Happy new year. Today we’ll take a look at the most popular post (on Cut The Crap Investing) for 2021. Readers are the final judge. I’ll simply look at the readership numbers that are tracked by WordPress. The most popular posts of 2021 must also demonstrate the type of information that reader seek.
As a quick recap for 2021, it was another incredible year for investors, but not so much for the planet. It was the first full year of the pandemic. But as I have often ‘observed’, who knew that a pandemic would be the best thing that could ever happen to stock markets. U.S. stocks are set to deliver the third straight year of double-digit returns.
Canadian markets had a stellar year. We might finish off the year with 25% gains for the TSX Composite. Dividend investors said ‘hold my beer’. It has been a great year for the big Canadian dividend payers. They have outperformed the market.
A typical balanced portfolio is up about 12% in 2021.
The most popular posts for 2021
The most read link on the site each year is the ETF model portfolio page, but we’ll focus on the unique posts.
The number one post
The Beat The TSX Portfolio, can it do it again?
While building an ETF portfolio is popular, it is no surprise that a post that focuses on building a stock portfolio would rise to the top. The Canadian self-directed investor largely owns individual stocks. They will then layer in some ETFs for needed diversification. Mark at My Own Advisor will call that hybrid investing.
You’ll find that Bob at Tawcan also takes that hybrid approach.
The number two post
Canada’s largest mutual fund, the RBC Select Balanced Portfolio is ‘not so bad’.
That readership is a bit of a surprise. But perhaps it should not be, as most Canadians are still invested in mutual funds. When Canadians search for RBC mutual funds or that specific fund, they might be offered that post, thanks to Google. The largest funds from RBC are quite solid. But you can do better by building your own ETF portfolio, or by using an iShares asset allocation ETF.
The number three post
That is a pleasant surprise, at number three in 2021. While we might not copy the portfolio idea, it might be a good idea to put the basic premise to work. And that means, always have an asset that is working, no matter what the economic regime.
Stocks for economic growth
- 25% in stocks to provide a strong return during times of prosperity.
Bonds for deflation
- 25% in long-term bonds, which do well during times of prosperity and during times of deflation (but which do poorly during other economic cycles).
Cash for economic contraction
- 25% in cash to hedge against periods of recessions or depressions.
Gold for inflation
- 25% in gold and precious metals to provide protection during periods of inflation.
We might also think of the process as building an all-weather portfolio. You’ll find that in the new balanced portfolio. We can do better than the permanent portfolio IMHO.
The number four post
Canadian retirees get a nice raise, thanks to the Purpose Longevity Pension Fund.
And that is a nice surprise. I know that my readership does skew to investors with greater assets who are near the retirement stage, or in retirement. That Purpose fund is a welcome addition to the retirement funding landscape. I am working on a post to demonstrate how you might add that fund to the retirement portfolio mix. It allows you to pensionize more of your income.
The number five post
Canadian high dividend yield. Vanguard VDY vs iShares XEI.
Always a popular post, it’s the battle of the big dividend payers. My wife has a sizeable position in VDY (and iShares XIU). “Luckily” we have selected the top performing Canadian dividend fund, from VDY’s inception in 2013.
I use those ETFs for my wife’s accounts as I do not want to expose her to my concentration risk (in my Canadian dividend stock portfolio).
The number six post
Introducing the Tangerine Global ETF Portfolios.
Tangerine was Canada’s first Robo Advisor. They first offered the Tangerine Core Portfolios in 2008. Those are index-based mutual funds. The launch of the ETF portfolios allowed Tangerine to offer portfolios with fees to 0.76%.
The Tangerine portfolios are wonderful options. You’ll get lower fees and access to investment advice. I was an advisor with Tangerine for over five years.
The number seven post
Building the simple stock portfolio.
Once again, the readership of this post demonstrates that Canadians largely want to build around a portfolio of individual stocks. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that. And of course building the sensible ETF portfolio is a wonderful option and perhaps a better option for most.
The number eight post
I’m thrilled to see this in the top ten. Investors should be ready for most anything. For more ideas and examples, check out the advanced couch potato ETF models on MoneySense.
The number nine post
The performance of the one ticket ETFs for 2020.
Due to strong readership early in 2021, this 2020 update made the top ten. The all-in-one asset allocation ETFs are game changers for Canadians. They offer comprehensive global portfolios, in one ETF, with fees in the range of 0.20%-0.27%.
What’s not to love?
You’ll find updated performance on the ultimate asset allocation ETF page.
The number ten post
The Canadian dividend ETFs in 2020.
Once again, this post has strong readership in early 2021. Here’s an update for the big dividend ETFs in 2021. I will be updating that post next week to give you the scorecard for 2021.
Pick your posts
What’s missing? What topic do you want covered in 2022. Or what do you want to see covered in more detail? Please let me know in the comment section. Or send me a note by way of that contact form. This is your blog, I’m here for you.
I hope more Canadians will leave their high fee mutual funds in 2022. It really is a no-brainer.
I wish you and your family a healthy and prosperous 2022.
How to leave your high fee funds behind
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Dale, thanks for your efforts in sharing all kinds of useful info throughout the year.
All the best for 2022.
Chuck
(Charlo_99 on Twitter)