Investment Q&A

Q: I would like to confirm that income from covered call ETFs is treated as capital gains and/or ROC, and income from preferred shares is treated as eligible dividends. If this is correct, I would see them as candidates for both non-registered and registered accounts.
Thank you.

Upvote 4

Read Answer Asked by Dennis on January 13, 2026

Q: I'm interested in possibly buying Giax but would like your assessment of this etf. Thanks for your valuable information/opinion

Upvote 1

Read Answer Asked by Gilles on January 13, 2026

• Global X Copper Producer Equity Covered Call ETF (CPCC $23.97)
  • $23.97 Cap: $78M
  • View CPCC Profile
  • View Questions on CPCC

Q: Peter; New ETF - do you have any thoughts on management-does it more assets to make it tradeable by institutions.? is it ok for retail players to? thanks.
Rod

Upvote 4

Read Answer Asked by Rodney on January 13, 2026

• BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG $13.65)
  • $13.65 Cap: $12.17B
  • View ZAG Profile
  • View Questions on ZAG

Q: Hello 5i. I'm below on my fixed income. ZAG is almost 7% of my total portfolio but I am looking to increase this to almost 10%. Is this too high for a single ETF, and/or are you still happy with ZAG, or would you suggest an alternative. I'm looking for something fairly safe with a reasonable yield. Thanks again for your excellent service. John.

Upvote 2

Read Answer Asked by John on January 13, 2026

Q: Is there an international small cap ETF or do I need to combine something like IWM + CGro + ACWX?

Upvote 2

Read Answer Asked by Gregory on January 12, 2026

• RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund (RSF $14.72)
  • $14.72 Cap: $48M
  • View RSF Profile
  • View Questions on RSF

Q: Excepting the evidently low growth potential for this fund, why would an income investor not get 4% or so for their portfolio? Is there a Canadian fund that is its approximate equal? Thank you.

Upvote 1

Read Answer Asked by David on January 12, 2026

• Descartes Systems Group Inc. (The) (DSG $93.29)
  • $93.29 P/E (TTM): 40.15X Cap: $8.09B
  • View DSG Profile
  • View Questions on DSG
  • View Reports on DSG
• BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged To CAD Index ETF (ZQQ $196.66)
  • $196.66 P/E (TTM): 32.57X Cap: $3.16B
  • View ZQQ Profile
  • View Questions on ZQQ
• Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF (VIU $48.12)
  • $48.12 P/E (TTM): 1.18X Cap: $10.26B
  • View VIU Profile
  • View Questions on VIU
• Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD $39.49)
  • $39.49 P/E (TTM): 193.9X Cap: $1.24B
  • View EUAD Profile
  • View Questions on EUAD

Q: Happy New Year! I have held ZQQ:CA for several years and am looking switch to an unhedged fund that covers the Nasdaq 100. Is this a good time to switch or given that the US dollar is under pressure right now should I wait to make this switch? Is there an ETF you would recommend in the same category?
I am also overweight in Technology and underweight in International holdings. I hold DSG which has been in decline over the past year and was considering a swap for EUAD for the next five years. Other considerations you may suggest would be appreciated.
Thoughts?
Thank you
Dan
PS. I may have not pressed submit on a previous version of this question…. !! If so apologies for the duplication.

Upvote 3

Read Answer Asked by Dan on January 12, 2026

• Global X Nasdaq-100 Covered Call ETF (QQCC $13.86)
  • $13.86 P/E (TTM): 31.69X Cap: $680M
  • View QQCC Profile
  • View Questions on QQCC
• Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Covered Call ETF (QQCL $26.42)
  • $26.42 P/E (TTM): 34.11X Cap: $351M
  • View QQCL Profile
  • View Questions on QQCL
• JPMorgan US Equity Premium Income Active ETF (JEPI $24.50)
  • $24.50 P/E (TTM): 26.37X Cap: $345M
  • View JEPI Profile
  • View Questions on JEPI
• JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income Active ETF (JEPQ $28.14)
  • $28.14 P/E (TTM): 31.92X Cap: $181M
  • View JEPQ Profile
  • View Questions on JEPQ

Q: Regarding the monthly distributions paid by these ETF's, are these subject to 15% witholding tax or net of them since the etf's trade in Canada? Thx

Upvote 7

Read Answer Asked by Tony on January 12, 2026

• Sprott Physical Copper Trust (COP.U $12.50)
  • $12.50 Cap: $123M
  • View COP.U Profile
  • View Questions on COP.U

Q: Clarification on my question on copper stocks and ETFs.
I copied and pasted that question. I am not sure how those numbers appeared.
My question was about investing in the metal itself and was not related to a specific stock.
Thank you.

