Investment Q&A

Q: I have 30% of my money in diversified CDN equities and don't need the money for 20 years.
I am not interested in bonds or REITs. I was considering putting the other 70% in the following ETF's.
45% VFV
18% VUN
18% XQQ
11% XEF
8% VEE
This would put around 57% of the total money in the USA. I am fine with that.
The MER would be around 0.18% based on the blend. I know this breaks your rule of keeping less than 25% in one fund. It also places a lot of money in Vanguard - which has been around since 1975, but nothing is for sure. Wondering what you think of this set up and also maybe I could sub out VUN for XUU. This would make 53% Vanguard and 47% iShares. Trading VUN for XUU would lower the MER a little as VUN is 0.16% and XUU is 0.07%

Q: CIF 823 is the last remnant from the portfolio of my former financial advisor. How would you assess this mutual fund? Would an ETF (or several) be a preferred replacement?
Your input is always appreciated!

Q: For international developed equity I own VEF and the asset allocator is suggesting VIU. Is there enough of a difference between these two for me to switch?

Q: Hi - looking for recommendation for ETF recommendations within my TFSA. 40% of TFSA will be for this ETF mix and 60% is in your Balanced Equity model. Long term investment horizon for me as in mid 30s. Any recommendations?

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: Hello 5i:
What do you think of ZDI vs XEF? Are they both expose to the same regions internationally? Which one is better for international exposure? Thank you.

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: I have about $10,000 I would like to get some non-U.S., foreign exposure with. Maybe an ETF or 2, a dividend would be great but not if it takes away all the growth. Would you recommend China, India or Europe? I know it will limit my choices but I would like to purchase it in Canadian dollars. Thank you so much :-)

Q: Hi.

Comparing Global ETFs (XEF, VXC) [7-year AARR ~6.3%] versus MFs (RBF1067, RBF1370, MAW120, AIM1593) [10-year AARR net MER ~10%].

Hard to compare these with the tools I have at my disposal, but it appears that smart management of Global investments maybe be worth the MER ding. Your thoughts?

Haven't owned in MF in years, but maybe it makes sense here...

Thank you.

Q: What are your favorite europe ETF , would probably split 5% of the portfolio (150 000$ total portfolio in RRSP) between 2-3 to get better exposure (euro zone vs euro+uk)(large vs total market)
No hedge etf. 7-10 year horizon

Also, with 30% us , 5% china, 3 % india, 5 europe, 3% XAW, 40% canada, where would you suggest to invest the remaining 14%?

I was thinking 5% japan etf, 3 % frontier etf, 6% basket of EM (to cover taiwan, south korea with minimal china, russia, turkey and brazil allocation)

I have plenty time to manage, so not an issue, but would probably only rebalance occasionally (if worth the fees)

Q: Just sold mutual funds and want to transition to low fees ETF's for the portion of my portfolio outside of Canada. It is for my RRSP, 15 years from retirement. I was thinking SPY / XEF and VEE for the equities side. Do you have something better to propose? I would need help for the fixed income portion, 1 or 2 ETFs please. Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i - I have some new money to put to work and would like to round out my Canadian portfolio with some US and International ETFs. Currently I have some XSP and nothing else outside Canada. Can you provide some suggestions and an example weighting for an investor looking 20 years out with tolerance for risk? Thanks, Neil

Q: Hi,

For a long term position ~ 10% of total portfolio, with broad international equity exposure outside North America, currency not really a factor, was considering XIN vs VXUS vs XEF.
1) preference of three or worth it to purchase more than one?
2) other suggestions?
3) any concerns with 10% of portfolio in any of these single ETFs?

Q: I purchased XEF about a year ago to secure diversify outside North America. I am up all of about 2.3% and can't help thinking there must be an ETF out there that would provide similar geographic diversity (this is my only holding outside NA), with a better return on investment. Can you suggest one with a comparable risk profile and - preferably - dividend? Thank you.

Q: Could you comment on XEF as the sole holding for non-N.American exposure, and what would you consider the maximum holding as a percent of total portfolio? Are there any other ETFs that you prefer for this purpose?
Thank-you

Q: I wish to get international equity exposure in my portfolio using XEF or XIN, along with XEC for emerging markets. Currently international exposure is negligible.

What do you think an appropriate international weighting would be in a portfolio that is 90% equity/10% fixed income.

I was thinking 15% developed markets (such as XEF) and up to 5% emerging markets (XEC). Thoughts?

Q: Good evening,

Multi-part question.

Had just finished reading ‘The Little Book of common sense Investing’, decide to make the switch, and am beginning to plan my transition to CPD, ZAG, VFV, XEF, VCN, VEE, and XRE, when I come across the new Vanguard products, of which VBAL to me seems the most interesting.

I see the pros of this ETF as being straightforward and dropping from 7 commission fees (re-balancing myself), vs just one trade a year to add money (portfolio currently around $26,000).

Cons: no preferreds or real estate. Less control (e.g they decide the asset allocations).

Do you have an opinion on this ETF?

Not sure the yield on VBAL but am guessing 2.5-3% maybe? Any idea?

Also, If I go ahead with VBAL would you give it some time to settle down (trading looks a little erratic), or is that volatility purely a product of price changes of its holdings already?

Thanks!

Q: Can I have your opinion and comparisons on these 3 international ETF for a long term core holding, to compliment VIG in an RRSP, which is best and why. No international exposure at the moment. I understand that XEF and ZEA both track the same index however I'm not sure why XEF would hold its own ETF for a 7% holding.

Q: When would be a good time to make these acquistions?

Q: I am thinking of purchasing these ETF's and wondering if you might give me your thoughts?
Thank you!