Mike PhilbrickVanguard FTSE Developed ex-US ETFVDU.TOPAST TOP PICKFeb 26, 2026

Thought he'd give all the Canadians an "elbows up" moment to get not only US wine out of their diets, but also US stocks out of their portfolios ;)

MER is 22 bps. Broad exposure to the world, without the US. Very wide valuation differences compared to the US, especially in Europe and Japan. Potential weakening of the USD should also provide a boost on performance compared to the US. These ex-US companies are actually outperforming the US. Adds diversification too.

This is basically ex-Canada and the US. It’s Europe, Asia and the Far East and all developed markets. It is good from that standpoint. This is a good time to buy.

(A Top Pick Feb 25/14. Up 12.55%.) This has done fairly well. Double digit is a healthy return by any reasonable standard. Most of the gains here came in the last 2-3 months.

(A Top Pick Dec 31/13. Up 3.15%.) Most of this is Europe, which has had a difficult year. Most people have too much money in Canada. Going forward, he thinks Europe will do better than Canada, because of Canada’s large exposure to energy.

Developed market ETF. The variance year to year is all about the currency.

(A Top Pick Nov 4/13. Up 7.54%.) This deals with ex-North America, but in developed markets. This is the one that he is the least keen on. Canadians have too much money in Canada and are ridiculously overweight in home and country bias

(A Top Pick Sept 9/13. Up 17.41%.) Mostly Western Europe, but also has some Australian and Japan, etc.

Developed markets outside of North America. Some emerging markets as well as developed markets. The US market is not really global diversification.

X-North America. Europe mostly, but also Australia, Japan. Hundreds of names. Low cost. Hundreds of names.

Moving from MSCI to FTSE is not an issue for him. No matter which bench mark provider they use, it comes down to the cost of licensing it.

Europe and a little bit of Australia and Japan. Many hundreds of stocks. 28 basis points cost.

About half the world’s stock market capitalization in Canada and the US and the other half is the rest of the world, mostly Europe. Most people have too much money in Canada and if they have any diversification at all, it is in the US. New product and he doesn’t own any yet.