Question 1

Can Cognitor replace my portfolio tracking spreadsheet?

Accepted Answer

Cognitor is not a portfolio tracker. It does not hold positions, calculate cost basis, or track unrealized gains. It provides weekly structured research on approximately 40 curated US-listed ETFs. You maintain your holdings and cost basis at your broker — Questrade, Wealthsimple, RBC Direct, or wherever you trade.

Question 2

I only hold one all-in-one ETF like XEQT or VEQT — is Cognitor useful?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you want macro read-through on the sleeves inside that fund. XEQT holds roughly 45% US equity, 25% Canadian equity, 25% international developed, and 5% EM. Map the US equity beta to SPY, international developed to VEA, and emerging markets to VWO — then use Cognitor's weekly dossier as a macro checkpoint before any size change. Always treat as narrative context, not a product substitute.

Question 3

Does the 15% US withholding tax on dividends affect how I should use Cognitor?

Accepted Answer

The withholding tax applies to US-listed ETF dividends in non-registered and TFSA accounts (not RRSP). It affects your net yield but not the macro research Cognitor provides. Account placement decisions — which ETFs to hold in which wrapper to minimize withholding drag — are planning decisions outside Cognitor's scope. Cognitor covers the underlying macro and sector narrative regardless of which account wrapper you use.

Question 4

Does Cognitor analyse TSX-listed ETFs directly?

Accepted Answer

Cognitor's dossier is built on a fixed weekly set of US-listed ETFs. Canadian-listed ETFs such as VFV, XAW, ZSP, and XEQT track overlapping indices and exposures — map them to the closest US-listed Cognitor ticker for macro read-through. Holdings are not identical; treat the mapping as narrative context, not a tick-for-tick substitute.

Question 5

How often should I review my Canadian ETF portfolio using Cognitor?

Accepted Answer

At minimum, read the Friday PRIME synthesis and SENIOR tension map before any rebalance decision. For ongoing portfolio awareness, the Mon–Thu briefings flag macro shifts between weekly anchors. Many Canadian investors align a more thorough Cognitor review with their annual rebalance cadence and RRSP contribution season.

Research Your Canadian ETF Portfolio Through Six Independent Specialist Frameworks

Mapping Canadian holdings to the weekly US-listed universe