Stronger international trade ties are obviously good for the Canadian businesses we invest in, and they are also essential for Canadian investors looking to diversify beyond our borders.
The right portion of foreign investments in a portfolio depends on the individual investor, but always being diversified on a global scale lowers single-sector risk and opens up a world of opportunity. To avoid having to pay currency traders for an ongoing labyrinth of foreign transactions, it’s best to buy foreign equities in U.S. dollars, which is the global standard currency. That means banking up U.S. dollars in trading accounts such as a registered retirement savings plan and tax-free savings account .
ETFs are not as effective as actively managed mutual funds at adjusting to changes or nuances relating to specific foreign markets.