Investment Q&A

Q: I'm looking for a world-wide ETF to invest in long-term, without exposure to Canada. I came across XAW. It seemed like a wise choice. I like it because it's world-wide, but doesn't include Canada, and has no bond holdings.

I am currently saving for a downpayment and have about 30% of my portfolio in XBB (which will be used for the downpayment). Plus a bunch of money invested in Canada already.
1. What do you think about XAW?
2. Any other ETFs in a similar space as XAW I should consider?

Thanks!

Q: Hello, Sent a question earlier and your reply is as follows;

PA recommends to reduce my technology exposure which is at 38%. Only problem is I am unsure which tickers to get rid of, like them all.

In my RRSP; OTEX at 4% and XAW at 21% not a direct tech exposure but does hold plenty of tech, just not sure how much.

LIRA: SHOP at 6.5%( recently chopped it from 9% to 5%), LSPD 5%, KXS 3%, QST 2.2%,

TSFA: CUSat 5%

Which one would you pull the plug on?

Tks

Asked by Rino on August 22, 2019
5i Research Answer:

XAW is currently about 22% technology. We like all the names here, and there is nothing stopping you from selling some of each if you want to lower exposure. XAW at 21% is a large position and could also be moved to 15% or so in our view. It has not performed so well either. If you want to sell just one we would lean to QST as the smallest and riskiest.

I should have also mentioned that PA also suggest to reduce my canadian exposure which is above 60%. That is the reason why my XAW exposure is at 21%. Having said that if I were to sell roughly 6% of XAW, can you suggest another non canadian etf to invest in? Seeing that XAW covers basically everything for my international exposure.

Thanks again!

Q: Hi team,

PA recommends to reduce my technology exposure which is at 38%. Only problem is I am unsure which tickers to get rid of, like them all.

In my RRSP; OTEX at 4% and XAW at 21% not a direct tech exposure but does hold plenty of tech, just not sure how much.

LIRA: SHOP at 6.5%( recently chopped it from 9% to 5%), LSPD 5%, KXS 3%, QST 2.2%,

TSFA: CUSat 5%

Which one would you pull the plug on?

Tks

Q: 2 questions - please deduct as many points as needed.
Q1 - according to Portfolio Analytics, I need to increase my fixed income allocation by $90k. I own 4% positions in XBB, ZIC & PMO005 and 2.6% in CPD. Would you recommend adding to one of these or would you suggest adding another ETF?
Q2 - I need to add $125k to International exposure. Current international holdings include XAW, XMI & XEC at just over 2%. Should i add to anyone of these or add something else?

Q: Hi 5i
I am completely new to the world of ETFs but, according to Portfolio Analytics (and I did know it was a good idea before being told, really I did) I need to add US and International exposure to my portfolio. I think the only reasonable way for me to do that given I don't/can't follow non-Canadian equity markets is through ETFs.
I would like to place 55K in US ETFs and 45K in International ETFs and this will, for now, comprise the entire non-Canadian portion of my portfolio.
I am not adverse to some above average risk and while I'd like income I'm more interested in growth.
In researching where to place this money I've concluded that I might not have the candle power necessary to make rational decisions about ETFs because of the distinct possibility of purchasing ETFs that hold the same or similar underlying equities from the same or similar geographies in the same or similar sectors (assuming I'm not just concentrating on discrete sectors). Left to my own devices I feel that I could very possibly purchase a little bundle of different ETFs that are all essentially but unintentionally quite similar.
My question is two-fold:
1. Is my concern about concentration valid or have I misinterpreted the lay of the land, and
2. Could you suggest 4 or 5 US ETFs and a similar # of International ETFs that I can consider and that won't have the type of overlap I'm worried about.
I realize this is a broad and general (and perhaps rambling) question - so please deduct as many credits as you think is warranted.
Thanks a lot!
Peter

Q: Hello,

Portfolio analytics is suggestion that I go 75/25 equity to income and from the 75% equity to allocate 35% into US, 35% in International and 30% into CND. Suggested ETFs for US and International are VUN, VIU and VEE. How would you view instead of holding three funds I go with one, either VXC or XAW? Or do you feel that is too much into just one ETF Also, which one is better suited for an RRSP account.

Thank you.

Q: I need raise money from my cash account.
Current dividends have been paid.
What would you sell first, second, third,4th, etc.?

