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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: Helping my son with his investments which are as follows: MAW 106 24%,MAW 106 20%. VUS 21%, VEF 18%, VEE 8%, ZJG 6% and XQQ 3%.Feeling there is a bit of an overlap with some of these investments eg XQQ and VUS also with MAW 150 and VEF to a degree. Any advice is welcome ,stay as is , reduce holdings or increase some..He prefers ETF's and Mutual Funds (Mawer) and is a bit risk adverse but does realize markets go up and down though and is young( mid 30's ) enough to handle declines. ! Thanks.Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 11, 2021
Q: Hi, I presently have the above U.S ETF's in a non reg corporate account. Total portfolio weighting is SPY - .45 / DVY - 4.03 / IWD - .84
I am overweight in financials.
What are your thoughts? Minimum of 5 year hold. Thanks so much.
Read Answer Asked by Lorraine on January 11, 2021
Q: I am not well diversified into the US market.

I would like to sell some Canadian Banks and put that capital into US equities.

I would like to consider an ETF or a mix of ETFs.

I would like to stick to my investment personality,
long term hold, would not need money for well over 10 years.
Large Cap, Blue Chip dividend paying and "dividend GROWING" equities.

1. Can you make a recommendation for a low cost / mer etf.
2. Do I need more than one ?
3. Should I buy this in Canadian or US funds ?
4. What are the pros and cons of the purchase in Canadian or US dollars

thanks

Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on January 11, 2021
Q: Setting up an 40K RRSP with a 6 to 10 year time frame. What is your opinion and/or alternatives to ZEB, VXC, ZDV, XBB in equal proportions.
Read Answer Asked by Ric on January 11, 2021
Q: Hi, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on January 11, 2021
Q: Hi - Can you please suggest some Canadian ETFs? Already own a few including COW (just bought), ZAG, XWD and XHB.

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Jill on January 11, 2021
Q: Did you ever hear anything more regarding the ZRE 1.048:1 stock issue? I just checked the "holding" status and activity on ZRE in my RBC Direct Investing account. The number of shares hasn't changed at all and I don't believe the ACB has changed either. There was a note posted by RBC that the ZRE 1.048:1 issue was taken care of effective Dec 29/20, so I thought I'd give it a week or so to see if anything showed up before calling them. Check with you first.
Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 11, 2021
Q: Hi Team,
A belated Happy New Year.
Would you please suggest some US$ based as well C$ based ETFs with a focus in AI and renewable energies.
Cheers,
Read Answer Asked by Harry on January 08, 2021
Q: Hi the great 5i team, can you explain the cost of buying and selling ETF? Where does MER come in the picture? What is the difference between trading stocks and ETF?Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by victor on January 08, 2021
Q: Good morning - I was reading an interesting GS report which is calling for a structural bull market for commodities, starting in 2021. Let's say GS is correct. Assuming that, what would you suggest for a Canadian investor, both at home and in the US. Also, is there an ETF or two that you would suggest to address this assumed trend. Finally, do you think GS is on or off target here?
Thanks

al
Read Answer Asked by alex on January 08, 2021
Q: Hi Team,

Like many I am trying to figure out what to do with cash on hand with interest rates near zero. I am trying to generate income while managing risk/volatility for this "low risk" part of my portfolio.

After some research I have come up with what may be three "best of breed" places to put some cash to work: REITs (e.g., RIT), preferred shares (e.g., HPR) and real return bonds (e.g., XRB).

What are your overall thoughts please on these securities at this time? Do you see any better alternatives in this market and interest rate cycle? What are the main downside risks you see for each security? Would you consider blue chip, high yield common shares more attractive or is there a diversification benefit here?

(Please deduct as many credits as appropriate for this compound question.)

Thank you so much, Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on January 07, 2021
Q: Happy New Year 5i team - I was reading about the iShares Global Green Bond ETF (BGRN on Nasdaq) in today's Globe. I would appreciate your thoughts on this fixed income fund. I have avoided bonds in my portfolio and have opted to hold cash in a high interest savings account for flexibility. I'm retired and am wondering whether this may be a good and relatively safe way to hold one to two years of living expenses, while at the same time generating some income. Thanks for all your good advice over the past several years.
Read Answer Asked by Martha on January 07, 2021
Q: With BAM's takeover of BPY I will have some cash in my RRSP to invest. I want to add to my position in the US market. I currently hold the above ETFs in my RRSP in fairly equal weightings and represents a total of 20% of my total investible assest. The cash from BPY would represent a half position relative to my other US holdings. I do not need to RRIF for another 8 years.
2 questions:
1. Can you recommend another ETF for the US market in CAD that might supplement my current holdings or simply add proportionally to my existing holdings.
2. I am a bit concerned about the S&P 500 and the recent addition of Tesla which is at a stratospheric valuation in addition to the FANG stocks which are also at high valuations. (I also have a position in FANG with ZQQ). Would a switch to EQL or similar ETF provide a better balance and take advantage of a more broad market recovery in 2021.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on January 07, 2021