Investment Q&A

Q: HI, I just recently made the switch from mutual funds to ETF’s and a DIY strategy and am looking to lock down 4 low cost ETF’s that I will invest in for the long term (30 + years) and leaning more toward the aggressive side for these. I am looking to take advantage of some dollar cost averaging to enter the ETF market for some broad market index ETF’s in my TFSA and was looking for you opinion of some that I am trying to choose between.
Canadian Market – I am trying to choose between XIC, VCN & ZCN. They all have significant overlap and same MER so I don’t see a whole lot of difference between the three, although I am leaning towards XIU, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
US Market – I am trying to decide between VUN & VFV. The VFV has lower MER than VUN and has outperformed VUN as of late. Smaller and mid-cap companies historically had higher volatility than the large-cap companies found in the S&P 500, and so the trade-off is potentially higher growth, for potentially more volatility if you go with a total market index like what is found in VUN. The S&P 500 has outperformed the total market index as of late so I guess the question is will this continue, I am leaning towards VFV, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
International Developed – I am trying to decide between XEF & VIU, both have similar MER, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
Emerging Markets – I am trying to decide between XEC & VEE for a small percentage of my portfolio, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
These are some ETFs’ I have come across from doing build wealth Canada course and reading other materials and listening to podcasts that seem to fit my long-term outlook. I am by no means experienced in this matter and just looking to hit the ground running so If you have better suggestions for certain markets that I may have missed feel free to outline them.

Thanks
Sean

Q: I'm looking for tax-loss harvesting guidance with some ETFs. Can you provide alternatives to hold for XEF, XEC, and VUN that would likely be accepted by the CRA as non-wash? Thank you!

Q: Hello Team, thanks for providing a wonderful service! Would you have any recommendations for an Emerging Markets or Japan ETF?

Q: Hi Team,
Would you please suggest a couple of C$ denominated ETFs with focus on emerging markets.
Cheers,

Q: Hi again,
Just wondering what you would think of using a few country specific ETFs for emerging markets exposure since China, South Korea, and Taiwan make up over 50% of XEC holdings. Too much risk vs diversity? Or just stick with something like XEC or EMGF for a 10+ year hold in a risk managed growth ETF portfolio. Thanks

Q: I have been investing in ETFs for several years, using a simple 5 ETF portfolio which includes VCN (27%), XUU (27%), XEF (19%), XEC(7%), and ZAB (20%). When I use the portfolio analytics, the suggested ETF portfolio includes about 15 ETFs. Just wondering what if the added complication of the additional funds is worth the effort. I assume that yours has better downside protection as it reduces some of the concentrated sectors and perhaps has better returns? My portfolio has grown in size over the past years so I am ok with the additional work to manage the portfolio, just wanted to better understand why.

Thanks,

Q: Again another follow up on the XEC holdings.I have looked at three different financial websites. Yahoo, morningstar and TMX.
I cannot see anywhere that XEC holds IEMG as the US listed ETF.
Isn't this quite concerning as a DIY investor if one is trying to select ETF for account tax advantages? Why would we have to go to the prospectus to find out this information? Do you know of another site which might have this information?
Thanks
Jeff

Q: As a follow up to my last question re International ETF's, it looks like to me that XEC holds the international companies directly and ZEM holds 2 if not 3 US listed ETF's among some direct companies and thus would be less tax efficient, in a non registered account, as the US listed ETFs (holding the international names) would be subjected to two taxes.
I'm going by the chart put out by First asset that you referenced in a previous question on ETF Structure and tax implications.
Thanks again
Jeff

Q: As a follow up to my question on July 30 re International ETF's.
I have quite a significant shift to perform. Reduce Canadian by 30% and increase International by 30% . You gave examples of international ETF's including XEF and ZDI. Did you purposely leave out China especially given the recent tone with the US or would XEC be a decent hold as well? Maybe 1/3 in each ETF?
Is this a good time to start the switch over or would you wait a bit to see where all the markets are heading? This would mainly be for non registered accounts and gather only one layer of withholding tax which is creditable.
Thanks
Jeff

Q: This is a follow up to my question about EM ETFs.

The way I see it, XEC holds only IEMG, but in Canadian funds. With XEC, there are 2 layers of foreign withholding taxes, one from the EM countries, and one from the US, neither of which are recoverable. This amounts to up to 27.75% (15% + 15% of the remaining 85%) withholding taxes on dividends, none of which are not recoverable.

With IEMG, the US withholding taxes are recoverable, so the total withholding taxes are up to 15%. That is a significant difference.

The same holds for VEE (holds only VWO).