Upvote 3

Read Answer Asked by Tulio on January 12, 2026

Q: Hello, The Sprott Physical Silver Trust quotes in USD, but when you go to buy on the TSX it converts to CAD. If you don't have a USD account, then the order execution is in CAD funds, etc. Do you foresee this as an issue, or do you only recommend this fund if buying in USD. Is there a separation with the fund for USD and CAD denominated holdings. What is your recommendation on method to buy this fund. I did buy a position already in the CAD converted option.

Upvote 3

Read Answer Asked by william on January 12, 2026

• BMO Equal Weight Banks Index ETF (ZEB $66.07)
  • $66.07 P/E (TTM): 13.17X Cap: $5.23B
  • View ZEB Profile
  • View Questions on ZEB
• TD Canadian Equity Index ETF (TTP $39.13)
  • $39.13 P/E (TTM): 0.68X Cap: $5.85B
  • View TTP Profile
  • View Questions on TTP
• Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV $179.48)
  • $179.48 P/E (TTM): 26.01X Cap: $31.45B
  • View VFV Profile
  • View Questions on VFV
• Vanguard Global Dividend Fund Series F (VIC200 $17.26)
  • $17.26 P/E (TTM): 11.5X
  • View VIC200 Profile
  • View Questions on VIC200

Q: I'm looking for a lo-volatilty ETF with some growth for a long term hold. Which would u recommend or do you have a better option?

Upvote 2

Read Answer Asked by Graeme on January 12, 2026

• TD Q Global Dividend ETF (TQGD $24.14)
  • $24.14 P/E (TTM): 19.79X Cap: $739M
  • View TQGD Profile
  • View Questions on TQGD

Q: Greetings 5i,

Your thoughts on this etf for a TD customer in a tfsa. Building the wife's portfolio with safer broader market products as we get 10 years out from retirement. What would be your max % for this product in such a portfolio? What other etfs might you consider for a portfolio 10 years out from the big day? I realize you cant personalize advice but I would like your / the industries general thoughts on the subject. Take as many credits as you need,

Cheers!

Upvote 4

Read Answer Asked by Duane on January 12, 2026

• BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP $110.77)
  • $110.77 P/E (TTM): 25.58X Cap: $23.26B
  • View ZSP Profile
  • View Questions on ZSP
• iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC $54.48)
  • $54.48 P/E (TTM): 18.47X Cap: $29.09B
  • View XIC Profile
  • View Questions on XIC
• Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY $70.98)
  • $70.98 P/E (TTM): 12.53X Cap: $7.57B
  • View VDY Profile
  • View Questions on VDY
• Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGG $103.95)
  • $103.95 Cap: $2.36B
  • View VGG Profile
  • View Questions on VGG
• Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VIDY $44.69)
  • $44.69 P/E (TTM): 9.92X Cap: $1.83B
  • View VIDY Profile
  • View Questions on VIDY

Q: I am a retired investor of 60 living comfortably off my pension. I have done very well with your advice over the years, but want to be a more passive investor.. I have read many of your answers regarding etf's. I am thinking of moving my investments towards etfs in the future. For US ZSP and VGG 40% XIC/VDY Canada 40% and International 20% VIDY. Thoughts on my choices and percentages. Any other suggestions? Thank you for your great service over the years. Also any thoughts or preference between BMO vs Vanguard. Thanks Stephen Deduct a few extra credits if needed.

