Investment Q&A

Q: Thank you for providing a great analysis of the historical performance of LC, MC, and SC stocks after a 20% decline on Apr. 18. In a previous question asked by a member you recommended IJT as a way to buy the S&P SmallCap 600 growth stocks. What symbol do you recommend for the S&P MidCap 400 group? Thanks again for the amazing service you provide.

Q: Just wonder your thoughts on this. Is it safe investment, has it been around long, is dividend safe. Would you buy for a long term hold? Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i
Wondering if you know of a US equivalent of vbal, that a Canadian can buy. From my own search, it seems like there is onlya US mutual fund equivalent, which Canadians can’t buy. But maybe you have other information.
Thanks

Q: In Portfolio Tracking and Analysis you suggest a portfolio allocation of 35% in international stocks.
I currently hold ZDI for 5% and need an additional 13% according to your recommendation.
At 18% (if I stick with ZDI) this seems like much for just one etf. Should I split between 2 or 3 etfs? Which ones do you recommend?
Please take credits as needed.
Thank you.

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor. I hold the Evolve ETF called LIFE. It is my proxy for the Health Care sector and have 7% of my equity portfolio in LIFE.

I just read the April 21/23 question by Michael regarding the Cease Trade Order on 11 Evolve ETFs.

The article did not specifically mention LIFE, but I wanted to check with you that there was 0% chance of a spillover impacting LIFE. In other words, I wouldn't need to flush my LIFE holding and buy a similar product, like HHL.

Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: If the unthinkable happens and the US doesn't raise the debt ceiling leading to the US government defaulting, how would this affect holdings in each of HSAV, HSUV.U and ZMMK? Secondly if an investor held both such an opinion and such holdings, would it then be prudent to sell the holdings before the limit is reached? Please define the risks to these holdings if any actually exist.

Q: Are US industrials included?
If so, ~ what % ?
thanks jerry

Q: So after listening to Josh Brown interview Ric Edelman this ETF was discussed and seems timely. Would appreciate your views on Mr Edelman who sounds plugged in to what the future may deliver (he does however predict the downfall of Alphabet which isn't the base case of many - you included). That aside wondering about this ETF and your current opinion on whether it's buyable. Given the possibilities of AI, robotics, potential developments in medical science and treatment - all things that may fascinate but about which many of us have very limited understanding or vision about - might you characterize this holding in an appropriate portion as a smart piece of an overall portfolio that provides investors with exposure to future areas of potentially exponential growth - and perhaps your take on this ETF vs the ARK ETFs re valuation, risk and holdings comparisons - appreciate your viewpoint.

Q: Can you shed some light on these fixed income vehicles offered by Bank of Montreal and BNS respectively.

BNS and BMO Canadian Banks (AR) Index Callable Contingent Coupon Notes. (indicated return of up to 10.08%)

Are these index related or linked to the TSX equity index?
Not sure how they can pay out so much, hopefully you can explain if these are a good option to use for income in a retirement portfolio.


Thnx 5I

Q: Hello 5i
I am a Canadian citizen and resident. I want to avoid US Estate tax on US stocks.
Which are the Canadian ETF providers that have ETFs containing US stocks?
Should I assume that Canadian branches of US ETF providers would still be vulnerable?
Do you have specific recommendations?
Many thanks for your ongoing great service !

Q: I keep hearing about the 60/40, 40/60 ratio of what you should be invested in with regards to Stocks and Bonds...

- I have Never held Any Bonds of Any Sort...Just Stocks...

- Please recommend some sort of Bond Investment I can consider that is somewhat safe, but Not ultra conservative...

- I remember when my parents said that Canada Savings Bonds were a good and reliable investment...a vintage memory...

Have a good weekend
Thanks
M

Q: Please suggest a few US and Canada mid-cap equity ETFs to invest for over 5 year term--buy & hold idea. As well, please provide for each a good entry point.
Thanks,
Roger

Q: any recommendations for an etf[s] that track the metals ? i.e. ones that are going to be used for batteries etc.
thanks

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor. I am considering adding ZUT to our portfolio, to assist us meeting our targeted asset allocation in the Utilities sector in our Cash account. We already own AQN, FTS and utilities contained within CDZ, ZLB, ZWC.

Q#1 = do you agree that this is a good fit? When I check out the rankings of other ETFs, ZUT is just "ok". However, ZUT compares very well against XUT and I like the "equal weight" approach. I also like the roughly 30% "renewables" content within ZUT. Are there other Utility ETFs that I should consider?

Q#2 = some of the metrics I look at are P/B (1.7), P/E (22.8), ROE (5.4%). Historically, is ZUT cheap or expensive right now?

Q#3 = looking at the technicals, from a value perspective, it looks to my amateur eyes that now is a good time to buy. Agree?

Thanks for your help...much appreciated.
Steve

Q: Risk to reward seems pretty good currently on this one ?

Q: Good morning, and thanks for your consideration on my question.

Last week I was taken off guard by the Cease Trade Order imposed on ETF provider Emerge Canada. As a unitholder of EAGB (RRSP account, Long term time horizon) I did not receive any communication from the company, and didn't notice any news on the Emerge website. Apparently, ARK is now re-evaluating its relationship with Emerge.

A recent FT article on this noted that this could be both long in the running and potentially terminal for some of their ETFs.

If I remain positive, and anticipate that this situation gets resolved, I cant help but imagine a massive sell off once trading resumes. In your opinion, and generally speaking, does one "close out their position" when the opportunity to do so comes up, or stay the course?
Thank you, Mike

Q: How would you recommend adding a small/prudent amount of exposure to bonds in the current market environment?

Q: TSLY Could you explain this ETF? Will this ETF go down to zero? Thanks.

Q: What is your recommended short term CAD bond etf? Can you briefly discuss your top 3?

Q: For Japan exposure in CDN dollars, would you prefer ZJPN or CJP and why? Thanks!