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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: 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?
Read Answer Asked by Chris on May 03, 2018
Q: I am 70 years old, retired, with a small company pension (not indexed), and rely on investment income for expenses. I am also a conservative investor with 85% of my portfolio in laddered GIC's. For the remaining 15%, I would like a balance of income and growth, combined with maximum geographic diversification. What do you think of this remaining 15% being divided into 30% FIE (which I already hold), 30% XIN, and 40% XAW? I have been with 5i since your inception and greatly appreciate the advice you offer. Thank you.

Paul W
Read Answer Asked by Paul W on January 17, 2018
Q: Hi,
What would be your choice for Europe, Japan, Emerging Markets ETF’s?
Thx Chris
Read Answer Asked by chris on January 10, 2018
Q: Hello,
I am in the process of taking over my mother's portfolio and getting her out of mutual funds. She likes the idea of ETF's to reduce risk vs: specific stocks. What would your top 4-6 ETF's be for a sleep at night portfolio that is well diversified globally and covers all sectors, time range 20 years? Starting portfolio value $750,000 cash by the end of January. Also how would you intelligently step into these ETF's as the markets could be positioned for a correction sometime this year?
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Steve on January 09, 2018
Q: Hi!
I'm a new investor who is interested mostly in ETFs and mutual funds. I'd like to diversify my portfolio by region (e.g. Canada, US, global, international, emerging).
I have some cash on hand that I would like to invest. However, given the ongoing bull market, I'm concerned about an imminent correction. I was wondering if you could suggest some places to invest. Is it safe to invest in international or emerging markets at this moment? Or should I keep my money in cash and wait for a correction?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Jason on November 20, 2017
Q: What would you pick as the best handful of etfs to own to build a beginner, well balanced portfolio for building up investment dollars? At what dollar amount would you see it to be more beneficial to split the money among 20-30 individual stocks rather than a few funds?
Read Answer Asked by david on October 27, 2017
Q: Awhile back you suggested for my daughter age. 27 the following ..50% VCN,30% VFV,15% XIN and VEE 5%. . IS this still recommended as she has some more funds to invest.and only wants ETF's .Happy Thanksgiving Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 10, 2017
Q: After building a portfolio in a TFSA account from a mixture of your portfolios I would like to broaden my exposure with these three ETF's. Is their any considerations when purchasing a fund like IWO that is not sold on the tsx?
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on October 02, 2017
Q: I am considering using ETF's to widen my coverage beyond Canada. Could you recommend three or four ETF's that would cover Europe, Developing markets and perhaps a US based ETF as well?
I continue to turn to your site for good ideas.
Thanks,
Bruce
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on September 25, 2017
Q: My wife and I are retired with pension income sufficient to cover monthly expenses. We are looking for some income and a bit of growth from our investments. Wondering if an investment in XIN AND XTR would help us reach our goal? Is a return of capital involved with either ETF? Also, could you suggest other ETF's that would help us to build a solid, well-divesified retirement portfolio of ETF's. Thanks so much for you guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Les on September 07, 2017
Q: My portfolio is in need of US and global exposure. Currently I only own two US stocks FB(3%) and BAC (2.8%) I also own VEE(2.4%). Can you recommend how I can add to my US and Global exposure. Also what percentage of a portfolio would you make them? I'm 38 and a rather aggressive investor.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on August 24, 2017
Q: Two questions: Can you recommend a simple/small set of low-fee ETFs for a young, long-term investor for a TFSA, and one for an RRSP? (If not the same.)

Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on August 21, 2017
Q: Hello I need to add foreign markets to to my portfolio. I was looking for an Etf in either Canadian or US funds. I was looking for one to mainly target India. One or more that that has more exposure to Japan and Korea. As well as one that's overall balanced that I will put a larger weighting in. If you fell there's a better way about doing this please produced your thoughts.

Regards

Richard
Read Answer Asked by Richard on June 06, 2017
Q: In order to avoid individual stock risk, my wife (retired) has asked my opinion on investing 30% of her total portfolio in 10% each of Canada, Europe, and the U.S. (The remaining 70% is composed of 5-year laddered GIC's) I have suggested the following... Canada would be broken down into ZWC and CDZ (on a 40/60 split), Europe would be broadly broken down into ZWE and XIN (40/60 split), and the U.S. would be broken down into ZWH and CUD (40/60 split). What do you think of this strategy? Would you recommend different ETF's to balance the covered calls for the three geographic areas? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Paul W on June 02, 2017
Q: My only exposure to equities outside of Canada is through the etf VUN. Would it be appropriate now to invest in emerging markets, Europe or world etf's? Could you please make some suggestions to compliment my Canadian and US holdings.
Thanks for your wonderful service.
Read Answer Asked by Rose on May 02, 2017
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