Investment Q&A

Q: Going forward, how much would you allocate between US/ Canada? What is the minimum you would recommend for international exposure? Was thinking of XEF and/or ZEM?

Thanks for your advice!

Q: First a big thank you for the terrific returns we received in 2020 thanks to your stellar guidance (our largest holdings we first discovered through 5i -hello LSPD,XBC and WELL!). We gifted our kids memberships in December and praise your service to everyone. This is truly an invaluable service.
Now to the question, my brother is tired of paying high fees for his CIBC pension holdings. When I looked into this for him last year, some pools had MER in the 2% range! He’s moved the following into cash and is looking for lower fee/higher return alternatives in the following areas of his pension account:
-Imperial Canadian Dividend Income Pool
-Imperial Canadian Equity High Income Pool
-Imperial US Equity Pool
-Imperial International Equity Pool
-Imperial Short Term Bond Pool
-Imperial Long Term Bond Pool
Please charge as many questions as required.

Q: I currently have ZSP AND XAW and wanted to know if adding XEF would be a good fit with the other 2 ETF?

Thanks

Q: Hi, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!

Q: I'm currently trying to diversify my RIF account for 2021. I've trimmed some over weight holdings to free up some cash. I have NA covered with stocks in Canada and a couple of ETF's for the US but, nothing for the rest of world.
How would you currently rate the above now, hopefully for the coming recovery post COVID. I note, South America is not represented. do I need to consider it separately?
I'm inclined to go with 2 positions @ about 6% ......your opinion please!
All the best to you and everyone at 5i for the new year!

Q: Whats are your thoughts on the following sets of ETFs ?

Set -1

iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (XUU)
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)
Invesco QQQ (QQQ)

set-2

XEC, XEF, XIC, VUN

Q: In a previous question I asked the following:

I am looking to purchase both XEF and ZEM to increase my international exposure. Any recommendations of percentage allocations to each? Thank You
Answer:
We can't personalize allocations, but if we owned these we would look to 10% XEF and 5% ZEF.

In relationship to your answer, Portfolio Analytics suggests I have 35% in foreign market exposure and the answer given would make up 15% of the 35%. Are there any other ETF's you would suggest to make up the remaining 20%? I realize you don't give personized advise, however I'm looking for a generalization to increase my international exposure?
Thank You

Q: I am looking to purchase both XEF and ZEM to increase my international exposure.
Any recommendations of percentage allocations to each?
Thank You

Q: Overall happy with my portfolio, shifted some riskier holdings to more largecap/div arristocrat ETFs to ride out the fun so far this year. Wondering if we are getting to good timing for shifting some assets to more aggresive/targeted holdings. I would like to sell some VIG and replace it with something else. Say 2X 2% positions. What 2 holdings would you buy right now in a registered account to replace VIG, or would you justt continue to hold VIG at this time. Only restriction is to not be canadian but could be CAD$ fund or ETF. Some options I am considering are rbf1067 or XEF for 1 position and the other a US or global/china play stock like baba. Looking for momentum upside as compared to VIG.

Q: I have about 8 grand of my portfolio allocated for these 2 ETFS. Just wondering how you would weight them. For a 20 year hold. Maybe lean toward Japan as they are more allied with the US, but then again Japan is drowning under Debt.
thanks

XEF = Japan, UK, France, Switzerland, Germany,
XEC = China, Taiwan, Korea, Brazil, India

Q: I need to increase my Global ETF or ETFs (ex- North America) exposure. I currently have some VIU but am wondering if I should consider a couple geographic areas: Europe, Asia, Japan etc. My preference would be something I can hold in CAD non-hedged and preferred non covered call.

Q: Looking to increase my exposure in International Equities. Currently have 20% of entire portfolio in XEC/XEF at a 75/25% split. Are these fine ETF to continue to purchase or do you recommend better international ETF.

Q: Hi,

I use these two broad ETF's to get exposure outside N.A. I'm in my late 30's and a growth investor. I know you can't give personalized advice, but what would be your suggested allocation towards these four buckets, VEE, XEF, Cdn, and US stocks? I have a spreadsheet to keep track of my holdings and allocate my holdings based on where they trade, although many companies may generate revenue in other countries. Is this too simplistic? I'm just trying to keep it easy to manage.

Thanks!

Q: Hi 5i
I am looking to add international exposure to my portfolio and would like your recommendations

Q: Which currently available Canadian EFT/s with would you recommend for purchase to increase international companies content in a portfolio?
Thank you,
Miroslaw

Q: All of my international holdings in my portfolio are in XEF and ZDI. I'm an income investor primarily. Do these two holding offer enough diversification? Is there a international dividend ETF that your prefer over ZDI?

Thanks,

Joe

Q: Hi 5i,
I am considering selling my position in XIN. Would you have a better replacement in this inviroment

Q: July 10 2019 you gave the following opinion on EDG100
"We are generally not huge fans of mutual funds for their higher fees, but EDG100 is an exception that has consistently justified the higher fees through its performance. We would be fine keeping it."
1) Just wondering what your thoughts are on this mutual fund today and are the high fee still justified by it performance?
2) What alternative that operate in the same space would you suggest looking into?

Q: As part of my shift from managed products to ETFs I need to top up all or a combination of ve, spy and xef. This will be a rather large transaction so I am leaning towards 25% of the amount in each ETF and keeping 25% in cash counting on covid related market dips over the next few months.

Q: Looking to add some tax efficient income to an otherwise well diversified portfolio. What do you think of the above mentioned ETFs? Could you suggest a couple of more?
Thank you!