Investment Q&A

Q: I currently hold XMC in my unregistered account as I want exposure to the S&P Midcap 400 index. However, as you pointed out in your response to a recent question, the MER at 0.61% is quite high. Do you recommend an equivalent ETF that trades in the US that I could buy instead? Are there any disadvantages to replacing a Canadian listed ETF with a US listed ETF in an unregistered account (other than realizing tax on the capital gain upon the disposition of XMC)? Thanks as always.

Q: Can you please suggest a few ETF's for a young investor who has recently opened a brokerage account.
My 30 y/o son will be transferring funds currently held at his bank. (TSFA , RESP, RRSP accounts) He is looking for long term investments options.

We as grand parents have started a RESP for each of the grandchildren. Looking after their first year RESP contributions. Currently invested in HXS and a small VFV position.
Can you please give some options for :
RRSP
RESP
TSFA
Thank you
Gord

Q: Morning 5iTeam,

Would you please recommend a couple of bitcoin ETFs in both Canadian and US markets.

Cheers,
Harry

Q: How would you compare Hmax and BKCL ?

Q: I am looking for an etf that addresses small-mid cap US stocks in a cash account, but can be bought in $CDN. I stumbled across TQSM which is a little small for my liking and has a higher MER than I prefer, but otherwise seems to cover the field I am interested in.
What is your opinion of TQSM and do you have other suggestions for this area?

Q: What is your favorite momentum ETF? I like the Vanguard one because of its MER but is it the best one to own?
Thank you

Q: I would like to make a small investment in India; now the most populated country on earth. I like ZID that has returned about 81% over the past 5 years, but the market cap is only $122M - is this ETF too small? I like FIH.U with a trailing P/E of 6.23 and market cap of $1.94B, but it has only increased 13% over the past 5 years - can FIH.U only be bought in USD? Would appreciate your thoughts on ZID and FIH.U, or perhaps you have another suggestion regarding investment in India.
Thanks!

Q: BITCOIN as an asset .
With the US approval of bitcoin ETFs the volatility of bitcoin will likely decreases. It was approved as a high risk/speculative asset. However the business media seems to discarded the warning and reports bitcoin related news like any established asset or company without any warning disclaimer and contributing to the hype of bitcoin.
What is your general take on bitcoin as an asset and would you invest in it?
What kind of warning would you give a small do your own investors in Canada who wander about investing in bitcoin? Thankyou.
Miroslaw

Q: I have this covered call ETF in my LIF account for income and am wanting to switch to a non covered call US dividend ETF can you give a recommendation? Thanks
Keith

Q: In a recent question concerning VFV held in a RRSP, you replied VFV is subject to Level 1 holding tax because it owns units in a US ETF. With regards to ZSP in a RRSP there is no Level 1 tax because ZSP holds individual US stocks & no US ETFs. Is this correct. Thanks … Cal

Q: Beside exchange rates effects, is there any major difference in owning a CAD bitcoin etf like BTCC.B vs one of the newly minted US BTC etfs? I use GBTC as an example but if there's some you like better please mention.

Q: Hello. can I get your opinion on these. Are they worth buying or can you suggest something else ? Thank you for the great service.

Q: What are the leading blockchain ETFs or companies? I'm more interested in focusing on the blockchain technology and blockchain applications used by numerous industries (financial, shipping, government, etc.) rather than focusing on any specific cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Thanks.

Q: I currently own some VGCX as a market volatility hedge and due to my perception of its upward growth potentiality. Which of UVIX or UVXY would best complement VGCX as a volatility hedge in an otherwise sector and geographically diverse portfolio?

Q: I have part of my portolio in a self-managed account and another part in wealthsimple's roboadvisor. My fee only Financial planner said that he does not like the bonds in the roboadvisor which has an equal amount of ZFL (long bond) and WSGB (average duration of 5 years). It is not possible to change the percentage of ZFL to WSGB in a roboadvisor. Although I have really appreciated the service from the roboadvisor (I can have phone calls with a wealthsimple advisor) and love their platform, I am considering moving out of the roboadvisor because it is impossible to change the distribution of long to short bonds. In my self-directed account I hold ZAG - an aggregate bond. My question is: how does an equal distribution of ZFL and WSGB compare to an aggregate bond such as ZAG? Am I exposing myself to much longer duration in the roboadvisor compared to the self-directed account?

Q: Can you tell me the approximate P/E of ZEM? The fact sheet dated Dec 31/23 gives a P/E of 20.66 for ZEM. But can that be right, when for the same date VEE lists a P/E of 7.8x and XEC 12.39x?
Thanks!

Q: Recent news reports talk about “The Granolas”. European companies powering markets like The Magnificent Seven are doing. Any comments and are there ETF’S for them? Term coined by Goldman-Sachs, I believe.

Q: please confirm that Owning VFV in an RRSP there withholding tax is not applied? If it is do you have a suggestion on an S&P eft that would be exempt this hold back

Q: My question is on First Trust Rising dividend Achievers ETF, RDVY and RDVI. Wondering if you know much about them, or if you had other suggestions for a US ETF that holds a group of strong companies that are growing their dividends. Thanks.

Q: Please recommend the best fund for sitting on US cash. Thx.