Investment Q&A

Q: I looked on Fundata on this ETF and it says
Management Fee. 0.18%
MER. 0.20 % So does that mean I’m paying .38 % in total to be deducted in total and when would that be payed and also do you think this is a decent ETF to just kind of set and forget,possibly. thanks

Q: I would like to establish a position in the cyber-security sector.

Do you think a basket (ETF) approach is better or a focus on individual companies?

If the latter, please recommend your top 3. Also, are there any small-to-mid cap options that you like here.

Thanks as always.

Q: Hello Peter and 5i Team! it is an RESP account.

A new granddaughter born this year has a tiny new RESP in her name. It started with 3 shared of IUSG, and then, realizing that commissions were a large percentage of such small purchases, we added 2 shares of ZUQ, which has no commission.

For future small contributions, I am looking at these 4 ETFs, based on 3-year average annual return. I am specifically wondering about MER vs Tax efficiency:

ZUQ: +13.44%/yr, MER=0.33%, yield=0.60%, holds US stocks directly
VFV: +13.36%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=0.99%, holds US stocks indirectly through VOO
XUS: +13.36%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=1.03%, holds US stocks indirectly through IVV
ZSP: +13.30%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=0.94%, holds US stocks directly
(as far as I know, none of these are hedged)

Generally I gravitate to low MERs, so perhaps ZUQ is not the best choice.

I recall a comment on 5i that the indirect holding of US stocks means that the withholding tax is withheld when the underlying US ETF pays dividends to the Canadian holding ETF (e.g. VFV get the dividend from VOO, less 15%). So holding in a TFSA won't avoid it, whereas it would be avoided with, say, ZSP in a TFSA.

So, my question is: do the 3-yr performance numbers take all of this into account? I am guessing not... withholding tax efficiency depends on the holders nationality, sheltered status, etc.

Bottom line - which of these ETFs would you recommend for a grandchild with a time horizon of many decades, for optimal performance?

Thanks for your excellent insights and wisdom!

Q: Would this be a good international holding or is there better ones?

Thanks

Q: I have been moving some of my stocks to ZSP or VDY believing this is more conservative as I should be as an older senior. Am I right or have I just made this up?

Q: Hi group want to park some $ in high interest saving account I have 2 question's )

- How is the return calculated ( as an example PSA pays out dividend monthly monthly does that mean if i cash out in the middle of the month that i do not get a pro rated amount based on my balance. Could you explain how that works. is it a daily calculation payable at the end of the month or what.

- if i buy a US high interest account would that be a benefit for a higher return compared to buying a high interest Cad saving acct.

- could you provide some actual comparisons using real returns and currency numbers


thanks for your help with this.

Q: Can you please provide some good Copper and Silver ETF's. CDN and USA.
Thank you in advance

Q: I use VFV for my US stock exposure. Is one ETF enough or should I spread it out over 2 or more.
If more please provide some suggestions.

Q: What are your thoughts on the materials ETF PICK?

Q: I am looking for a Canadian ETF with American exposure with a low mer. What do you suggest.
Thank you
Richard

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Our Technology exposure across all accounts is 20.52%, which is concerning me. Without selling any CSU or LMN, which I plan to keep 'forever', could you please rank the following ETFs in order of which to sell outright, or reduce. Each ETF is followed by the percentage of Technology stocks that it holds:

QQC.F (62.51%)
VFV (39.6%)
XGRO (21.06%)

We have some other ETFs that we want to keep, and their Technology holdings are all less than 15%.

The proceeds from the sale/reduction in the three ETFs above will be used to increase holdings in under represented sectors.

The three ETFs noted all have good profits. No commissions will have to be paid with these transactions.

Thanks as always for your insight.

Q: Hi Peter and 5i Team,

How would you rank these ETFs, XEI, XEQT, VFV, QDTE, for a 10 year hold?

Q: Can you please provide couple of names for great ESG ETF ( Canada and US or global) ? Thank you for your great services. Santoso

Q: Where is the safest ETF to put cash in for a decent yield?

Q: hi, what would be your current top ETF for China, and why? also, if you were to buy individual China stocks today, which ones would you be looking at ( I assume on the US exchanges?)?
cheers, Chris

Q: Good morning all; I've a two part question for you, First, the listed investments are in a RRIF. The current plan is to extract only dividend income, and have some modest stock growth.

I have funds for one more position and I'd like 3 of your suggestions that would add decent dividend income with modest growth of stock value.

Second question is about XLB. It was originally purchased as a post-inflation investment looking for some appreciation as rates declined. While Canada may get a bit more downward adjustment I believe Trump policy will be inflationary. What would be a sound replacement, meeting the dividend and growth goals for the account?

Thanks as always.

Dave

Q: I have only heard of EQL recently. How does it compare to XUS?

Thanks

Q: Besides IGV (US) and XIT (CA), can you recommend any other software ETFs ? Any that focus on small to mid cap software ? Thank you .

Q: I hold both Xli and Vis in my rrif. Is there a us industrial etf which you favour? I would hope for some stability with growth. I would prefer to have only one ie merge the above , but am open to suggestions. Thanks very much
Tom

Q: Which one do you prefer and why?