Investment Q&A

Q: I am looking at investing 2023 contributions (2 x $6500) in stocks and/or ETFs. Please provide 5 stocks and 5 ETFs for long term hold. Rank the stocks and ETFs and comment on why they are being recommended,

Current stock holdings include: BYND, BAM, BN, REGN, TSLA

Current ETFs: QQQ, VGRO, ZEM, SKYY, IHI, XIT and SPY

Thank you

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

Q: Hi,

Now, I realize this is not your area of tinkering and please, if you feel its an area you are not comfortable with, say so.

In the many podcasts and financial shows that I follow and listen to a growing number of 'experts' ae waxing eloquent on how they expect the markets ex NA, whether they be EM or Europe will outperform over the next year +

Can you tell me

1)Do you agree with this, why yes or no?

2)If one has no direct international exposure should one , in your opinion own something to give then that exposure. and

3)Finally if you do agree what options would you reccomend investors consider.

Thanks in advance.



Sheldon

Q: Hi.

Im looking for an ETF". developed Europe " on the US side similar to the VE (can)I looked at those but both have Asia included

VEA or Vxus


thanks a lot

Margit

Q: I bought EWG and VGK in tax-deferred accounts for diversification. Both are currency-unhedged. There has been significant uncertainty in the businesses held in these ETFs and both are down significantly. I had decided to ride things out and did not sell these and other such ETFs (the usual loss-aversion ).

Most of us have become increasingly concerned about Europe area companies (humanitarian crises, ongoing war, energy costs). Is one better to sell now, take the loss and come back later? OR do you think these ETFs have dropped so much now that there is a better than even chance of recovery in their price?

Q: Thinking about VGK for Europe exposure (buying over the next couple of months). What is your opinion of this ETF? Do you feel there are better ETFs for this type of exposure?

thanks,

Paul

Q: Hi Peter,

Over the next five to ten years, what is your expectation from a risk-return prospective for the following asset classes? Please provide your ranking with a brief explanation for your rationale.

Annualized returns for the past ten years are noted below as per BlackRock:

U.S. equities – 13%
Canadian equities – 8%
Infrastructure – 7.3%
Japan equities – 6.6%
REITs – 6.1%
European equities – 5.3%
China equities – 4.9%
High yield bonds – 3.4%
Emerging Market equities – 3.3%


Thanks George

Q: Greetings,

With the Euro/ USD hitting parity are there any stocks or ETF's that directly reflect the weakness in Euro's and allow us to invest in Europe at what is hopefully a discount?

We own ZWE and VGK - Do they reflect the weakness and could we buy more?

Many thanks

Q: What is the best European stock index and best/lowest cost ETF for that index? I think larger caps may be better for stability, like the TSX60. I have no investments outside of North America. Would it be better to buy a more Global index ETF, that is ex-North America vs just Europe?
Thanks!!
Grant

Q: Sorry VDY is wrong index. FTSE dividend was the index I was asking about.

Q: Please rate these Europe ETF's in order of your best choices. VGK; ZEQ; XEH; XEU; VE.

Q: My sister just pulled out of Questrade's Robo account to a self-directed account. She planned to buy basic 4 index ETFs in order to keep things simple (XIC for Canadian (30%), XUU for US (35%), VIU for Europe (20%), and VEE for emerging markets (15%)).

However, when the funds appeared, we found two thirds of it was in CAD and one third in USD. It seems inefficient to convert it back to CAD and buy those funds. So we're thinking of buying the US equivalent ETFs for XUU and perhaps VIU and VEE.

Can you give us the US equivalents of these funds. If you have any advice on our strategy here or the funds I've mention (eg. whether iShares or Vanguard is preferable in these areas) feel free to add your wisdom which I so much value as a member.

Q: While checking VGK as an addition to Europe ETFs , I stumbled into FDD " First Trust Stoxx European Select Dividend Index Fund". FDD is not in your data base; I found it on Schwab’s stock research pages. (Incidentally you suggested VE to another member for the Europe region, but I don’t see VE listed anywhere, and I don’t think you would have meant VEA).

FDD sounds like a good ETF for the Euro region. I am biased in favor of ETFs that hold less than a hundred businesses. Is my bias unwise? I would appreciate your opinion on FDD. Between VGK and FDD which one (IF EITHER) would you buy please? If you have another Europe-region ETF that you think might be better, kindly advise. Thank you.

Q: May I please have the names of 3 or 4 recommended non-North American, non-European ETFs and one European ETF?
With appreciation,
Ed

Q: Hi!

I've heard a lot of people suggest that Europe's various stock markets are better value than the U.S. market, but that Europe hasn't implemented nearly enough stimilus to help drive growth the way the U.S. has. Do you think Europe is attractively valued and if so would this be a good time to start building a position in an ETF with a European focus? Can you suggest a couple of potential ETFs for exposure to Western Europe?

Thank you!
Jason

Q: Best ETF for each please: China, Russia, India, South America, Europe
Growth preferred for all except Europe looking for income.
Thanks

Q: Would this portfolio held in RRIF have withholding tax on dividends. Does this look like a good portfolio?

Q: Do you have one ETF or mutual fund pick for international coverage? If you were trying for international (non US and CDN) including Emerging, what would you do please? More than one is fine, but minimal please.

Q: May I please have your opinion of FDD - First Trust Dow Jones Stoxx European Select Dividend Index Fund for European Exposure. Thanks in advance.

Q: I am wondering if any of the following do not hold all their international stocks directly (ie if they are an ETF of ETFs). I am pretty sure that XEF, IEFA, and IEMG do own all stocks directly, and I think VEE does not, but please correct me if I am wrong. I cannot seem to find information about the rest.

IEMG XEF VEE XEC IEFA VGK SPDW VWO

Thanks again,

Fed