me when I asked you about EWJ. (FLJP:us is still not in your data base). Japan has me more puzzled now than ever. Several financial commentators insist that Japan is good value; that many small-mid caps trade below the cash values on their balance sheets. I stayed with my Japan ETFs because of such comments and blurbs in financial media. I now have doubts about Japan and certainly no longer trust the “trade below cash value” comments. I recently visited medical equipment companies in Tokyo and Osaka, but one trip is no basis to judge if an economy— or even just one sector— is on an upswing. Additionally, Japan’s stock markets have had false starts since the 1990s.

Would *YOU* keep holding Japan ETFs, and why please? (Diversification would not be sufficient reason to hold, in my case).

Q: Hello!
Wanting to increase foreign exposure and wondering if now would still be a good time to enter any of these names. Since China appears to have Covid more under control is this a good place to invest especially in consumer discretionary. If entering these names does one wait for pullback or enter now. As well, is it better to go with a mutual fund as opposed to ETFs for international/emerging market exposure?

Q: You proposed that Warren Buffet's investment in five Japanese commodities traders is motivated by their commodities exposure, rather than by growth and/or multiple expansion prospects for Japan as a region. Okay, but suppose we ignore Buffet's specific interest; is it plausible that Japan's markets have priced-in its disadvantages (such as age-related lower productivity) to the degree that its country-specific ETFs (for example, BBJP) are now 'interesting'? Or should the apparent permanence of such structural constraints drive us away, indefinitely?