ZEM looks like it holds about 15% US based ETFs, and the rest are direct holdings. That means that the withholding taxes are mostly recoverable (4.16% are non recoverable (from 15% of the holding times 27.75% from the above calculation), but the rest may be, depending on the treaties Canada has with each EM country).

Is this correct reasoning?

If it is correct, are there any other EM ETFs that have mostly direct holdings in addition to ZEM? Also, why would you recommend XEC over IEMG and VEE over VWO, especially considering the lower MER for IEMG and VWO?

If my reasoning is not correct, why, and which ETFs would be best from a taxation perspective?

Thanks, and I hope my question is clear,

Fed

Q: I am wondering if any of the following do not hold all their international stocks directly (ie if they are an ETF of ETFs). I am pretty sure that XEF, IEFA, and IEMG do own all stocks directly, and I think VEE does not, but please correct me if I am wrong. I cannot seem to find information about the rest.

IEMG XEF VEE XEC IEFA VGK SPDW VWO

Thanks again,

Fed

Q: I'd like to get your comment which of the above ETF is your choice for emerging market , and why.
Thanks as always!
lil

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,

Portfolio Analytics is telling me to lighten up slightly in CDN exposure and add to International.

I hold First National (up 25%) and Corus (down God knows how much but bouncing back recently). Both in my TFSA. These were literally the first two individual stocks I ever purchased.

Just based on the fact this is a TFSA and my time horizon is decades, the answer is probably a no-brainer but I've got to ask your opinion anyways - should I dump these and roll the $ into an Intl ETF?

I've got lots of exposure (XAW) to developed markets but much less so to emerging. I am considering both VEE and XEC. Thoughts on either, or a better option?

Please deduct credits as appropriate for the multi-part question.

Thanks!

Ryan

Q: I ZEM, VEE, and XEC. The yield on ZEM is approximately 1% but the others are approximately 2 - 2.5%. My thought is to migrate from ZEM to XEC, for the improved yield.
1. Are there any significant differences between the 3 (eg tax treatment)?
2. Do you think it is worth migrating for that bit of extra yield?
3. Or there other reasons why ZEM would be good to hold? I will still have some diversification with the VEE.
thanks for your great service.

Q: Knowing Sapiens of 5i - 2 questions - do you think that over the next year some increase in exposure to emerging markets is appropriate and would you use VEE or XEC if so and IEMG for US dollar exposure or another US ETF - second might a reduction of exposure to Cdn banks seem reasonable over the next year (ie sell some TD and maybe some BNS) and buy some SLF or another financial Cdn equity for some greater torque - in other words do you suspect the banks may stagnate a bit over the next year and become income only to some extent - best guess please - appreciate your instincts - Ken of Yonge and Eg

Q: ETF tax advantage question again.
Could you expound on the different types of taxes on XEC which is an Canadian listed ETF holding emerging markets via IEMG vs holding the IEMG directly which you recommend, to be a better holding for tax purposes in an RRSP account and a non registered account?
In both my RRSP and non registered accounts there doesn't appear to be any taxes withheld when looking at the transaction history, just the dividends. Is it taxed before dividends are paid? You say it would save a layer of tax. Is there more then one?
Other then the articles recently read in you Money Saver Magazine and on the ETF newsletter is there anyway of knowing or finding out which ETF's are better suited for each accounts, tax wise? When will Mr. Mahrezs' part 2 of favorite ETFs for individual accounts be published?
Thanks
Jeff

Q: Greetings,

1. In my RRSP account I hold XEC (TSE listed) and VWO (NYSE listed) and I only want to hold one ETF.
2. XEC has only one holding and that is IEMG (NYSE listed)
3. 5i Model ETF holds VEE.

I thought that RRSP, rule of thumb for tax efficiency is to keep all my U.S listed stock here so why does it XEC exist considering it only holds a U.S listed ETF?
Are you able to help me decide which of the three options could choose?
VWO seems to have the lowest MER and best 3 year performance history.

Many thanks!

Q: In addition to some individual stocks, I'm invested in the above ETFs in a (hopefully not foolish) attempt to diversify my portfolio but also increase my exposure to the US tech market; in particular tech companies involved in cloud computing. Generally, I've been splitting my funds about equally between these four ETFs. Can you give me your thoughts on this strategy and in particular, the weighting of these ETFs (investing roughly equally between these 4 ETFs)?

Q: Hi 5i
I sold the above for a tax loss. 6 of the 8 are down since with FTS and ECN slightly up.
The 30 day period is almost up. How many of these would you consider buying back in the hopes that their share price will increase. I have a longer time horizon.
Thanks
Jeff