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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: Hi,

I'm looking for an average beta US ETF with some growth, to hold forever.
VOO has a beta 1. Over five years its done 17.86 % annually
IUSG has a beta 1.1 Over five years, its returned 23.4% annually
VGT .has a beta of .9 over five years, 31.46% annually.
So both IUSG and VGT have lower beta and higher returns than VOO?? And both VGT and IUSG have done much better in the recent tech selloff? Seems hard to believe? While past performance is no guarantee, the numbers suggest I should choose VGT. What do you think?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on January 14, 2022
Q: I am looking for an index fund that follows the Canadian market, and I have been using XIU for some time. I have funds allocated to each of my two children in the same account, and I want to buy analogous, but unique, index funds to make the bookkeeping simpler. I have come across HXT (claims to follow TSX60) and VCE (claims to follow FTSE Canada index, of which I am unfamiliar), both of which seem to be cut from similar cloth. Can you provide insight on the following:

- Can I consider these three ETFs interchangeable, or are there profound differences between them?

- Do they have similar expense ratios, or is there one that is an outlier (being either more expensive or cost-efficient)?

- Is there another Canadian index ETF that you would recommend above these?

I have separate US S&P ETFs and I feel I have enough selection options, which is why my question is limited to ETFs which follow the Canadian TSX60 index. As always, I appreciate any insight you may have to offer, and I look forward to your response.
Read Answer Asked by Domenic on January 14, 2022
Q: I would like to add more healthcare to both my Canadian and US portfolios. I am OK with ETF's, or, good stocks that you like. I currently own small positions in NBLY and WELL, so I would be looking for something outside of those two companies. My timeframe for the investment is long-term (10+ years).

Thanks in advance
Read Answer Asked by Don on January 14, 2022
Q: Hi Team,

I am holding some cash that I intend to hold for 12 -15 months at which time I will be closing on some real estate and will need the money. Do you have any recommendations for a safe 12-15 month hold for these funds where there is still some opportunity for a modest return?
Read Answer Asked by Ian on January 14, 2022
Q: My daughter has $250 a month to invest I would like something that is no commission and like VGRO , what would you suggest
Read Answer Asked by Jean on January 14, 2022
Q: Greetings All:
With regard to a question asked on Jan 9 by Cory concerning the above I have some further inquires. If any of you had 1 million to invest and wanted to keep it simple, as stated, and wanted to be fully invested, with a good degree of security ( As much as can be expected in the stock market) would you invest it in these two funds? What % would you have in each fund, considering you were investor " X " with no strings attached? Most advisors are currently preaching that 2022 will be the year when active investing will win, considering all the expected volatility and sector rotation. Also, if the growth rout continues off and on where could you see IWO falling to? I know this is a prediction question, but considering all the items in your knowledge basket, please make a guess. Please provide some equivalent S & P 500 fund names. I notice that no one at 5-i has an interest in IWO.
Thanks as always,
BEN.
Read Answer Asked by BEN on January 13, 2022
Q: I'm entering retirement and won't be adding much more new capital to savings and so capital preservation is paramount as I look at drawing down phase in the next 6 months. Right now I am still heavily exposed to the markets with about 85% equity exposure. I want to increase the amount of safety but am concerned with the loss of purchasing power and feel the old 60/40 rule isn't adequate anymore. The big dilemma in today's environment is that there really aren't a lot of alternatives to stocks for keeping up with inflation, but this involves capital risk. What balance do you think is more appropriate in this environment? I'm thinking around 75/25 while trying to keep around 12-18 months of expenses in high interest savings so one doesn't have to sell into a down market.

Are you aware of products offered in the market that may provide returns of 5-8% while being "fairly" safe for the capital invested?

Any suggestions on perhaps bond funds that offer returns that will at least keep pace with inflation after fees without undue manageable risk for capital safety?

Looking for any ideas..preferred shares ETF's? (know there is still some capital risk here). Thank you for your help and input.
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on January 13, 2022
Q: Stan Wong on Market Call had EQRR as a top pick. I've been looking for an ETF like this. It looks like the MER is .35%. What do you think of this or do you have a different one that you could recommend for outperformance with rising interest rates? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by TK on January 13, 2022
Q: First of all thank you for your excellent service. Here's hoping 2022 will be juist a good as 2021.
Question: The ETF portfolio in Money Saver showed a change from VIG to VGG. No explanation was given. Also all the ETF portfolios on the mutual fund and ETF website now have VGG. Can an explanation be provided please? It appears that the expenses are the same but the dividend is much higher for VIG.
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on January 12, 2022