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For the past decade or so, the European economy has lagged behind the faster-growing economies of the U.S. and China. The departure of the U.K. from the European Union also raised key questions about its overall stability.


However, the massive monetary and fiscal stimulus provided by member states, and the European Central Bank, during the pandemic bodes well for a longer term recovery....

Most precious-metal stocks dropped, along with stock markets, in March 2020. They then quickly reversed that trend to soar for investors. In fact, gold recently jumped to over $2,000 U.S. an ounce for the first time ever. Gold stocks also jumped.


The extra burst reflects investor fears about many things, including stock market volatility because of COVID-19 and the length and depth of the resulting economic slowdown.


For many investors, gold and silver represents a “safe harbour” in turbulent times....

A: The iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF, $20.19, symbol XDG on Toronto (Units outstanding: 7.1 million; Market cap: $143.3 million; www.blackrock.com/ca) aims to track the MSCI World High Dividend Yield Index.

The focus of the iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF is on large-capitalization, well-established stocks from the U.S....

The Chinese economy was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are early signs of a recovery. While its economic growth is forecast to drop to 1.2% for 2020, its management of outbreaks positions it to bounce back in 2021. That also bodes well for investors’ long-term growth.


Here is one ETF that provides exposure to the top Chinese publicly listed companies.


ISHARES MSCI CHINA ETF $72.86 (Nasdaq symbol MCHI; TSI Network ETF Rating: Aggressive; Market cap: $5.8 billion) tracks the performance of the largest publicly listed Chinese companies that are available to international investors.


Consumer Cyclical stocks account for 31% of its assets, while Communication Services (22%), Financial Services (15%), Consumer Defensives (5.9%), Technology (5.5%), and Healthcare (5.3%) are other key segments.


The ETF holds a large portfolio of 609 stocks, although the top 10 make up 50% of its assets....

China, India and Asia’s other emerging markets have seen strong growth for several decades. Recently, though, their economies have been knocked back by stringent measures to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are solid signs of recovery. That bodes well over the next few years for investors in emerging Asian ETFs....

All of the major global stock markets are down in the wake of COVID-19’s spread. But we think the worst is over for many stocks, and one way to profit, while at the same time cutting your risk, is to invest in ETFs.


Here’s a look at four international funds that we believe are well-suited for your new buying....

New Zealand has a small population and ranks outside of the world’s top 50 economies.






Still, this leading democracy and developed nation is ranked among the world’s top 20 most-competitive economies. Meanwhile, its stock market has also performed well over the past decade....

The major Canadian and U.S. stock markets have moved back up since their initial COVID-19 drop. Still, they have yet to regain their 2020 highs. Nonetheless, we think the worst is over for many stocks. We see ETFs as one way for you to profit from that recovery, while cutting your risk.


The best of these funds offer a diversifed group of stocks while charging you low management fees....

ISHARES S&P/TSX REIT INDEX ETF, $14.93, is a hold. The ETF (Toronto symbol XRE; buy or sell through brokers; ca.ishares.com) lets you tap all 21 Canadian real estate investment trusts in the S&P/TSX REIT Index. Investors pay a MER of 0.61%, and the REIT fund gives you a high 6.3% yield.


The ETF’s...

The Bank of Canada cut its benchmark interest rate to 0.25% from 1.75% in March. The move was meant to spur the economy after COVID-19 hit. Whether the bank holds that rate steady, or cuts it even further, depends on the country’s economic growth and unemployment levels.


Meanwhile, even for our conservative investors, we caution against investing in bonds....