Pass on this ETF: iShares MSCI Canada ETF

Article Excerpt

One of the key attractions of exchange-traded funds is the lower fees compared to mutual funds. In addition, as more competitors entered the market, fees on many ETFs continue to drop. One of the older U.S.-based funds with a large asset base and higher fees is the iSHARES MSCI CANADA ETF $35.03 (New York symbol EWC). This fund started in 1996 and invests in larger Canadian companies. It has an asset base of $3.5 billion U.S. and a high MER of 0.50%. The units yield 2.2%. Another similar fund with a large asset base is the iSHARES S&P/TSX 60 ETF $31.20 (Toronto symbol XIU). This ETF started up in 1990. It tracks the S&P/TSX 60 Index and has assets of $10.9 billion under management. Top holdings (which are very similar to the top stocks in the iShares MSCI Canada ETF) are Royal Bank, TD Bank, Enbridge Inc., CP Rail, CN Rail, Canadian Natural, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Shopify, Brookfield Corp., and Suncor Energy. The…