Investment Q&A

Q: Hi! Doing some cleaning up and wondering if these are buy, sell, or hold. In reference to Shane's comments I also agree that it wasn't too long ago that so many advisors were recommending growth stocks at lofty prices. Having always been a more of a value investor I dipped my toes, but am feeling like I'd be too scared to ever enter any kind of a growth stock again. I know if interest rates peak you feel these can do well again but only time will tell and many investors have lost lots of money on the high growth names like in Cathy Wood's funds. Happy to hold any of these names if there could ever be a turn around. Thank you!

Q: I am currently in a loss position with ZEM. Would Revenue Canada allow me to claim a capital loss if I sold ZEM and immediately bought VEE?

What are the rules as to how Revenue Canada determines whether a new investment is sufficiently different to allow a capital loss?

Thank you for this wonderful service and the excellent advice.

Q: I have noticed that VEE outperforms ZEM both ytd and over 5 years. Do you anticipate that VEE will continue to outperform going forward? For a taxable account, which of these two ETFs do you recommend for a long term investment?

Thank you for all of your excellent advice.

Q: Hello 5i,

With the rise in the USD and decline in Asian and European stocks and ETF's, is this a good time to purchase ETF's for those zones with the anticipation that the ETF's will increase if the usd declines in value in the next 2-3 years?

If so, can you recommend one ETF for each zone for the cdn and us exchanges?

Thank you.
Debbie and Jerry

Q: What specific ETFs suggestions would make a diversified portfolio

Q: Now past 30 day tax loss period on the above securities previously sold. Was going to buy back to original weights.
1. buy back now
2. average in over next few months with some of these
3. replace some of these with other securities you might like better

Q: Good afternoon 5i,

TD has the dividend payments of VIU and VEE respectively at $0.80 and $0.86. Is there a withholding on these amounts since they're foreign or is that automatically built in to the price for share. I'm simply trying to estimate my dividend payment from both.

Why do their payments vary quarter to quarter when other ETF's (e.g. ZSP) keep the same payment rate per quarter?

Thanks in advance. - Jeff

Q: If you had to pick 4 ETF's as a core of a portfolio. What would they be? US listed ETF's are ok.

1- Can Equity
2 - US Equity
3 - International Equity
4 - Bond

Q: My wife and I treat our individual accounts as a single portfolio. Based on the Portfolio Analytics we are significantly underweight on the US and rest of the world. We have on RRSP representing 12% of the portfolio that will be converted to a RRIF next year that we would like to simplify. We will maintain 40% - 50% in fixed income, but would like to invest the rest in equity ETFs with holdings outside of Canada. Could you please suggest one or two ETF for exposure to each of the US and the rest of the world. Thank you.

Q: Peter,

I look at the S & P 500 index as the gold standard for performance measurement. It has been my theory that any portfolio performance should be compared to this index first. Do you agree?

For diversification purposes please list your top 5 indexes & associated ETF codes that you feel would be relevant whenever looking at an equity portfolio. This can be anywhere in the world. { Fixed Income I strictly take a ladder approach.} I would be interested in ones with a lower correlation , if that is realistic. It may not be.

Thank you

Paul

Q: I have a small position in each of the above listed ETFs. I believe one must be invested in more than just North America but, I am concerned with the Geopolitical situation in Russia (re Ukraine) and China (re Taiwan). Additionally, these ETFs have been down lately and I'm thinking of selling them. What percentage of each ETF is invested in Russia/China? What would you recommend to replace these ETFs in order to exclude or have minimal exposure to Russia/China?

Thanks!

Q: Are you aware if there are mounting pressures on ETF providers (Vanguard, Black Rock, etc...) to exit the Russian equity markets? I own VEE, VXC and VEQT for my international exposure, and realized I own about 1500$ worth of Russian stocks. I am not morally confortable anymore with that exposure even though it's a very small weighting. I would gladly write it off of my portfolio... I know this is personal to every investor and that's OK, but some principles come before returns for me...
If it's unlikely Vanguard would make any move towards ETF ex-Russia, I am seriously thinking of selling all (fortunately my exposure is mostly in registered accounts) and buying international alternatives.

What ETFs would you then suggest to get similar international exposure ex-Russia?

Thank you

Q: For these ETFs, in the 'Regions - Country Breakdown' they both have 'Asian Developed'. What countries does this include?

Q: I have enough exposure to the Canadian market but I need additional global equity exposure for the next 10 years.

Would you please recommend an ETF for each of the following categories:
US
International
Emerging markets

Thanks

Q: Hello. I have ~$50K cash to deploy for investing. Given current volatile market, I am thinking of investing all in ETF (which might be safer), unless you feel strongly about some undervalued stocks. I'd like expose to world economy including the US, Canada and perhaps others. The investment can be long term as I don't need these money right away. But in case of decent gain in a short term, I probably would take money out for real estate purchase. Can you please recommend 3-5 ETF? I understand you don't timing the market. But given the outlook for rising interest rate, would it be better just hold them as cash for now?

Thank you.

Q: Can you say which of VEE and XSEM you prefer and why? I recognize one is ESG and the other not, but I'm mostly interested in financial considerations for this question.

Q: I am extremely low in International and US stocks, I would like to have an ETF for each that I can put in either my RRSP or TFSA. I know you have mentioned in the past that you like IWO for small caps, is that still the case or is there a better choice.
Thanks for all the excellent help

Q: In what way is it advantageous to buy VEE vs. the underlying VWO? VEE indicated yield is 2.16%, VWO is 2.62%.
I realize one is Canadian listed, the other American, and it may depend on the holding account. Please explain the mechanics.
Thanks, love your service.
Len

Q: Hi, Happy new year!!

When looking at the long term rates of return of Emerging markets, developed INTL markets, Canadian and US stocks, the US has outperformed by a mile. I hold mostly stocks that are Cdn and US and I have global international and developed exposure through the mentioned ETF's, which only account for around 6% of my total portfolio. My questions are:

1. What is the simplest way to break down portfolio exposure without getting too overly complicated and detailed? Currently I break it down by where they trade. But for example, I hold stocks such as BAM, SLF, GOOG, JPM, V which are more global. How would I go about classifying some of these stocks? Would I allocate some % of these towards international exposure based on the company revenue breakdown, etc? any other metrics? Any good sites that easily summarize this info. or do I need to go looking through the companies financial statements?

2. Is there any mean reversion long term between CDN, US, INTL, and EE markets? So since INTL and EE has underperformed so much lately, is it time to rebalance equities from US to CDN/INTL/EE? Or for a long term growth investor, is the US still the best place to invest for growth whereas INTL/EE look cheap and have better value, although slower growth? Thoughts?

Q: Hi, currently holding these Cad ETFs in RSP. What would be the best equivalent ETF's to buy in the US if I were to convert my holdings to USD and buy the US ETF. Looking for equivalent exposure with lower MER, better tax efficiency, etc... I've included some of my choices, would these be the best ones to switch to? Other ETFs are welcome if I haven't listed them below. Thanks and Happy holidays, looking forward to a great 2022!

VGG to VIG
XEF to either VXUS/VEA/IEFA
VEE to VWO
ZUH to either XHC/VHT/XLV
VUN/VUS TO VOO