Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

What US ETF's do you think would be a good way to play the US market for the next 2-3 years. I really for longer than that but I think there's going to be a lot volatility in the next couple years. I'm underrepresented in cyclicals, consumer discretionary, banks, energy and big Pharma, but not technology. I own QQQ.

Q: Greetings 5i

I continue to focus in on dividend producers that offer security as I enter retirement. At the present time in my TFSA I already have a 20% weighting in VBAL and 5% in XRE. I have another 5% to allocate which will be coming from my sale of BAD as I slowly transition to more security. Which do you suggest as the best alternative? Any other suggestions?

I know VBAL and XRE are very different in context and dividend payout so I need your insight. What I do know is that I’m having a great long ride with Shopify. For that I’m happy not to receive a dividend. Thanks 5i!

Peter

Q: Is the only difference between VGG (Cdn) and VIG (US) the currency denomination and fees? Is VGH the same as VGG, but VGH is hedged to the Canadian dollar?

VGG has higher fees than VIG, so I would assume that over several years, its returns would be less than VIG. However, I have looked on a number of sites and VGG seems to have higher returns. For example, over the last 5 years, VGG has had an annual return of 13.58% and VIG of 11.63%. What is causing this apparent difference in performance?

VGH has 9.11% 5-year performance. The lower performance I assume is due to it being hedged to the Canadian dollar. Can you please confirm my assumption is correct.

Thank you very much for all of your excellent advice.

Q: I've held this ETF for 2-1/2 years, its up about 40%. I purchased it initially as a US dollar holding not subject to US estate tax exposure. With Trump doubling the estate value amount before those taxes kick in, for now, thats no longer a concern. For future buys, is there a better US dollar ETF you'd recommend - lower MER and/or better growth, safety?

Q: What do you think of this etf. Would you recommend another for US dividend growth? Thank you. Bill

Q: I'm looking for recommendations on how best to invest USD 175k sitting in cash since last week. Though tempted by the US buying opportunities, I've been avoiding buying US shares directly due the hassles and costs of US tax exposure. I've only bought 50 shares of ZSP.U so far. Is this a good place to invest more? Can you recommend other good investment vehicles for a non-registered portfolio that will capture US growth/income without currency exchange or US tax?

Q: How are management expenses calculated when the holding(s) of an ETF include one of more other ETFs? For example the single holding in VGH is VIG. Does the MER for VGH include the MER for VIG?

Q: Hello, I've just opened an RESP for my son and it has $2500 in it and should see $2500 added to it each year plus the gov't portion. Looking at a time frame of about 18-20 years, can you recommend an initial approach? Would a couple ETF's be best for now? or is it better to work toward the income model portfolio? or a few good dividend paying equities for the long term? Thank you.

Q: I'm looking for dividend growth ETFs for diversification (e.g. VGG, VGH) .. can you suggest how to do that but without having companies like MONSANTO, MACDONALDS, PEPSI AND COKE in the mix? thanks

Q: i have done well on TDB972 fund is there any similar ETF?.

Q: I have no US exposure and am thinking of buying VGG or VGH to eventually switch into TFSA Jan 2017. I don't understand the difference between hedged and unhedged in these circumstances. Can you give me some advice? Thanks.

Q: What do you think about replacing a combination of VGH and ZQQ with a single holding in ZUQ--you gotta love the sound of "high quality". thanks Gary

Q: I am currently moving some of my portfolio from stocks to ETF's. I want only a plain vanilla flavoured portfolio. I have been going through your questions and answers regarding ETF's, and given the diversity of situations and dates, I am getting a little confused. i wonder if you could suggest the best for broad canada, broad U.S., and international?
thanks