skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: Hi,

I have no materials in my portfolio although lots of oil. Can u recommend two US and two CDN ETFs OR companies that you think should do well without too much volatility?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on March 01, 2022
Q: Hi 5i, what do you think of all the offerings of Starlight Capital, Toronto please?
Read Answer Asked by Ron on March 01, 2022
Q: I have a small position in each of the above listed ETFs. I believe one must be invested in more than just North America but, I am concerned with the Geopolitical situation in Russia (re Ukraine) and China (re Taiwan). Additionally, these ETFs have been down lately and I'm thinking of selling them. What percentage of each ETF is invested in Russia/China? What would you recommend to replace these ETFs in order to exclude or have minimal exposure to Russia/China?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Sean on March 01, 2022
Q: Retired, dividend-income investor.

I just flushed a legacy mutual fund that was planned to be merged into a different MF. I didn't like the new MF asset allocation. I plan to top up some of my existing ETFs and stock holdings to my maximum comfort level re: asset allocation, then (if needed) add an additional ETF to complement the portfolio.

Q#1 = I own CDZ and ZLB. For a conservative, long term, core ETF what guideline would you use for maximum asset allocation? I currently am at 7-8% each for the equity portion of my portfolio.. Is it reasonable to stretch this to 10% each? When I look at the top 10 holdings in CDZ and ZLB, there is no overlap at all.

Q#2 = I also own LIFE and ZWC, both covered call ETFs...total exposure is 11% of my equities. What maximum exposure to CC would you recommed? I seem to recall a question a while back that you suggested 10 or 15% was reasonable.

Q#3 = depending on your above answers, I may need an additional ETF with the following attributes for a long term holding = conservative, dividend >3%, Canadian holdings (ok to have some foreign). holdings should hit as many of the 11 sectors as possible and if possible, little overlap with the top 10 contained in CDZ or ZLB.

Thanks for your help...much appreciated...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 01, 2022
Q: Hello I’ve been watching what has been going on in our world and it is terrifying and heartbreaking
Would you have a few cyber security stocks we could add to our portfolio and stocks that you would be looking at in these times
Thank you and take care
Read Answer Asked by Marla on March 01, 2022
Q: Are you aware if there are mounting pressures on ETF providers (Vanguard, Black Rock, etc...) to exit the Russian equity markets? I own VEE, VXC and VEQT for my international exposure, and realized I own about 1500$ worth of Russian stocks. I am not morally confortable anymore with that exposure even though it's a very small weighting. I would gladly write it off of my portfolio... I know this is personal to every investor and that's OK, but some principles come before returns for me...
If it's unlikely Vanguard would make any move towards ETF ex-Russia, I am seriously thinking of selling all (fortunately my exposure is mostly in registered accounts) and buying international alternatives.

What ETFs would you then suggest to get similar international exposure ex-Russia?

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Julien on March 01, 2022
Q: I have invested in both of these ETFs, one being in CAD, the other in USD.
On Thursday, the value of the CAD version was $16.03; the value of the USD version was 16.62.
This difference in value does not adequately address the current exchange rate of about 1.28.
It seems that the US version is underpriced and that the CAD version is much better value. Could you please explain why there is this discrepancy?
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Catherine Ann on March 01, 2022
Q: Context: Sold CNQ after a long run up. Funds now to deploy into a locked in RSP about to be unlocked into an income stream. Currently have all blue chip dividend payers and am looking to offset risk by initiating a bond position. Looking for:
-CDN domiciled etf with NA and/or Global focus
-3% minimum yield
-High grade but willing to accept corporates for yield
-Prefer shorter term to maturity, to match future rate increases
-If not CDN domiciled, willing to look at US and willing to look at more than one to match criteria

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Harry on February 28, 2022
Q: GLD is one of the ticker/companies that holds physical gold in the USA, are there any companies or units that do this in Canada? If there are one or more in Canada would you recommend say a 5% weight at this time? Would you hold physical gold at this time or prefer gold miners or streamers?
Read Answer Asked by Keith on February 28, 2022
Q: Just wondering if you would offer an opinion on what the likelihood is that both of these ETF’s could be higher a year from now? I guess what I am trying to ask is whether small caps in general might “revert to the mean” in terms of their historic relationship to larger caps regardless of whether growth or value is more in favour/out of favour?

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on February 28, 2022
Q: Notice this is trading approximately 3% higher than its 52 week low. Pays a healthy dividend over 6%. Given the situation in the Ukraine, think now is a good time to jump in for the dividend (I am mostly interested in income) or is it possible the dividend may be cut ? If not, what would you see as an attractive entry point and do you feel the dividend should be safe longer term (and I assume you agree this situation with Russia will get fixed in the next 60-90 days).
Read Answer Asked by Randy on February 28, 2022
Q: 65 yr old retiring this year. I hold the following: XAW (35%), XBB (20%), XIC (12%), CDZ (7%), ZSP (7%), VTI (7%), ZIC, VTI and ENB at 5% each.
In view of the current conditions, would you increase the fixed asset portion and reduce equity? Which ones would you add to and which ones would you reduce/remove?
Read Answer Asked by Rosemin on February 25, 2022
Q: Good morning 5i
I am well diversified in my portfolio and so i am looking to buy opportunistically into this dip. So sectors don’t matter. What do you see as the best opportunity currently? Also, your analysis tells me that i need more weight outside of Canada and the US. With this turmoil would Europe be a good choice. If so, what etf would you use?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on February 25, 2022