Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM)

CHQQ vs. XEC for EM exposure in a TFSA?

FRDM is the one he likes for emerging markets. A way to get exposure to EM countries where they overweight personal and economic freedoms. So it tends to have a lot less (almost no) exposure to, for example, China, and to places where child labour laws aren't very good.

This ETF, broadly speaking, has outperformed emerging markets; he'd expect that to continue.

ETF for emerging markets?

Lots of choices -- Vanguard, BMO, iShares, etc. Most of the ones in Canada are index-linked to the MSCI emerging market index. 

He recommended this one a few years ago. Don't worry too much about the foreign exchange exposure. Weighted to better governance, child labour laws, more "freedoms". So it favours India over China, for example. Stalwart outperformer, and expects that for the next decade. Really likes it.

Educational segment: China's stimulus plan announced last week

China is indeed investible, but not for the long term, but "rent" it short term. Why not long term? Because of their declining birth rate and falling population projections to fall by half by 2100. Factors: the one-child policy and the imbalance between genders. The population will shrink and it can't be entirely fixed by immigration.  Data shows him that China was outperforming the U.S. pre-Covid. But China's post-Covid response was terrible, so their market suffered a massive correction. But stimulus has lifted China's markets in recent weeks. How to play emerging markets? Buy an ETF ex-China, FRDM.

ESG is growing enormously. FRDM tracks the Freedom Index, which looks at countries for freedom of the press, elections, democratic governments. Totally excludes China and Russia. India and Turkey find themselves sometimes included, sometimes not.