Upvote 13

Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 12, 2026

• Hammond Power Solutions Inc. Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (HPS.A $330.37)
  • $330.37 P/E (TTM): 51.26X Cap: $3.91B
  • View HPS.A Profile
  • View Questions on HPS.A
• Powell Industries Inc. (POWL $307.76)
  • $307.76 P/E (TTM): 20.09X Cap: $10.73B
  • View POWL Profile
  • View Questions on POWL
• Vistra Corp. (VST $147.13)
  • $147.13 P/E (TTM): 67.76X Cap: $50.01B
  • View VST Profile
  • View Questions on VST
• Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG $295.00)
  • $295.00 P/E (TTM): 41.03X Cap: $93.89B
  • View CEG Profile
  • View Questions on CEG
• Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO $32.44)
  • $32.44 P/E (TTM): 36.54X Cap: $468M
  • View AIPO Profile
  • View Questions on AIPO

Q: Relate to a AI driven energy demand, any investable companies or ETF you could suggest? Thanks.

Upvote 5

Read Answer Asked by Lin on January 09, 2026

• Global X Equal Weight Canadian Bank Covered Call ETF (BKCC $18.00)
  • $18.00 P/E (TTM): 15.2X Cap: $352M
  • View BKCC Profile
  • View Questions on BKCC

Q: What are your thoughts on this ETF ? Good investment if one feels banks are quite highly priced at this point ? Are there other similar ETFs out there ?

Thanks,
Mark

Upvote 3

Read Answer Asked by Mark on January 08, 2026

• iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF (CPD $14.09)
  • $14.09 P/E (TTM): 6.96X Cap: $1.07B
  • View CPD Profile
  • View Questions on CPD
• iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB $27.91)
  • $27.91 P/E (TTM): 12.21X Cap: $9.92B
  • View XBB Profile
  • View Questions on XBB

Q: Thoughts on CPD for the coming year? How much more volatile is than XBB. Trying to understand how it fits into my portfolio between equities and bonds,

Upvote 3

Read Answer Asked by Joe on January 08, 2026

• BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB $27.59)
  • $27.59 P/E (TTM): 13.18X
  • View ZWB Profile
  • View Questions on ZWB
• Global X Equal Weight Canadian Bank Covered Call ETF (BKCC $18.00)
  • $18.00 P/E (TTM): 15.2X Cap: $352M
  • View BKCC Profile
  • View Questions on BKCC

Q: Which would you prefer and why? Is there any need to hold both?
Thanks

Upvote 2

Read Answer Asked by Tom on January 08, 2026

Q: 5i. Can you comment on a Direct indexing portfolio offered by Wealth Simple. You can choose Canadian or US. It includes tax loss harvesting.With a few of .15% Any thought thoughts appreciated.Thanks Larry

Upvote 4

Read Answer Asked by Larry on January 08, 2026

• iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF (XDV $43.92)
  • $43.92 P/E (TTM): 13.76X Cap: $2.41B
  • View XDV Profile
  • View Questions on XDV
• iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI $37.83)
  • $37.83 P/E (TTM): 14.1X Cap: $3.86B
  • View XEI Profile
  • View Questions on XEI
• iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF (CDZ $44.40)
  • $44.40 P/E (TTM): 17.7X Cap: $1.18B
  • View CDZ Profile
  • View Questions on CDZ
• Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY $70.98)
  • $70.98 P/E (TTM): 12.53X Cap: $7.57B
  • View VDY Profile
  • View Questions on VDY
• iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF (XDIV $41.97)
  • $41.97 P/E (TTM): 16.22X Cap: $5.07B
  • View XDIV Profile
  • View Questions on XDIV

Q: Would you please recommend some high dividend ETF for low risk. It can be either only Canadian stocks or mixed with US and Canada. May thanks

Upvote 13

Read Answer Asked by kwokwai on January 08, 2026

• iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI $58.17)
  • $58.17 P/E (TTM): 26.09X Cap: $6.88B
  • View MCHI Profile
  • View Questions on MCHI

Q: Happy New Year to all of you at 5I. What are your thoughts on MCHI? I've owned it for a while and it has done nada. China is an export juggernaut with a domestic market in a shambles. The real estate vortex continues. Would India offer better prospects than China, at this time and for say a three to five year hold. Or, back to Japan? I want some exposure to Asia but what say you? Many thanks

al

Upvote 2

Read Answer Asked by alex on January 08, 2026