Investment Q&A

Q: What would you pick as the best handful of etfs to own to build a beginner, well balanced portfolio for building up investment dollars? At what dollar amount would you see it to be more beneficial to split the money among 20-30 individual stocks rather than a few funds?

Q: I would appreciate your thoughts on how one should diversify his investments geographically, (Canada, United States, and Internationally). What do you think would be the percentages I should allocate to each area? I realize allocation is a personal decision but I'm looking for some kind of general guideline. I consider myself to be an average investor and therefore willing to accept some risk.
Being a member of 5i, and following your guidance, I think I have the my Canadian investments under control but I would appreciate some help for the U.S. and international allocations.
I would also appreciate it if you would suggest your favourite ETF to invest in the United States and internationally.

Q: Good morning! Could you please give your choice of a Emerging Markets ETF. I have just looked at Goldman Sachs "GEM" which has been recommended. Do you like it or is there another that you would choose. Thanks, as always your opinion is so appreciated.

Q: Hi,

I am looking for a good emerging markets ETF. In my screens there are so many to choose from and many with high Dividends, along with very strong gains, which of course I like. Since I know nothing about which countries and sectors to look for, could you recommend 2 or 3 good Emerging Market ETFS, preferably with a solid dividend and high growth potential, and also at a value price if possible. I am not overly concerned about risk and have no exposure in this area. Thank You.

Q: Awhile back you suggested for my daughter age. 27 the following ..50% VCN,30% VFV,15% XIN and VEE 5%. . IS this still recommended as she has some more funds to invest.and only wants ETF's .Happy Thanksgiving Paul

Q: I have diversified my portfolio to include US stocks. Would now like to diversify into European and emerging markets. What ETF's would you recommend? The majority of my stocks are based on your Balanced Equity Portfolio.

Q: I will reword my last question to be better understood, which equity Etf's would you recommend for each region of the world outside Canada, in other words, your favorites, thanks?

Q: I am considering using ETF's to widen my coverage beyond Canada. Could you recommend three or four ETF's that would cover Europe, Developing markets and perhaps a US based ETF as well?
I continue to turn to your site for good ideas.
Thanks,
Bruce

Q: Hi,
What's the best account to hold VEE?

If you want to hold an emerging market ETF, then is it just a fact of life that there will be withholding taxes? Or is there some way around that?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: I'm interested in VGK, VWO and VPL. They've all been doing quite well for some time now. Would you wait for some weakness before buying, or do you expect that all these funds will continue to outperform? I notice that the first two funds are doing a bit better than their Canadian-dollar counterparts, VE and VEE. Would you attribute that mainly to the composition of the funds? Thanks very much for your advice.

Q: to invest in Emerging mkts, what is difference between VEE and VWO and which would you prefer? Or could you name 2 or 3 EM stocks that you prefer instead. thx. Helen

Q: Two questions: Can you recommend a simple/small set of low-fee ETFs for a young, long-term investor for a TFSA, and one for an RRSP? (If not the same.)

Thanks very much.

Q: I am thinking of purchasing these ETF's and wondering if you might give me your thoughts?
Thank you!

Q: Hello, I'm looking for broad market exposure to emerging market equities and emerging market debt. Can you recommend any ETFs that are unhedged? so far I came across LEBM on the debt side and XEC on the equity side that seem ok. thanks for your time. Matt

Q: do you recommend reducing exsposure from USA and Canadian stocks and add a bit of European and Emerging market and if so what mutual funds or stocks would you recommend that are available on the Canadian or usa markets that would accomplish this

Q: Hello again. I’m interested to know how to consider currency when deciding between hedged, unhedged, and US dollar ETFs. In your answer to my last question, you mentioned that you prefer VPL over VAH; how was currency a factor in your judgment? Also wondering if you would approach European ETFs similarly, with respect to fluctuations between the Euro, USD and CAD (e.g. VEH, VE, VGK). Are there separate currency considerations I should take into account for each region, including EM? (e.g. VEE vs VWO)

When I hear professionals recommend CAD-hedged ETFs when the USD is falling, it sounds tactical but what if an investor has a long time horizon in mind? I’ve heard that unhedged ETFs yield better returns over time, say for a period of 15 years, but I’m wondering if US dollar ETFs are even more preferable, considering that I’ve already got some US cash ready to deploy.

Thanks for clearing up my confusion!

Q: I'm considering various ETFs (mostly from Vanguard) for global exposure and I just wanted to get your thoughts:

Asia/Pacific - VPL or VAH
Europe - VEH or ZWE
EM - VEE or VE
USA - VUN or VIG or VGG
Global - VT, VIGI, VYMI, VXC (would it make sense to buy all of these, or is there too much overlap?)

These would all be held for many years. I don't need the income from dividends, but a decent yield is always nice. Currently wondering about things like hedged vs unhedged, fund size, growth potential. Thanks for the advice.

Q: I currently hold both these ETFs, VEF seems to be a better return, would you recommend one over the other, and if so why?

Q: Hi 5i team,
I currently have the above ETFs. I find that the dividend are a bit low (~2%). I was wondering if there are alternatives to the above in the 4-5% dividend range for income?

Andrew

Q: I currently have, in ETFs, 20% in U.S. (VTI) and 10% in international (5% in VEF and 5% in VEE). I'm thinking that long term my U.S. and Int'l should be equal weight as one never knows what countries will perform the best. What are your thoughts on this and recommendations? Thank you.