John Hood
Vangrd European E.T.F.
VGK-N
PAST TOP PICK
Jun 24, 2015
(A Top Pick July 18/14. Down 1.69%.) Sold his holdings at around $54-$55. Had been paying almost a 4% dividend, but his concern was Putin going into the Ukraine and also about the euro.
How to invest in Europe? Thinks Europe is growing, coming out of the recession they were in. Euro is down because of the Greek situation, and if US interest rates go up it will weaken the euro, which will help the Europeon exporters. Suggests investing in an index like Vanguard.
(A Top Pick July 18/14. Down 2.81%.) Sold this last November, because it is not hedged. A really good ETF, well diversified, low cost and it paid a really good dividend of about 4%. His concern was the euro, so he got out. Also, the performance was a little bit lacklustre.
FEZ-N vs. VGK-N.Europe is cheap, in relative value terms, but he thinks there is another leg down so is not putting new money into Europe right now. He is defensive over all. He likes the ZEW-T because of hedging and covered call.
This holds the largest cap companies in Europe. It is developed countries. There is no Greece. A huge ETF, something like $24 billion. Extremely cheap. If you want to play Europe, it’s a great way to go.
He likes Europe, but not in love with it, and is doing this for diversification purposes. Doesn’t see anything horrific in Europe, but it is always a basket case, but not the way it was 2 or 3 years ago. He is in this one tentatively.
(Past Top Pick Oct. 10, 2017, Down 7%)What was I thinking? He's been in and out of this a few times. Europe is such a morass with all kinds of trouble. This ETF itself is fine, but Europe is a mess.
(A Top Pick Jan 19/18, Down 14%) He exited sometime in the summer. Something always happens in Europe. Too many problems. In EM at least there is growth there. He got burned every time he got there.
Well diversified, low cost ETF. However, every time he's bought it, something happens and he sells it. He's not in Europe right now because of all it's problems.
(A Top Pick July 18/14. Down 1.69%.) Sold his holdings at around $54-$55. Had been paying almost a 4% dividend, but his concern was Putin going into the Ukraine and also about the euro.