David Shapiro
How long have you been investing and what got you started?
I have just celebrated my 51st year on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
What was the first ETF you bought and why did you buy it?
Satrix40 – because it was excellent exposure for clients who didn’t have enough capital to build a bespoke portfolio.
What ETFs do you currently hold?
Most of my business is offshore, but where clients are compelled to retain a local portfolio, I buy several offshore trackers on the JSE to give them foreign exposure.
What are your favourite local listed ETFs?
My favourites are SYG500 (S&P500), STXNDQ (Nasdaq), SYGEU (EuroStoxx50), SYGWD (MSCI World) and SYGH (Global Health).
What are your favourite offshore listed ETFs and why?
Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT), iShares US Medical Devices ETF (IHI), Global X Lithium and Battery ETF (LIT).
Primarily because of the sectors they cover: The healthcare and medical devices ETFs provide broad exposure to a segment of the market where it is impossible to call the winners. The Lithium and battery ETF provides exposure to a small selection of businesses involved in lithium mining and exploration and the production of batteries.
Do you also hold individual shares?
Yes.
What is the percentage split of your portfolio between ETFs and shares?
Globally, shares still dominate – they make up around 80% of my portfolio, while ETF’s are around 20%. Domestically, I hold more than 50% in offshore trackers, sometimes more.
Where can we find you?
My Twitter handle is @davidshapiro61
ETF blog
At Just One Lap, we are big fans of passive investment using ETFs. In this weekly blog, we discuss ETFs on the local market and the factors you need to consider when choosing an ETF. If you have wondered how one ETF differs from another, this is where you can find out. We explain which index each ETF tracks, what type of portfolio could benefit from holding each ETF, and how the costs will affect your bottom line.