In fact, with 50 percent of the portfolio in US ETFs, the portfolio took an initial 0.75 % (50 % of 1.5 %) hit
in currency conversion costs alone.
We could assume
currency conversion costs of 1.5 % each way, annualized stock market returns of 7 %, hedging penalty of 1 % and work out who comes out ahead for (1) US dollar remains the same.
However, brokers may levy many other costs such as purchase fees (for some assets such as unit trusts), Others may guarantee surprisingly low rates only to recoup this through high management fees or
even currency conversion costs.
Usually, you can «wire» transfer money from your BoA account to the account back home, but that is usually comes at a fee of about $ 30 - $ 50 per transfer (in the US, additional fees may be charged at the receiving end
+ currency conversion costs).
For a 25 year term, annual returns of 7 %, currency - hedging lag of 1.5 %, one -
way currency conversion cost of 1.5 %, we find that (no surprises here) not hedging is advantageous if the foreign currency appreciates or remains the same against the Canadian dollar.
The currency conversion costs are very low at Interactive Brokers too, and if you have a margin then the rates at Interactive are a lot lower.
Based on comparing the conversions I experienced over the last year compared to the bank of Canada noon rate for US dollars
the currency conversion cost is 1.7 % over the spot price each way.
However, investors prefering not to hedge their currency exposure have little choice but to access these markets through ETFs such as Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) available in the U.S.. However, by investing in the U.S., Canadian investors are exposed to U.S. Estate Taxes and
currency conversion costs.
Gerry's strategy will just incur trading commissions, bid - ask spreads and
currency conversion costs — and maybe realize a big capital gain — all while gaining absolutely nothing.
The MER savings from Vanguard funds (VEA is 0.12 % compared to 0.5 % for XIN) will make up for
the currency conversion costs in a few years.
What I'm talking about is
the currency conversion cost that brokerages charge you in buying and selling.
Now, if you're a long - term investor who doesn't trade frequently and plans to hold a few U.S. stocks or ETFs for many years, it might be worth accepting
this currency conversion cost.
Some readers are under the mistaken impression that investors can avoid
the currency conversion costs by enrolling in synthetic DRiPs.
At Questrade,
this currency conversion costs 0.5 % in a registered account, so you don't want to be converting more than necessary.
-- the term of investment (in years)-- annual returns — Currency - hedged fund tracking error —
Currency conversion cost — size of currency appreciation / depreciation over the investment term