Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Everyone,

I am very interested in FINALLY purchasing an actively managed Global/International ETF or Mutual Fund. I have had zero such exposure in my portfolio for many years and am also currently sitting with USD in my accounts.
I have been following Mr. Hodson for many years and even though based on my personal metrics/age I still cannot contain my high risk individual stock picking tendencies.
My Investment Advisor has loaded up for decades on 'SGA Global Equity Growth Fund' and some Lazard Freres managed fund but I am not tempted to do so.

I would greatly appreciate some of your favourite recommendations in this space.

Thank you,

Dean

Q: I am helping my in-laws take ownership of their investments. Presently, they have the majority of their funds managed by banks/'financial advisors' in high fee mutual funds. What is your opinion of the following funds and can you offer equivalent low-cost ETF solutions? RBF209, RBF269, RBF272, Invesco Global Select Equity Series P

Q: Hi, I'm thinking of gradually reducing my individual stocks and moving into etfs for an all around set it and forget it roughly $3 million portfolio for someone retiring in the next few months. Can you give me your suggested etfs and percentages to hold to accomplish this balance? A chunk of these funds are not invested yet so I'd also like to know how you would suggest deploying these funds? Would you edge in gradually over a period of time or just get the money working? I'd really appreciate any advice you could give me in this format.
Thank you as always!

Q: Want to simplify my RIF investing as I am almost 80. Can you recommend several etfs that provide an easier and more comprehensive approach; I have a number of dividend holdings but I would like to broaden my exposure to international markets. Thank you.

Q: I have read the following from Morgan Stanley's CIO:
- S&P 500's forward price-to-earnings ratio is over 20.4, the equivalent for the MSCI ACWI ex U.S. is around 13.5.
- That discount of nearly 35%, a 20-year low, is a two-standard-deviation event.
- Dividend yields for non-US equities are running above 3% - more than double that of the U.S. benchmark.

Do you think there is an out-sized opportunity to invest outside the US, beyond one's normal global diversification strategy? If so, what sectors, stock and/or ETF's do you recommend? Thanks.

Q: My wife and I would like to convert our diversified portfolio of 20 active companies to a portfolio of ETFs. We are in our 70s and would like to simplify our portfolio.

We picture 5 to 10 ETFs.
One or two ETFs for all Canadian stocks, same for the USA and one or two for indexes outside North America.
As I say, we’re currently pretty well diversified and earning dividend income of around 5% and would like to continue around that level of yield and diversification.

What ETFs would you include? Is this a dream or can it really be done?
Many thanks for your research and opinion.
Frank

Q: I have held Mawer 102 for many years and would appreciate your thoughts on this fund and if you would suggest something International that may do better this the fund. Thank you as always. Barbara

Q: ETF questions
1. When we look at charts or reports about the performance of an ETF, does the return include dividends received and net of all fees? For example. The TSX composite had an annualized return of about 5% over the past 10 years but it also pays a dividend of approximately 3%. Is the annualized return a total of 5% (as dividends are included in this figure and are re-invested) or is it about 8%.
2. To minimize duplication, which ETF (orETFs) would you suggest for international exposure if an S&P ETF is already planned for (or does it suffice to have US and Canadian ETF exposure as they are quite broad and many US companies already have international exposure).
Thanks again.

Q: Looking to add a one-stop-shop etf to my TFSA for buy and hold long term growth to provide global equity exposure. Would HEQL be a good option? Would you recommend any others?

Q: I have some funds to invest in my unregistered account for a 5 year hold and am considering the above stocks and ETFs. Please comment on the projected growth of these stocks and ETFs and rank the stocks for future growth.

Q: I have held XEF and Vee for years and they never seem to do as well as North American market/companies.

According to portfolio analytics I need more exposure, but these seem to be drags on my portfolio more than anything. There a slight dividend, but there is overall loss on them.

Do you have any other recommendations to get world exposure but with some better growth?

Q: Hi Peter,
I Would like to expand my question posted earlier. Here is the original, and your reply:

Q: Hi Peter,
I am helping my kids who are in the mid-twenties to invest. The funds will be in RRSP & in TFSA for long term. Would you please recommend a list of ETFs and/or Stocks to invest in for growth. I would like to have the portfolio diversified globally and invested into various sectors.
Thank you,

Asked by Roger on November 08, 2023
5I RESEARCH ANSWER:
We can suggest: CSU, BN, WSP, TFII, ATD, SLF for a conservative mix of stocks from differing sectors. XIC could be a general Canadian ETF, and VFV a US market ETF. We prefer international exposure to be done through an ETF. VIU is an easy solution in our view (it is ex North America).

I have a tax efficiency question. If I am holding VIU in either RRSP or TFSA, would the dividends, even distributed through DRIPs, be subject to an international withholding tax of 15%? If that is the case, do you have another suggestion for investing in an international EFT where dividends are minimized, and the value of the EFT is in growth?

Do you have a suggestion for investing in the emerging market? Again, an EFT with the similar focus on tax efficiency.

Thank you again,

Q: I've got North America covered for my investments through stock purchases. How would you manage the rest or the world if one wanted diversification with a dividend bent. Would you purchase one ETV such as VEA or buy a few ETFs. Also what's a good starting point for a percentage of portfolio outside of North America.
Thanks

Q: According to portfolio tracking and analysis, I am short on basic materials, consumer cyclical, consumer defensive, health care and industrials. I’m also significantly short on international equities. With this in mind, can you provide your top 3 to 5 companies for each sector to increase my holdings in basic materials, consumer cyclical, consumer defensive, health care and industrials. To increase my exposure in international equities, I will be investing in ETFs. Please provide and rank the top 5 ETFs with international exposure. Thank you.

Q: I am looking to simplify the management of my RRSP and my wife’s RRSP by shifting from stocks to ETFs. I’m thinking that it would be easiest to manage if I have 1 ETF for Canadian Equities, 1 for US equities, 1 for International Equities and 1 for bonds/ fixed income.

We have a 10-15 year time horizon so ETFs with a growth orientation would be preferred.

Thanks
Greg



Canadian Equities
US Equities
international Equities
Bonds/ fixed income

Q: Hi Peter,
I am helping my kids who are in the mid-twenties to invest. The funds will be in RRSP & in TFSA for long term. Would you please recommend a list of ETFs and/or Stocks to invest in for growth. I would like to have the portfolio diversified globally and invested into various sectors.
Thank you,

Q: Hi Peter, thanks to you and your team for your great service. For a young person (or anyone for that matter), what are your thoughts on regular contributions to the S&P vs picking individual stocks ? It seems a simple but winning approach as it buys more of the good compalnies each 1/4 and kicks out the poor performers. It lacks energy etc but is this an issue ? Is there any data on how many mgrs or individuals actually beat the S&P. Are there equivilant and/or complimentary indexes you would pair with the S&P ? Looking to spend less time fussing over individual names. Thank you.

Q: In Portfolio Tracking and Analysis you suggest a portfolio allocation of 35% in international stocks.
I currently hold ZDI for 5% and need an additional 13% according to your recommendation.
At 18% (if I stick with ZDI) this seems like much for just one etf. Should I split between 2 or 3 etfs? Which ones do you recommend?
Please take credits as needed.
Thank you.

Q: I have no International exposure to date. Can you please suggest your top three International ETF's.

Q: Hi...I am trying to decide between a growth ex-North America International ETF and a growth Emerging Market ETF. Would have have 2-3 suggestions for each and why I would choose one over the other?