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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: For taxable accounts, a US-listed international ETF (or Cdn-listed ETF, with an underlying US listed ETF) is tax inefficient because the international withholding tax is not recoverable. Purchasing a similar Cdn-listed ETF which holds the international stocks directly (i.e. not a US-listed ETF) is more tax efficient as the international withholding tax is recoverable.

However, there are often advantages to buying the US-listed ETFs as they typically have much larger AUMs, and much lower MERs than their Canadian listed counterparts (which have underlying international-listed stocks). For example, the MER for VEA (US listed) is 0.05% and for VDU (Canadian listed) is 0.22%. The MER "spread" varies considerably between ETFs, and can sometimes be quite significant.

Are you aware of any formula to help an investor determine when it is best to buy the lower-MER US ETF (and pay the higher tax) and when it is best to buy the higher-MER, lower tax, Canadian ETF? Is there any rule of thumb for an investor to use, to decide that once the MER-spread exceeds a certain amount, then an investor should buy the US ETF (as the additional MER costs in buying the Canadian ETF exceed the tax advantages)?

I realize that the result can vary depending on the percentage of non-recoverable international withholding tax, the investors' tax rate, etc. However, any guidance you can provide would be most appreciated. If you are aware of a "formula" to make this assessment, that would be ideal.

If there is no formula, please assume the investor is in a 50% tax bracket, is a long-term investor, the account is taxable, and there are no currency (hedging or exchange fee) concerns.

Thank you again for this excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on September 23, 2020
Q: "Hello 5i team,

As we approach election season and Q4, the markets look to be taking a bit of a downturn that is reminiscent of earlier this year in Feb/Mar.

What are your thoughts on what's ahead for Q4 in terms of buying? Are there any industries and/or names that you would suggest to focus on?

Specifically, I am considering AAPL, MA, SHOP, SQ and AMZN on the current correction, given the upcoming holiday and gift buying season is likely to have a lot of ecommerce action and new apple toys, with payment processing being a natural fit.

If you could suggest your views on which industries and names have typical strength Q4 that would be appreciated.

Thanks very much! "
Read Answer Asked by TRINA on September 23, 2020
Q: I finally got around to using Portfolio Analytics on myself. Biggest perk was the totalling of my expected yearly dividends. Mystery solved!
Unsurprising was the overweight tech at 45%.
When one looks at the difference between REAL and SYZ (as examples of software tech) I have to wonder just how useful that advisement is as a total? It seems in software you could have proxies (almost) for the entire market!

Read Answer Asked by Gerald on September 23, 2020
Q: Hi team,
What is behind E's latest large spike in volume and price appreciation over the last four days?Have not seen any announcements other than continuing their normal course purchase!
Thanks,
Jean
Read Answer Asked by Jean on September 23, 2020
Q: Hello again please your thoughts on ADRNY
Read Answer Asked by George on September 23, 2020
Q: Hi Folks,
My question is about the concept of a 5 year "stepper" product described by one leading financial institution as having a one-year term and automatically renews for four successive one-year terms on the maturity/anniversary date. The annual interest rate automatically increases on each maturity/anniversary date. The investment may be cashed in full or in part on the maturity/anniversary date.
Rates are year 1 - 0.85%
Year 2 - 1.10%
Year 3 - 1.75%
Year 4 - 2.00%
Year 5 - 3.55%
Effective Annual Yield - 1.846%

For someone who has a portion of their portfolio in GICs, does this type of product make sense? What are the pros and cons please and thank you. Michal
Read Answer Asked by Michael on September 23, 2020
Q: Hi Folks,
Everyone is looking for returns, and income investors are searching for interest and yield. Forgive me if I missed a previous question asked and answered, but would it be possible to give a quick list of the type of fixed income products in the low risk category. For a very conservative portion of a portfolio, with a five year hold, which product(s) do you suggest offer the best risk/return trade off given the current rate situation in the market today? How far on the risk spectrum does an investor need to go to achieve a reliable 2-3% return?
Thank you, Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on September 23, 2020
Q: To add to Donald's question:

i have a position in NFI (now about 2,5 %). Considering that:
-its a long term hold (5 years +, no need for dividend money while waiting)
-that it is hold in a registered account ,so no taxes loss or gain
-that trading fees are not significant

would you keep the current NFI position or switch it to MG ?
Read Answer Asked by Olivier on September 23, 2020
Q: Can you update your comments on Eastmain and the upcoming buy-out? I am a LT SH and have not done well though it appears to have a good location and gneral potential. I am looking at cashing out and rolling in to other opportunities in mining that are actually producing but have not run up with the bullion prices. It seems to me that First Majestic is well positioned to benefit from the recent silver pricing change. Any thoughts to share on that or other companies with share prices that have not risen with the rise in bullion prices, yet?
Thanks, Calvin
Read Answer Asked by Calvin on September 22, 2020
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