Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF. (VIU-T)

Combines Europe and Asia, without North America, in a cheap and cheerful ETF framework. In robust markets. Geographic diversification is finally working again, as S&P dominance is fading. Down only 1% YTD, compared to 12% in Canadian dollars for the S&P. A recession could be avoided and we get back to where we were, but this choice lets you be cautious.

VIU would be our best choice here. Low fees, unhedged, ex-North America and OK returns, considering international markets have lagged for a long time. 
Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

Are some choices, but VIU is the best fit.

And how to judge an ETF? He starts with the asset class. Large caps: 60% America and 10% emerging with 3-4% in Canada. Look at the sector and stock exposure of the ETF you're considering. Here, these are ex-North America, an area he is really fond of now, because he expects emphasis to shift outside America in 2021. There's much more emphasis on non-tech sector, which will benefit from the reopening and cyclical recovery. For ETFs, he looks less at PE ratios. He also looks at liquidity. He has a bias in favour of Blackrock, because it's the most liquid ETF provider. (He owns BMO, Vanguard and Horizon, too.) Look at MER. Key is what makes up an ETF.

(Past Top Pick, August 22, 2017, Up 9%) A good way to diversify outside Canada, and this ETF holds the biggest names. It's the only ETF he owns, and boasts a very low MER.

He has never picked an ETF before as a top pick. He wants to get some money out of North America. Europe, Japan and Korea are becoming more profitable. It saves him analyzing every country in the developed world. It is a diversification play that gets him away from the US$.