Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i
I hold 13% covered call ETFs in a portfolio of diversified blue chip dividend payers, regular ETFs and some growth holdings, 56 holdings in all. These covered call ETFs include HMAX, UMAX, SMAX, QMAX, ZWH, HHLE, HDIV, HYLD AND NXF-B. I am 79 and looking for income. I believe the upside restrictions of the covered call ETFs is made up for by the advance in the other holdings. . MER on the total portfolio according to Portfolio Summary is 0.11%. I am also admonished for holding over 10 ETFs. Should I change this strategy though I like the $1,300 to $1,800 a month bump up or just keep collecting? Please take as many credits as necessary.

Q: Is this etf worth holding?

Q: With the substantial recent decline in technology stocks, do you think that now a good time to enter the sector, or do you think we have more downside ahead? I have been looking at 3 ETF's to gain technology exposure, TXF, HTA & QMAX. I know that there are similarities between them, but could you compare and contrast them re: holdings, risk, stability of payouts, tax treatment, etc. and rank them most favoured to least favoured with your reasons? Also, are there any other ETF's in this area that you prefer? I realize that there is more than one question here, so would you please deduct the number of credits that you require, Thank you.

Q: Rheinmetall (RNMBY:US) Looks to have a promising future now that Germany is beginning to invest more money in defence.

Would it be better to invest directly through the NYSE or through an ETF, or some other vehicle you might recommend?

Q: Is a 10% position in HSAV a safe investment for people in their 80's not wanting any income and will never need the funds? Is it safe to buy now?

Q: My international holdings (ex, US) comprise 15 % of my portfolio, which comprises 70% VE, and 30% VEE. Do you think that VIU would be a better option than VE at the same percentage? Thanks in advance as always.

Q: Hi team,

What is the significance of the Morning Star annotations (v.g. *** Silver) when you look at an ETF or stock ? Does it change frequently and for what reason ?

Gratefully,

Jacques IDS

Q: Can you provide any insight on US healthcare Select SPDR fund,?
Thanks

Q: Is EFR a good buy in the current environment if one is looking at a 3-5 year hold period? Note: although I prefer Canadian dividend-bearing securities, I am in a sufficiently low tax bracket for there to be no material disadvantage for purchasing a foreign asset with a sufficiently high yield.

Q: Just few more covered call gold ETF questions and I promise to stop flogging this horse and make a decision ..... Of the five ETF's 5i recommended { AMAX, CGXF,BASE,GLCC,GDXY } Could 5i give me the return, unit price gain/loss plus dividends for each ETF as a percentage ? .... As both AMAX and GDXY have only been around a year just go back for that period of time for each one. This will be long enough for me to assess as I am looking for gold volatility pre and post Trump's election.....

I notice all have an upward trend except GDXY. Could 5i speculate on the reason why ? Of course the question is does that 32.5% dividend more than make up for it ? I should be able to see that by your evaluations of returns for the other ETF's in comparison ......

And finally, hypothetically, if 5i were forced to choose one or two of these to " hide " in while assessing just exactly how bad Trump is going to make things for Canada . Which would be your two favorites, first and second, and why ? ...... Thanks for your terrific service ..... Garth .....

Q: Hi there,

I'm evaluating the fixed income portion of my portfolio and am debating between a ladder GIC vs a HISA ETF. I understand GICs are locked in rates and HISA etfs are floating, but can you provide any insight as to the general historical differences in performance over historical time? In other words, say 100k split into 5 rungs of 20k vs 100k in a floating rate HISA etf - is there any difference in performance historically?

Thank you!

Q: What do you think of HUBL for income generation and do you think the 9-10% yield is sustainable?

Any better alternatives in the 8-10% range?

Q: What US & CDN ETFs replicate the DJIA. Is there an ETF that you would recommend. Thanks … Cal

Q: What would the change of interest rates going up or down have on yield and the etf price on ZFH.ca. And the possible magnitude of yield and ETF price.
Thanks.

Q: Dear 5i team.

Looking at the chart of ZFH, it appears to be volitile around general market downturns. Can you explain how/why a bond fund like this has this much downside when markets panic and sell off? Looks fairly correlated to me.

Many thanks for your help.

Q: Do you have a preference between XBB and VAB?

Thanks as always

Q: In the description of the ETF, it mentions the following: "The Fund will invest primarily in debt instruments of Canadian corporations that are not investment grade." -- I have difficulty reconciling the "not investment grade" with your previous comment "solid, fairly conservative ETF, especially considering we are entering a tarif war. What am I missing?

André

Q: I'm impressed by the performance of the Hamilton Etfs, managing a crazy high 'dividend' and not really losing price. How will the Hamilton covered call ETFs (I've listed only a couple examples) do in a down market -- will they outperform or underperform the market ? I know they are new products; are these ETFs at risk of 'bait and switch' in terms of some unseen fees or reduced distributions?

Q: Is the interest subject to withholding tax on the US side? (held in TFSA)

Q: Is there any withholding tax on an ETF like VGG in a TFSA when you sell it?