BUY

A non-covered call alternative to ZWT. Over the long term, outperforms the covered call on a total return basis. The better growth alternative.

For covered call strategies, always consider the yield and the source of that yield. With ZWT, you'll forego some upside if utilities markets are strong, but you get more yield on an ongoing basis. Best for ongoing yield to pay your bills.

Given the kind of market we're heading into, some strategists feel pretty good about utilities. Utilities are considered defensive, as people need to pay them whether the economy is good or bad; tend to have stable dividends.

DON'T BUY

Despite being better diversified, US banking space can be more volatile than Canada's. Because of covered calls, won't achieve as much capital growth as from ZBK or ZUB. As well, consider some of the active options as offered, for example, from Hamilton.

WEAK BUY

Despite being better diversified, US banking space can be more volatile than Canada's. Achieves more capital growth then an ETF with a covered call strategy. As well, consider some of the active options as offered, for example, from Hamilton.

WEAK BUY

Despite being better diversified, US banking space can be more volatile than Canada's. Achieves more capital growth then an ETF with a covered call strategy. As well, consider some of the active options as offered, for example, from Hamilton.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 19/23, Up 6%)

Now paying 15-20 bps higher than a plain-vanilla high-interest savings ETF. Good if you need access to cash, never drops below where you bought it if you buy on the ex-dividend date. A cash-like position in your portfolio. Pays interest. 

The sawtooth graph is explained as money accumulating on short-term paper holdings, and then paid out all at once every month. You can, of course, automatically reinvest the proceeds.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 19/23, Up 18%)

A core position in his model portfolios for Canadian equities. Fee is 5-6 bps, almost impossible to get a more efficient exposure. Has done well on recent strength of real estate and materials. Good anchor point if you're starting your portfolio from scratch. Not needed if you already have a home bias on Canadian exposure.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 19/23, Up 14%)

Very low fees of 19-20 bps. Holds other Vanguard ETFs. During significant drawdowns between mid-July to August 1, this ETF was down less than 3%. A way for a conservative investor to set it and forget it.

DON'T BUY

For high-net-worth investors especially, consider getting a Canadian-domiciled ETF. Yes, US listings are very liquid and some are cheaper, but you might be exposing yourself to US estate taxes. He's not a tax expert. 

Legacy pricing and history. Franklin Templeton disrupted the single-country category by tracking the FTSE indices, which are actually more diversified because they hold mid- and small-caps. Its Japan offering, LJA, is significantly cheaper at just 10 bps.

BUY

For high-net-worth investors especially, consider getting a Canadian-domiciled ETF. Yes, US listings are very liquid and some are cheaper, but you might be exposing yourself to US estate taxes. He's not a tax expert. 

Franklin Templeton disrupted the single-country category by tracking the FTSE indices, which are actually more diversified because they hold mid- and small-caps. Its Japan offering, LJA, is super-cheap at just 10 bps. Not currency hedged, a good thing.

COMMENT
Currency hedging.

Surprise rate hike in Japan recently caused a downturn in its equity market, but a big jump in its currency. Jump in currency buffered equity decline a bit. If you were in an unhedged product, you wouldn't have felt it as badly; in a hedged product, you would. Japan continues to experiment with with rate hikes, so you don't want to be currency hedged.

BUY

Good to pair with a large-cap ETF. If you already use a total stock market index, already about 30% is made up of thousands of small- and mid-cap companies.

BUY

Good to pair with a large-cap ETF. If you already use a total stock market index, already about 30% is made up of thousands of small- and mid-cap companies.

BUY

Good to pair with a large-cap ETF. If you already use a total stock market index, already about 30% is made up of thousands of small- and mid-cap companies.

BUY

Total stock market index. 70% made up of large caps, remaining 30% made up of 1000's of mid- to small-caps. The whole package. iShares has some offerings as well. Many ways to play.

BUY

Total stock market index. 70% made up of large caps, remaining 30% made up of 1000's of mid- to small-caps. The whole package. iShares has some offerings as well. Many ways to play.