iShares S&P 500 Index ETF (XSP.TO)

Good time to write options on this? There is nothing wrong with writing options on this particular ETF. Not a very liquid market for options on ETFs like this. Also, the hedge on the Cdn$ distorts the performance somewhat. Also, there are a couple of US ETFs that actually do buy writes on the S&P 500, Power Shares (PBP-N) and Power Shares PWV-N). He might be more inclined to do that.

(All 3 Top Picks are cheap, pure, tax effective and broadly diversified.) Tracks the S&P 500 and is now giving access to foreign stocks for the price of only 0.1%.

(Top Pick Feb 7/13, Up 26.50%) Continues to hold it.

(A Top Pick Feb 7/13. Up 20.54%.) Almost replicates the S&P 500, but you do have the added costs of the hedging they put on the currency. You are protected if the US$ happens to drop.

He sold this, which is hedged, and replaced it with Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV-T), which is unhedged.

This is the S&P 500 index and hedged back to the Cdn $. One of his Top Picks is on the S&P 500 with a Covered Right. He would prefer that because of where we are in the market right now. (See Top Picks.)

Likes this and has used it a fair bit in his practice. Any kind of a product that gives you broad diversification in the US market is something he is going to like. Good product.

(A Top Pick. (BNN shows July 3/12 but our records indicate Aug 3/12.) Up 21.17%.)

US S&P ETF for Long term hold. You need to think about where the Canadian dollar is go to go in the long term. He thinks a year out it will go down from 98 to 95. He prefers no hedged.

(Top Pick Mar 28/12, Up 15.44%)

(A Top Pick Feb 3/12. Up 14.12%.) This is a core holding for him.

This is Cdn$ hedged. Is now the time to go into a US non-hedged ETF? Really good question. Perhaps it is now time to go strictly to the US side. It is really, really difficult to forecast where currencies are going. If you like the S&P 500, as does he, perhaps you don’t want the currency to go against you.

(A Top Pick Dec 22/11. Up 16.06%.) This is a core holding for him and something he has always held.

(Top Pick Nov 4/11, Up 14.81%) He has always recommended it because he is bullish on the US since 2009. He would wait for a bit of a pullback here. Housing starts will affect everything. Energy self-sufficiency is not a dream. It is at least feasible.

(A Top Pick Sept 16/11. Up 21.23%.) Cdn $ hedged so that if the US$ weakens, you are fine. Well diversified as it has 500 different stocks in it.