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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: Dear 5i,

I am aiming to configure a fixed-income allocation that is an equal compromise between safety/security and long-term total return potential. I would like to choose ETFs that are versatile enough that they may continue to be reasonably held irrespective of changes in market, interest rate, inflation, and economic conditions. Which configuration do you think would be most appropriate for fulfilling this mandate:

1. 100% VAB
2. 50% VAB, 50% VCB or ZCM
3. 25% VAB, 25% VSB, 50% VCB or ZCM
4. 50% VCB or ZCM, 50% intermediate-duration (~5 years) Canadian government bond ETF (does one exist?)
5. another configuration (please suggest)?

I would prefer to avoid the higher risk XHY and CPD. Why does 5i prefer CLF (VSG is cheaper and similar) and CBO (VSC is cheaper and similar)? VCB is relatively new and has only $12.7M in net assets at this time, is this a problem? Or should I opt for the costlier but similar ZCM?

I realize there are actually many embedded questions in this 'question', so please deduct as many credits as appropriate. I am sure your answer will be well worth it.

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Walter on June 26, 2017
Q: What is your opinion of buying any or all of the above at this time for some US exposure generally and for these sectors specifically.Please rank them in the order you'd recommend them and I understand the limitation of your opinion regarding US equities. Thanks - Ken
Read Answer Asked by Ken on June 26, 2017
Q: Dear 5i,

Please critique the following proposed index ETF portfolios (only equity portion provided, fixed income allocation will be identical in each)

1.
20% VCN
20% ZLB
40% VFV
10% VIU
10% ZLI

2.
20% XIC
20% ZLB
20% XUU
20% ZLU
10% XEF
10% ZLI

3.
40% XMV
40% XMU
15% XMI
5% XMM

With these portfolios, I am attempting to achieve greater sector diversification than if I went with strictly broad-market indices, with a defensive tilt. Which do you think is best (in terms of long-term, risk-adjusted total return potential) for long-term hold/accumulation with annual rebalance to initial weights, and what changes would you suggest (if any)?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Walter on June 22, 2017
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.
Read Answer Asked by Rene on June 21, 2017
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?
Read Answer Asked by Philip on June 21, 2017
Q: Hi 5i Team:
A couple of thanks first before getting to my question.
1. Thanks for the fantastic job you did on my portfolio review and the suggested transactions.
2. Thanks for your opinion and feedback on annuities.
I have some money to add to my fixed income. Are you still liking CLF for government bonds and CBO for investment grade corporate bonds. Time horizon is very long term. Or do you have some other suggestions.
Thanks so much.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on June 21, 2017
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


Read Answer Asked by David on June 20, 2017
Q: Would you put money into biotech seasonally ? In the past I have done well on Celgene ... However , I have taken quite a hit on Gillead, so I am cautious.
Or should I look at the ETFs for a broader/safer play ?
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on June 20, 2017
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