Investment Q&A

Q: You mentioned VCN as an 'all Canada' approach, but I can't help but comment that it hasn't done very well since 2013 or am I missing something?

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: Hi Peter, VCN and XAW are in one portfolio, VXC is in another. Would you add to these or is there a better choice considering the Canadian dollar or Covid? Thanks.

Q: Looking for a 2nd opinion.
My wife has stayed out of the stock market for quite some time. I think now's a great time to get in.
We've got about $75K in her RRSP/LIRA My strategy for her is as follows:
XBB 20%
VCN 15%
XUS 40%
XAW 25%
The plan is to buy in in installments over the next 3 months.
Are there alternate ETFs that may be better than the allocation above?
Does this strike you as reasonable ?

Q: Peter
I am not to familiar with ETF'S
I just bought a little of CDZ last week i am looking for another one to hold for atleast 3 to 5 years in my TFSA . There are so many around, would you say i will be safe with an utility one or what will you suggest. If you can give me one in the TSX i would prefer it. Thanks

Q: What is your recommendation for the best ETF that represents the Canadian stock market?

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: The performance of ZLB has strongly outperformed VCN over the short and long term. ZLB will likely survive a recession better then holding VCN. If I own both, should i just sell VCN and own ZLB but would their be a case to own VCN instead? thanks

Q: Good Day 5i Team,

I have 1500. to put into Vanguard and have allocated as follows:
30% into VCN
40% into VUS
25% into VI
5% into VEE
I am a recent retiree and have a 5-10 year horizon for this amount.
What do you think of the breakdown and the percentages, or do you have a better recommendation?

Thank you so much,
John

Q: Currently hold VCN, but thinking about switching to ZCN. My question is how can ZCN have such a larger yield than VCN (roughly 2.90% to 2.60%)? Any concerns with this switch?

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: You suggested the above ETF's for my daughter . She is moving to the USA so could you please suggest the closest equivalents if she is based in the US or would the 4 ETF's mentioned still be appropriate ? Thanks again.

Q: What's your opinion on this allocation: 40%HSX, 35% VCN.TO and 25% VRE.TO for a medium risk TFSA portfolio?

Q: i have about $500,000 to invest for 10 or more years. i don't need income from it. in order to keep it simple and be able to easily rebalance every six months or so, i am considering investing in only 3 etfs, as suggested by the canadian portfolio manager.
1. do you see any problems with this strategy? (i already have another portfolio in individual stocks.)
2.would ZAG be preferable to the suggested ZDB?
3. would ZLB be preferable to the suggested VCN?

thanks in advance. take whatever number of points necessary.

Q: This is a follow up question to your answer to John. When I look at the VCN prospectus as (of Oct. 31st) it seems to follow the benchmark pretty much exactly rather than make the adjustments as per your reply there. Am I missing something? Thanks

Q: Hi 5i,

Most of the etfs that I have looked at for the Canadian market are 60-65% in financials and resources which I think is a very large weighting. I understand that the Canadian market is tilted towards these sectors but is there any etf that is more diverse and balanced?

Alternately, is there an etf which would resemble your balanced portfolio (wishful thinking?). I am looking at moving all my stocks to etfs as I don't have the time to manage them.

If there are no etfs that match the above, maybe you could suggest a mix of etfs for different sectors and weighting? Looking for growth, no need for any yield.

Thanks as always. Please deduct as many credits as you see fit.

Q: Not sure if zlb should still be in my porfolio, since its underperforming. Would i be better off to just put the money in vanguard canadian index vcn if i have a longer term view of the market 20 years out.

Q: For someone in their early twenties and has 30K in a TFSA, what would be an appropriate amount of stocks to hold, and what would be some of your top suggestions?

Thanks

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: I have a 5 year old grandson and want to start a long term investment fund. Would an ETF be the best way to go, and if so, could you recommend a few. Thanks. All the best in the New Year. Thanks for all your help over the years.