Investment Q&A

Q: I am currently moving some of my portfolio from stocks to ETF's. I want only a plain vanilla flavoured portfolio. I have been going through your questions and answers regarding ETF's, and given the diversity of situations and dates, I am getting a little confused. i wonder if you could suggest the best for broad canada, broad U.S., and international?
thanks

Q: I hold ETFs that track the S&P500, TSX and the All Cap Ex NA index, both hedged and non-hedged. I'm considering adding an emerging market ETF but I'm concerned about the heavy China weighted that most such ETFs have. Your advice would be appreciated. In particular, can you suggest one that has a lower China weighting?

Q: Could you please comment on this ETF. I have held CWW for about 5 years and done well but am wondering what, if any, other approach you would take to replacing this investment in the water related sector? Many thanks.

Q: Baba dropped 7% yesterday b/c of sec investigation for accounting questions.
Should I hang in or is this a buying opportunity?
Is this a stock you would buy.?

Q: Hi Peter and Ryan
I have held HSBC for several years and am down about 40%. It is in a registered account and provides a good dividend. I have some US cash in the account and am considering adding to it. Do you think the dividend is sustainable?Do you think this is a worthwhile move? I realize you don't cover ADRs but your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all you do.
Gary

Q: good morning , if you had to pick one or two european ETFs that pays a dividend , what would it be? thanks.

Q: I read with interest your recent article in the Post and was intrigued by the comment that research shows 90% of portfolio returns come from sector allocation - if a person wanted to take advantage of that, in a simple, easy to manage and inexpensive way (ignoring taxes for the moment) what would be your view be on an approach where one's equity component of their portfolio consisted entirely of a number of ETF's with each one of the ETF's focused on a particular sector, with a periodic (say quarterly) rebalancing? What specific ETF's would you suggest for such a portfolio? Thank you.

Q: Hello Peter and Team, What are thoughts about this ETF for a 3 year hold ? Thank you.

Q: If you could give me your thoughts on these 2 etf's RSX.US and FXI.US, as they seem to be cheap, and they pay a decent dividend. Russia seems to be a play on energy and going through a recession, and China a play on manufacturing, also slowing down, can these two countries be added to a portfolio for growth long term(5-10years)? Your thoughts! Also will I have to pay 15% withholding to the Americans for these 2 country specific ETF's, and is their a way to avoid paying the Americans dividend withholding for other country specific ETF's?

Q: Hi,
My brother is a Primerica agent (err..salesperson). Im not big on Primerica as a company at all. He keeps pushing though about this large cap fund ( http://www.fidelity.ca/cs/Satellite/en/public/products/mutual_funds/equity_funds/cdn_equity/bu) supposed to have great long term returns. One of the things I don't like about this is the management rate of 2.28%.
Im not an active investor, but have some exposure to real estate (through reits) and a little finance through CM.
I am young and have tfsa savings and want to invest in long term growth (etfs maybe?). Could you offer some recommendations on good long term low cost, passive investments?

Your website is awesome and Ill be signing up as a member tonight!

Thanks
Dave

Q: What is your opinion of Purpose Best Ideas fund, thanks?

Q: Hello,

I am looking to get some exposure in emerging markets. I currently own only Canadian and US equity. I am looking into ETFs, more specifically; XAW, XEF, VEE, amongst others. I'm looking to invest moderate to long term.

Doing you have a preference amongst those, or other suggestions? Secondly, do you think the timing is right, especially with respects to China? And finally, which countries/continents would you have a preference for?

Thank you

Q: If I buy an country specific etf listed in the USA like the ones mentioned do I still have to pay the 15% dividend withholding tax to the Americans if the dividend is coming from non USA companies in a non registered account? Moreover, your opinion on both etf's

Q: ETFs--ZPW,ZWA,ZWB..ZWH,ZWE--all yield 5-7% range . Are these ETFs a benefit for yield -- 3 yr. hold --- looking for income . Would like your assessment & thoughts

Q: For international exposure, I have some ZDM in my portfolio but should I be worried enough about BREXIT to dump it?

Q: I read an article today in the businessinsider.com by a Joe Quinlan extolling the virtues of buying stock in emerging market countries. He seems to think the upside is huge and the times to buy is now.
Would you agree with this opinion and would VEE be a good option for such an investment? With thanks, Bill

Q: Hi Peter,
Please can you comment on BP stock for a long term investment. It has a good 7+ div and looks good for jump on oil recovery over a long term horizon. my other oil investment is WCP and SGY (will increase my sector allocation to 12%)

Q: I'm a conservative investor and planning on investing 60% of my Portfolio on the following ETFS.
ZLU, NMW, ZUQ, ZGQ, ZWH and FHC, what are your thoughts?

Thanks Valter.

Q: Could you give me your opinion on ZWE as a replacement for some idle cash and for dividend earnings in my RIF. Thanks for your advice.

Q: Hi, I have these 4 ETFs in my wife's accounts, in approximately equal weights:
XIC
CDZ
VDU
VUN

Does that look about right to you for an ETF investor?

Thanks,
Robert