Thank you ian

Q: What are your thoughts on the discretionary sector at this point of the cycle, specifically XCD?
I considering a sell on a smallish XCD position to top up XAW.
Thank you.
Mike

Q: Hi 5i,

A portfolio construction question. I've selected a mix of XTR (36%), XSB (7%), CDZ (17%), XAW (19%), and then a mix of laddered GIC options (17%) and a small cash holding (4%). This is for a family member's portfolio, retired, needing income, security, and modest growth (in that order).

This ends with an allocation of approx. 55% equities and 45% fixed income/cash, and 69% Canada, 22% USA, and 9% Global.

This mix also generates distributions/dividends almost dead on 4%/year, so following the 4% withdrawal rule more or less allows for not needing to sell anything to cover cash flow needs.

Wondering if you could comment on the ETF selections and overall structure with the understanding of course that its always a highly personal decision. More just want to know if you have better ETF or security selections for this scenario...

Thank you so much!
Ryan

Q: Hi, could u tell me if there is much overlap between these two funds, XAW and VGRO, if not, do u think they would compliment each other, thanks?

Q: Trying to get a bit more geographic diversification in a TFSA account that is, at present, all Canadian equities. Would you suggest something like HXS for US diversification with the swap arrangement to limit tax implications? Or would something like VGRO make more sense with greater geographic diversification and a little fixed income?

Thanks for the great service,

Doug

Q: Hi,
I want to increase my US and International equity exposure by using $US ETFs (VIG and VXUS respectively) but the Canadian dollar is pretty weak right now (improving slightly lately). Does it make sense to convert to $US for this investment (long-term horizon) when there could well be significant headwinds if the Canadian dollar continues to strengthen. Also, valuations are higher in the US than in Canada, but International looks to be relatively cheap. Thoughts on how to proceed?
Regards, Michael

Q: Hi,

I am trying to choose between these 2 ETFs for global coverage ex-Canada. They seem pretty similar but XAW invests in US ETFs while VXC invests directly in companies. Is there a fiscal disadvantage in XAW (to be held in cash account)?

Thanks

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan and team,
Could you provide me with your top 3 ETF's for the US, listed in Canada as well as the US for an RRSP & LIRA accounts as well as 3 International/World ETF's for the same accounts, taking into consideration any withholding taxes that may apply or not.
Thanks as always for your great service, much appreciated
Ivan

Q: Good morning - I'm in the process of re-structuring my TFSA into ETF's. I want to achieve a balance of exposure to domestic, US and International markets. Would you recommend use of the TD e-series or the Vanguard and iShares combination?
Thank you

Q: What Canadian listed ETFs that are invested more so in growth stocks would be suitable for a TFSA with a mid to long term horizon? I wish to have geographic diversification through one or more ETFs and one or more ETFs investing in small to mid-cap stocks. If there are mutual funds that have better performance, after fees, please list as well.

Q: Hi there, I asked a question a little while ago about the BE Portfolio and diversity. Another member asked a follow up question where you suggested this breakdown:

"Allocations need to be highly personalized; a suggestion might be: 35% BE, 15% XIC; 40% VFV, 10% VXUS."

Is there a TSX listed ETF that would be similar to VXUS?

Thanks!

Q: Hi 5i,
The majority of my portfolio (70% - i.e. everything non-Canadian) is invested in XAW & XUU, which I add my savings to regularly to keep my geographic allocations where I want them.

I will shortly be receiving a sizable (to me) lump sum from the sale of a small business and will be putting most if not all of it into my portfolio. My question is about currency hedging on ETFs like the ones I use. I don't have any hedged investments now. I've read everything I can find on the subject and it seems smarter money, especially with long term investment horizons, stays away from these hedged options.

I know that fact alone probably answers my own question. But, with a sizeable one-time contribution, I cant help wondering if our current 75/76/77 cent dollar might be hovering at its lows, and maybe hedging should be considered? Looking for your opinion on that subject, and also how you feel in general about the two ETFs noted above. Any better suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Q: Is there much duplication between xaw and vee? I'm aiming to be properly diversified internationally. I hold both as well as cdz as a part of a balanced eft equity portfolio. Thoughts?

Q: I'm a new DIY investor who is 15 yrs from retirement with a full DB pension.
I will be transferring my big bank mutual funds into an online brokerage and borrowing a lump sum to invest within TFSA and non-registered accounts.
Currently, I'm considering XIC, XAW, and QQQ with, say, a 30/50/10 allocation. The remaining 10% would be for 'conviction' stocks.
Is this a reasonable approach? How would you improve on it?
Thanks!