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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: Good afternoon,

Looking for some general guidance.

I currently have 25% of my portfolio in CAD-listed US ETF's - 14% XUU, and 11% ZSP. I have a few questions for you guys....

1. Would you ever put just 25% in (either) ETF or do you like that fact theyre different (I think you recommend no more than 15% per ETF max? is that correct?). I'd see the advantage of all-in one being better for DRIP'ing but think you (and me) prefer diversification.

2. I would like to add more American holdings in general (maybe 8% more to get to 33%). I am mostly interest in CAD-ETF's to achieve this. Would you view XQQ or XUS as a way to add some 'torque'?

Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on August 20, 2021
Q: Hi 5i,

This Active Global Equity ETF, TGGR created approximately 1 Year ago has reasonable 1 Year performance. It's Total Net Assets is listed as approx. 4.2M and has 200K shares out. Total assets seem very low for an ETF that has been available for at least 1 Year. The trade volumes are also very low. Does this suggest that investors have not been interested in the ETF in the past year and the 4.2M represents the initial seed money TD used to create the ETF? In general, should one avoid an ETF with similar characteristics?
Read Answer Asked by Ian on August 20, 2021
Q: I would like to hold a S and P 500 ETF for a long term hold in a non registered account

Between HXS AND VFV

1. Are there any tax advantages one over the other.
2. VFV seems to hold the American ETF NOT THE stocks themselves. What impact does this have for me?
3. please confirm for each their respective MER, AUM and daily trading volumes.
4. if either is held in a TFSA does it change anything?

thanks
Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on August 18, 2021
Q: I would like to hold a NASDAQ 100 ETF long term in a non registered account.

1. is there a tax / bookkeeping advantage for holding one of the above over the other? (some websites imply that you have to keep records closely for American dollar ETFs, I believe they are referencing adjusted cost base at time of future sell.)

2. Is there an alternative to HXQ.CA that you would recommend? Or do. you think this is the best one at the present time?

3. Do any of your answers change if held in a TFSA?
4.Do any of your answers change if held in a RRSP?

Thanks
Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on August 18, 2021
Q: Hi 5i team.

Given the recent SEC statements re: china listings in the US, and the continued Chinese Gov't crack down on swaths of sectors, specifically Tech., what would your advice be with investments that are China related. Is there a safer way to play this via ETF vs trying to pick winners and losers? Or do I just sit and watch as this unfolds.

Appreciate your insights.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on August 18, 2021
Q: Can you recommend a few ETFs that have good exposure to US industrials and materials? Preferably in a single security if there is one, but separately is fine as well. I'm indifferent as to whether it is a CDN ETF listed in Canada or USD ETF listed on a US exchange.

Read Answer Asked by Brad on August 18, 2021
Q: For a RESP, which ETF would you prefer VEQT or XEGT?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked on August 17, 2021
Q: Hi
in regards to the Balanced ETF model portfolio, which ETFs that trade in USD would you recommend in place of VGG and ZSP?
I assume that both of these ETFs provide dividends and would best be held in an RRSP - is that right?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mary on August 16, 2021
Q: Hi 5iTeam,

I wish to setup a long-term equity portfolio for my child consisting of the following:

QQQ - 30%
SPY - 30%
XIC - 10%
VEA - 30%

Rebalancing will be done annually.

Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the risk-return profile of this portfolio? For example, should additional ETFs be added to incorporate "value", "small-cap", "emerging markets" and "frontier markets"?

Your comments are most appreciated.

George
Read Answer Asked by George on August 16, 2021
Q: Just bought a position in SOXQ. This appears to basically have identical holdings as SMH. SOXQ is not charging a management fee until December and subsequently are only charging a fee of 19 points which is almost half
of the fee for SMH. Is it likely that they will increase this charge in the near future or can I expect it to stay the same for some time. What is your long term outlook for the chip stocks? ( I should have asked this question before
purchasing) and is this a cyclical product?
Read Answer Asked by ed on August 16, 2021
Q: Couple questions--do you have a preference among the ETFs linked solely to Ether? I saw the CI one has the lowest fee (or so the marketing says) and 100% cold storage.

Second, what's the difference between the ETHX.B (CAD "unhedged") and ETHX.U (which I guess trades in USD)? Just want to make sure that there are no hedging costs.. are both unhedged?

Thanks!!
Read Answer Asked by Chris on August 13, 2021
Q: I would like to own some simple diversified US equity both in my RRSP and a non registered account.

#1.currency exchange aside does it matter TAX-WISE (dividend withholding tax) which one is in the RRSP

#2. considering currency exchange costs, do you recommend going with VOO or sticking to VFV in a non registered account. (factors to consider , amount invested will likely be upwards of 100 000 and long term hold)

thanks

Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on August 13, 2021
Q: Cybersecurity Question: Morningstar Canada suggests these three equities as candidates in the expanding cybersecurity sector. Your comments on these, please. Are there ETFs with similar sector exposure, but with more diversification?
1. CHKP - Checkpoint Software
2. OKTA - Okta
3. PANW - Palo Alto Networks

Thank you
IslandJohn
Read Answer Asked by John on August 13, 2021
Q: After reviewing your response to my question on Porsche, I also looked up VW. I understand VW is expected soon to become the world’s largest maker of EVs. I then stumbled into the ETF "CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund" (not in your data base). CARZ includes Japanese, German, and American automakers ( unfortunately not not parts and other suppliers).

I am light on industrials. Would CARZ be an attractive addition? If capital would be better used elsewhere, I would appreciate your alternate suggestions very much.
Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 13, 2021
Q: Morgan Stanley just issued a warning that the “commodity-type” semiconductor companies (DRAM and other) have entered late-cycle. MS adds that earnings going forward for such companies will be challenged. I hold more than a full allocation in semis once I include semiconductor securities held directly.

My question is on SOXX which is held in a taxable account. What components in, and what percent of, SOXX would be considered DRAM and other commodity-type companies? Would I be correct in thinking if the percentage of the said commodity-type companies is higher than 15% , it would be best to trim? (I would not be trimming securities that are held directly).
Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 13, 2021
Q: EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF seems to be losing much ground in the last month. I am wondering if I missed something significant on her economy or the related geopolitics. Would you care to comment on what is going on that affects EWY much more adversely than SPY:US. It does not appear that exchange rate was part of the reason, but I may have miscalculated Forex.

EWY has a heavy concentration in Samsung and Samsung-related entities, companies that one would likely be happy to own— or would you disagree? Would this be a good time to add? If yes , would you add to EWY or buy FLKR instead (and why please). Thanks.


Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 13, 2021
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