This translation has been automatically generated and has not been verified for accuracy.Investing strictly in Canadian stocks wins you no points for diversification, but there are definite upsides.
Can it be possibly be a net win to ignore the 96.6 per cent of the global stock market outside Canada? Maybe if you’re investing strictly for dividend income and are taking advantage of the dividend tax credit in a non-registered account. Otherwise, you want global diversification to contribute returns at times when the resource- and financials-dominated Canadian market underperforms.A Globe and Mail reader recently asked about a portfolio that is primarily devoted to Canadian stocks.
Regardless of whether currency hedging is used, holding ETFs or stocks from outside Canada is a crucial means of diversification. For example, the Canadian market has only trace exposure to vibrant sectors like technology and health care, while the U.S. market is rich in both.