Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i team,
I currently have the above ETFs. I find that the dividend are a bit low (~2%). I was wondering if there are alternatives to the above in the 4-5% dividend range for income?

Andrew

Q: I currently have, in ETFs, 20% in U.S. (VTI) and 10% in international (5% in VEF and 5% in VEE). I'm thinking that long term my U.S. and Int'l should be equal weight as one never knows what countries will perform the best. What are your thoughts on this and recommendations? Thank you.

Q: Hi,

I'm currently only holding XEF(1.5%) and VEE(1%) for international and EM exposure. I'm looking to increase it a bit more maybe to 5%, as the rest of my portfolio is in US or CAD equities. I know you have talked about VXUS as a good international ETF to hold and the expense ratio of 0.11% is hard to beat. When I look at the regional allocation for VXUS, 19.3% is EM, so if we just hold that, would we even need to hold VEE? What do you think would be best to hold to have international and EM exposure? How about VI and VIU (exposure excl. North America)?

Was looking at one or two good quality ETF's to hold. Your thoughts on how they compare?

Thanks!

Q: Can you suggest an etf similar to XIN with lower fees that trades in Canadian dollars? The objective is to try and get some international exposure.

Thank you

Q: Hi All, I would like to invest in hedged or unhedged ETFs for India, South Africa and emerging markets. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike

Q: I think it's time that I put some money back into emerging markets. Currently my only holdings (other than ADR's held on International stocks thru New York) is my investment in ZDI. All in, these current investments represent less than 3.5% of my equity portfolio. So my two part question is as follows: 1) what rough percentage would you recommend for international holdings in total (tough question I know), and 2) please give me your opinion on the relative merits/demerits of VEE vs ZEM (on a line chart they track almost identically in terms of performance, so I'm wondering if there's something "under the hood" in either of them that might be important for my decision)? Many thanks.

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.

Q: I noticed that you had been recommending VEE for emerging market exposure, but recently have been recommending EEM. Could you comment upon the respective merits of these two funds.
Thank you.

Q: can you please recommend an etf or two for exposure to emerging markets
thank you

Q: It looks like Emerging markets have pulled themselves out from the doldrums. They have led global growth since January. In your view what is the best way to play this growth spurt in Emerging markets?

Q: Would like to add to my India position. Would you recommend my current position or suggest another INDIA ETF? Or perhaps broader based emerging market ETF. THANKS

Q: Acknowledge not your bailiwick, but appreciate any suggestions as to a good emerging markets etf. Thx

Q: My portfolio has enough USD & CAD stocks. What would the best ETF that is not USD or CAD be? ie VE or VEE?

Q: Is this a good ETF if I want something that is not USD or CAD?

Q: I'm looking to add a new emerging market EFT position to my TFSA for an over 10 year hold. Between XEC and VEE which one would be your preference and why?

Thanks in advance,
Greg.

Q: Can you recommend an ETF or specific stocks to get emerging market exposure. Looking for long term growth.

Q: It has been suggested to me that a high percentage of one's investments should be made outside Canada as this is what most pension funds do since Canada is such a small part of the world's capitalisation. Do you concur with this belief re investing? In Canada, in particular, and in the US, to a lesser degree, I have a wealth of information about specific companies. In the rest of the world it is difficult to obtain good information and to buy except through ADR's. Thus my best way to invest is through Mutual Funds or ETF's. It seems to me when I look into Global ETF's that none that I could find matched the long term performance of MAW150. Since I tend to hold an investment for a long period of time, short term fluctuations in value are of little concern. My biggest concerns are the MER of 1.74% per annum and the possibility that Mawer will not match future performance with past performance. Is there an ETF that has a good track record or a different Mutual with a low MER that matches or beats MAW150? If MAW150 is the best, then based on your response, I may purchase up to 25% of my assets in it. With this change in asset mix approximately 50% of investments will be outside of Canada. Thank you. I value your opinion very much.

Q: I have 21 holdings in my RRSP. All dividend payers and am interested in diversity,safety and income. I have 5% USA and 6% CDN bonds the balance are CDN equities. With the unclear future going forward what do you think my weightings should be for diversity and can you suggest some emerging market holdings.

Q: Good Day: I'm wondering if you have a recommendation in regard to an ETF for emerging markets that trades on the TSX? I have held ZEM in the past and have no particular concerns but as I now think about re-entering emerging markets it seems prudent to access your wisdom about possible alternatives that might be superior to the BMO product. Many thanks.

Q: Peter, my workplace DCPP holdings are already well-diversified but I have some accumulated cash to place. Our investment options are quite limited. As between three broad-based funds, a Canadian, a US and an International, which one would you be inclined to see the best return for - over, say, a 5 year period? Thanks for the great service!