COMMENT

For emerging markets, do you have to look country by country? When looking at EM, would buy as a block, not country by country. You want diversification. Too much concentrated risk. In developed markets, you can look at a country like Germany or Japan.

COMMENT

US real estate etf for income or Canadian one to avoid tax issues? Not a big fan of REITs because of creative accounting. Would rather have covered calls on a bank than a REIT. The Vanguard REIT is very well diversified. If he was going to buy anything, he’d buy that. Yes, there are tax issues.

COMMENT

Safe, long-term income? Some diversification, US and Canadian utilities. Good yield, but very interest sensitive, so beaten up a bit now. Be prepared for softening as rates go up.

COMMENT

Looking for monthly income ETF instead of a mutual fund. On the right track to get rid of high mutual fund fees. Look at XEI, good yield. ZDE is another dividend fund, with a few more banks. Down-market protection doesn’t exist in either funds or ETFs, but you are reducing risk as you reduce costs. Fund fees really impact your return over the years.

BUY

Has a whole bunch. Price moves very little. Has held it for years. Good place to park money. Dividend around 2.25%.

COMMENT

Role of ETFs in the next recession. Nonsense that next crash will be due to ETFs. ETFs are as liquid as the underlying securities. If your ETF is for left-handed, dyslexic, high-tech, you may have a problem with liquidity. But if you stick with small, mid-, and large-cap, you’ll be fine.

BUY

For an 18-year old in a TFSA? Absolutely, really likes it. About 70% equities, 30% fixed income. US/Canada, emerging/developed markets. Cheap, and automatically rebalances every 6 months. Mini-portfolio, good for small accounts. Replaces robo-advisers. Very well diversified.

BUY

About 60% equities, 40% fixed income. Good conservative growth portfolio.

COMMENT

Growth at a steady pace for next 1-2 years? Sees it for the US. Expects volatility with this pretty rambunctious president. Always bullish on the US. Hasn’t seen anything to change his mind. US has a pro-business government, cutting taxes, and energy self-sufficient.

TOP PICK

He’s looking for small caps, stuff he normally doesn’t have. Likes that it’s all caps. The US tax cuts will continue as long as Trump’s in office and will impact the small caps as well. Contains 18% FANGs, which he still likes.

TOP PICK

US 2-year treasuries. Dissatisfied with performance of bond ETFs. Wanted some US hedging, so bought this. Yield is 2.5%.

TOP PICK

Harvest’s version of VGRO, about 65% equities. Difference is it started trading yesterday. Likes the concept. Bit more expensive at 35 basis points, but doesn’t own actual securities, done through derivatives. So for some people, they don’t pay any income, it’s a total return.