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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I'm reducing the number of holdings in one of my RIF's. With cash to re deploy, which is better for long term hold and dividend appreciation with minimal downside. Probably an apples to orange comparison but EIF is it's own mini etf with it's various holdings. Leaning toward XEI, what is your take? Both already owned btw
Read Answer Asked by Harry on September 21, 2023
Q: "We don't quite match the market in good years but will lessen your losses in bad years" say many portfolio managers to clients in exchange for a 1/2 to 1% management fee.

But, over the years, since the market has had significantly more positive years than negative years, I feel this is a good argument to just purchase some very low-fee ETFs, once you've determined your asset and currency mix. Less fees, therefore more money invested and therefore little value add from the advisor! Your comments please.

Also, I am a 65 year old retiree with a high 7 figure investment portfolio who will not run out of money. I favor a balanced portfolio of 80% equity (with a slight tilt to growth) and 20% fixed income. I also favor a 50/50 split between US and CAN dollars.

While I realize you cannot provide individual advice, which low cost ETFs should I consider?
Read Answer Asked by John on September 20, 2023
Q: Good morning, I’m wondering if you could provide a list of a few dividend ETFs for a TFSA. Looking to contribute every two weeks. Currently hold XEI. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Seamus on September 20, 2023
Q: Hi 5i Team - What would your top 5 ETF's be as I'd like to purchase the best ETF's that you will recommend.
Thx - Doug
Read Answer Asked by DOUG on September 20, 2023
Q: The four referenced cash accounts pay roughly the same rate of return. Which of these are best in terms of risk and liquidity. What would you recommend for cash portions of the portfolio and which etf if any would you avoid. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by mitchell on September 20, 2023
Q: I own CP, CNR, ENB, BCE, in my Rif account and was thinking about selling these to buy UMAX to increase income and keep me in these sectors. They are about 17% of that portfolio and I don't think I am adding risk by doing this but I will be increasing income significantly. Does this move make sense? Thanks, James
Read Answer Asked by JAMES on September 19, 2023
Q: Dividend tax credit : Do we still get the dividend tax credit for the canadian stocks included in an ETF that holds both canadian and international stocks?
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Yves on September 18, 2023
Q: My question is about HBND, the new bond covered call ETF, which is yet to appear in your menu. It seems like a very nice alternative to a plain vanilla bond ETF, due to the high distributions, and general safety of covered call writing, but your opinion would be much valued. I realize it is new, therefore no history to track, and no doubt still quite small, but i wonder about the safety and erosion of the share price.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Greg on September 18, 2023
Q: We have 30% allocated in our registered accounts for fixed. (currently 10% each for CBO, ZAG and XBB) Are these the best options for today and the next year(s)? Also see XLB recommended recently and wondering if we should be adding or replacing any of the above?
Appreciate your opinion
Thanks Doug
Read Answer Asked by Doug on September 18, 2023
Q: I am at a point in my life where I am looking to my investments more for income than growth. My question concerns how you might incorporate a strategy that are includes "dividend" stocks that pay a low yield. eg HD, TRI, CN etc. Assuming you wish to obtain an overall yield of 4% - 5% from your portfolio (in order to satisfy RRIF requirements while maintaining some growth) I would think it best not to load up only on high yield stocks and continue maintain a balanced portfolio. To achieve the necessary income should one invest in low dividend payers and sell a portion of the low yield dividend payers annually in order to achieve the be needed income; go a bit overweight on high yield equities in order to juice the income; or just forget about balancing the portfolio?

Any thought you have would be greatly welcomed.

Appreciate the insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on September 14, 2023
Q: thoughts about Evolve ETFs?
Read Answer Asked by William on September 14, 2023
Q: I am considering buying HXS.U and HXQ.U in my non registered account for tax purposes. When looking at the 5 year charts of these 2 etfs I noticed a very large drop in both of them on the same day. For example HXS.U went from $85.38 on June 28 2021 to $43.03 on July 5 2021. These drops did not occur in the BMO etf ZSP.U or ZNQ.U. These drops did not occur in HXS or HXQ on that day either.
What happened then? Is there a risk that it could happen again. To lose half of their value is quite a scare.
Thanks
Victoria
Read Answer Asked by Anna on September 13, 2023
Q: Interest rates likely peaking and many real estate stocks are trading at discount. I am considering adding to real estate. Would you comment on this thought and suggest a stock and index.
Read Answer Asked by joe on September 13, 2023