Investment Q&A

Q: Would you prefer the hedged or unhedged versions of these ETFs for a RRIF?

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: Hello. I currently hold zdi in my cash account and am thinking of increasing my exposure to this part of the world (now about 1.5% of that portfolio). I'm wondering about the pros and cons of doing this by adding zea. I realize it doubles my exposure to the UK, but it also adds more of Japan. Alternately, I could just buy more of zdi. Your recommendation, please.

Q: Hi Team I am looking for both ETF and stock exposure to Europe. The above two ETF's seem like good choices? Would you recommend them or do you have some other ETF preferences? Also are there a couple of European stocks you would recommend? I currently own LXFT, Luxoft and am looking at EEFT. Euronet. Thanks Team Chris

Q: What are your thoughts on this ETF? Is there another one that you prefer over ZEA? I currently have no ETF for outside exposure beyond Canada.

Thanks

Q: Hi 5i Research team,

What is your analysis of Centamin PLC considering the last quarter was not very good? Do you think it will recover and do better going forward?
Thank you,
Bashir

Q: I know these iShares ETFs were just released, but wondering if you were able to form an opinion on these based on its current holdings. The MER seems quite reasonable and am wondering you feel these would be suitable to gain diversification outside of Canada.

Thank you!

Q: Hi team:
I do not want to invest out side Canada more then what I already have.I would like to invest in Canadian companies that have much of their income in other countries mostly Europe and developing markets.Could you provide a longish list of possible good investments with the above in mind. It would help if the were safe and had a div. Please include ETF'S if you like.
many thanks
Yossi

Q: What do you think of SDIV as an income and diversity vehicle?
Thanks
Don

Q: I presently have no exposure to Europe in my portfolio and wish to add a 5% position by buying a ETF. Should I buy edge or not edge ETF, seeing the weakness in the currencies? Income is not the primary goal but I want good total return of course. I prefer good quality companies, participating in the recovery as opposed to momentum plays or startups. Could you suggest one or two Canadian ETF.

Q: If memory serves me well, at one time you were recommending the FEZ ETF for European exposure. I bought some two years ago. More recently you have been recommending VE. What I like about FEZ in the current environment is that it has no direct exposure to the UK, a country that seems to have a cloudy economic future these days. VE, in contrast, has 29% of its assets in the UK. FEZ’s MER is a bit higher, but not by much, and its yield (before withholding tax) is also higher. FEZ has 50 holdings while VE has 1262. Are you leaning more toward VE these days because it can be bought directly in Canada while FEZ must be bought in the US market? Or is it the (modest) small cap exposure in VE that you like? Or the much greater number of holdings? Or something else?

Q: I would appreciate your opinion of TRILOGY INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS Inc( Symbol TRL).

Thanks!

Q: I hold the following ETF’s in a Non-Registered account. It is sort of a general purpose portfolio with a bit of emphasis on the health care sector (just because I think it is coming due). My question is with additional cash to add should I look for another ETF or add to the existing ones? I guess I am saying do I need more diversification or is there another particular sector I could emphasize?

Canada
iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index Fund

US
Vanguard US Total Mkt Ind ETF
AdvisorShares Focused Equity

Europe
Vangrd FTSE Dev Europe All Cap

Health Care
BMO EqWt US HthCare Hedged CAD
iShares Global Healthcare ETF

Emerging Markets
BMO India Equity Index ETF
Fairfax India Holdings
Fairfax Africa Holdings

Q: Can you offer any insight to Burford Capital. I believe it's traded on the LSE.

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: To add some diversity to my Canadian holdings, over the last 5 years I've held VUS, VFV and VEF. VEF is about 11% of the portfolio. The 2 US ETFs have outperformed VEF almost 2 to 1.
My question is do you think it's necessary to have EAFE exposure? I'm thinking of selling VEF to raise cash so I'm ready for the next dip in north American markets. Thanks for all of your great advice over the years. cheers

Q: I want to play the European financial sector in an ETF(s) that is(are) currency neutral. What would you suggest?
Thanks, Hugh

Q: I am interested in investing Europe ETF. Can you please advise which one is best to own in your view. Currently, I hold only Emerging VEE ETF at 3% holding. What would you suggest maximum allocation in Emerging and Europe ETF?

Q: I'm looking for international exposure with more weighting on consumer staples rather than financials, since we have a lot here in Canada already. The best I can find is "ZLI" from BMO. When I look at the holdings, I recognize very little, and am concerned about the quality of those companies. Sure, an ETF is transparent, but if I have no way to "measure" the quality of the holdings, is this transparency useful? Can you help me out with this? Thank you.

Q: Hello I need to add foreign markets to to my portfolio. I was looking for an Etf in either Canadian or US funds. I was looking for one to mainly target India. One or more that that has more exposure to Japan and Korea. As well as one that's overall balanced that I will put a larger weighting in. If you fell there's a better way about doing this please produced your thoughts.

Regards

Richard