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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I asked a question last week but it must have got lost. This is a follow up question regarding my question about if you could only hold 3 ETF's what would they be. You answered ZSP, XIC and ZNQ. Can you please explain the rational for owning both ZSP and ZNQ. Is there not a lot of overlap between the two? And if I were to hold only these # ETF's can you also explain why you wouldn't include another international exposure ETF? I believe ZNQ is currency hedged which usually means higher fees. Is there another option to ZNQ that isn't hedged with a lower MER?
Thank you for your service.
Read Answer Asked by Cheryl on July 22, 2025
Q: Do you like these equally? Goal- growth, safety, income in TFSA for exposure outside Canada/US. Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Neil on June 05, 2025
Q: I would like to hedge my US Investments from a falling US dollar. I have USD cash to deploy and I am looking at IGOV the IShares International Treasury Bond ETF and BWX the SPDR Bloomberg International Treasury Bond ETF. What do you think of these ETF's as hedges to the USD, and do you have any alternative solutions? Thank you for your assistance.
Read Answer Asked by John on April 25, 2025
Q: I've owned IQLT for a few years now. I've noticed that the VEA top holdings are quite similar to IQLT, but at a significantly reduced MER. Is it really worth paying that much more to continue to hold IQLT? Maybe you have better insight on the differences between the two than I do (?)
Read Answer Asked by James on January 03, 2025
Q: Need to increase U.S. and Internation equity exposures in my RRSP. Current exposures are mainly from VBAL (25% weight of RRSP) and a small position in XLU, ZWU and XGD. I am considering adding SPY for U.S. equities. What do you think about this option, and what would be a good entry point? Also, what would be a good addition to increase international equity (ETF or stocks)? Knowing that you cannot provide personal answers I appreciate very much your comments. Much Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Hali on May 24, 2024
Q: Dear 5i
I need to increase my international exposure substantially . What 1-2 ETF's would be your top choices for this . What would your choice be for a basic material ETF ?
Thanks
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on May 02, 2024
Q: I'm new here and am looking to increase my international exposure. Can you recommend a few international ETFs that don't have US exposure and some that include it as part of their holdings? Should I look to these ETFs to include exposure to both established and emerging markets or strictly more developed countries? I'm looking at investing between 30% of my portfolio as I already own QQQ which represents approximately 12% of my holdings now). Thank you in advance, Elaine.
Read Answer Asked by elaine on April 04, 2024
Q: hello 5i:
we are (satisfied) holders of DIVO. Would like your take on IDVO and see its not listed in your data base yet. Is there another International ETF you'd recommend? We currently hold both VIGI and EFAV in the international space.
thanks
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 03, 2024
Q: Hi Everyone,

I am very interested in FINALLY purchasing an actively managed Global/International ETF or Mutual Fund. I have had zero such exposure in my portfolio for many years and am also currently sitting with USD in my accounts.
I have been following Mr. Hodson for many years and even though based on my personal metrics/age I still cannot contain my high risk individual stock picking tendencies.
My Investment Advisor has loaded up for decades on 'SGA Global Equity Growth Fund' and some Lazard Freres managed fund but I am not tempted to do so.

I would greatly appreciate some of your favourite recommendations in this space.

Thank you,

Dean

Read Answer Asked by Dean on March 26, 2024
Q: Hi,
I am under weight in both international and fixed income.
I have US$ cash in both my RSRP and TFSA that I'd like to invest in these areas.
Can you recommend some US$ ETF's.
Much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Camille on January 15, 2024
Q: Given a career move, my daughter (30 Years old) recently moved her pension money from HOOPP into a LIRA and RRSP. Given she has 30+ years to retirement, can you suggest a handful of ETFs that provide both sector and international exposure? Currently considering XAW for some of the monies. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Ronnie on December 08, 2023
Q: I've got North America covered for my investments through stock purchases. How would you manage the rest or the world if one wanted diversification with a dividend bent. Would you purchase one ETV such as VEA or buy a few ETFs. Also what's a good starting point for a percentage of portfolio outside of North America.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mark on November 16, 2023
Q: According to portfolio tracking and analysis, I am short on basic materials, consumer cyclical, consumer defensive, health care and industrials. I’m also significantly short on international equities. With this in mind, can you provide your top 3 to 5 companies for each sector to increase my holdings in basic materials, consumer cyclical, consumer defensive, health care and industrials. To increase my exposure in international equities, I will be investing in ETFs. Please provide and rank the top 5 ETFs with international exposure. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Don on November 14, 2023
Q: Hi

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

Thank you

Mike

Read Answer Asked by Mike on October 20, 2023
Q: I am looking to transfer money from my sons RESP into a TFSA. He is working a lot with ample overtime and likely won't require the money to cover tuition etc.. Could you please suggest some Canadian and/or U.S. etfs that would provide a well rounded portfolio to start him on his investing journey.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on July 17, 2023
Q: Can you suggest a few stocks and /or etfs either us or CDN?

Thank you, michael.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on June 22, 2023
Q: cdn110k suggestions please. ETFs or singleStocks please, us orcdn
Read Answer Asked by Michael on June 21, 2023
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