Q: I have been considering the following ETF and would appreciate your take on it. The iShares 1-5 Yr Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF. Thank you.

A: The iShares 1-5 Yr Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF, $17.24, symbol CBO on Toronto (Units outstanding: 41.6 million; Market cap: $717.2 million; www.blackrock.com/ca), invests in a portfolio of short-term and medium-term corporate bonds. They’re drawn from the FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) 1-5 Year… Read More

Buy 4 of these 6 ETFs to tap global growth

Most top international markets have rebounded since their big drop at the start of the pandemic. Going forward, we think the outlook remains positive for quality stocks in those markets. One way to profit from their growth—while cutting your risk—is to invest in top ETFs.
Here’s… Read More

Buy Taiwan’s leaders

ISHARES MSCI TAIWAN INDEX FUND, $44.24, is a buy for aggressive investors. The ETF (New York symbol EWT; buy or sell through brokers) gives you direct exposure to some of the top public companies of this East Asian powerhouse economy.
The fund’s largest holding is Taiwan Semiconductor at 22.0%… Read More

Six Canadian and U.S. ETFs: 5 buys, 1 hold

The major Canadian and U.S. stock markets, while still subject to volatility, continue to offer attractive returns for investors—especially if you buy the top stocks. All in all, we think that if you can afford to stay in the market for several years or longer,… Read More

Q: Pat: I am looking for your advice on the iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF. Thanks.

A: The iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF, $24.44, symbol XEI on Toronto (Units outstanding: 58.7 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; www.blackrock.com/ca), aims to track the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index, which effectively holds the 75 highest-yielding Canadian stocks.

The index is market-capitalization weighted, with… Read More

The biotech industry is exciting but risky

Biotechnology is a science-driven industry that uses living organisms and molecular biology to produce healthcare-related products. Biotechnology is best known for its role in medicine and pharmaceuticals, but the science is also applied in other areas such as genomics, food production, and the production of… Read More

Use these to boost your biotech exposure

Biotechnology companies have been at the forefront of some of the most exciting developments in healthcare over the past two decades—and there are more developments in the pipeline. However, the high cost of product development, long lead times for product testing and regulatory approvals, and… Read More