Investment Q&A

• Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL $38.66)
  • $38.66 P/E (TTM): 6.89X Cap: $5.27B
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• Vanguard Growth ETF Portfolio (VGRO $45.92)
  • $45.92 P/E (TTM): 10.85X Cap: $9.84B
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Q: I am getting older and I am trying to simplify my accounts in case my wife or daughter have to take over for whatever reason. I am moving to VBAL and VGRO as all in one type ETFs to make that happen. My question is about taxing: how are these viewed by the CRA?

Upvote 2

Read Answer Asked by Wayne on January 13, 2026

• BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZLC $14.92)
  • $14.92 Cap: $294M
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• BMO Short Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZCS $13.92)
  • $13.92 Cap: $4.21B
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Q: Hello 5i Guys

I have GIC maturing soon and looking for substitute as rates are too low.

I've looked at ZCS and ZLC as replacement.

I understand Bond funds are not without risk compared to GCI

But do these 2 Bonds funds look like suitable (Low Risk) investments rather than a low rate GIC?

Thanks as ever
Ken

Upvote 4

Read Answer Asked by Kenneth on January 13, 2026

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 $24.57)
  • $24.57 Cap: $78M
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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 $13.66)
  • $13.66 Cap: $12.17B
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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 $14.63)
  • $14.63 Cap: $48M
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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 $92.11)
  • $92.11 P/E (TTM): 40.15X Cap: $8.09B
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• BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged To CAD Index ETF (ZQQ $196.68)
  • $196.68 P/E (TTM): 32.57X Cap: $3.16B
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• Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF (VIU $48.11)
  • $48.11 P/E (TTM): 1.18X Cap: $10.26B
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• Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD $39.60)
  • $39.60 P/E (TTM): 193.9X Cap: $1.24B
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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 $13.84)
  • $13.84 P/E (TTM): 31.69X Cap: $680M
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• Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Covered Call ETF (QQCL $26.45)
  • $26.45 P/E (TTM): 34.11X Cap: $351M
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• JPMorgan US Equity Premium Income Active ETF (JEPI $24.52)
  • $24.52 P/E (TTM): 26.37X Cap: $345M
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• JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income Active ETF (JEPQ $28.10)
  • $28.10 P/E (TTM): 31.92X Cap: $181M
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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 $12.59)
  • $12.59 Cap: $123M
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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 $66.71)
  • $66.71 P/E (TTM): 13.17X Cap: $5.23B
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• TD Canadian Equity Index ETF (TTP $39.46)
  • $39.46 P/E (TTM): 0.68X Cap: $5.85B
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• Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV $179.96)
  • $179.96 P/E (TTM): 26.01X Cap: $31.45B
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• Vanguard Global Dividend Fund Series F (VIC200 $17.26)
  • $17.26 P/E (TTM): 11.5X
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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 $24.22)
  • $24.22 P/E (TTM): 19.79X Cap: $739M
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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 $111.04)
  • $111.04 P/E (TTM): 25.58X Cap: $23.26B
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• iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC $54.77)
  • $54.77 P/E (TTM): 18.47X Cap: $29.09B
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• Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY $71.65)
  • $71.65 P/E (TTM): 12.53X Cap: $7.57B
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• Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGG $106.71)
  • $106.71 Cap: $2.36B
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• Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VIDY $44.90)
  • $44.90 P/E (TTM): 9.92X Cap: $1.83B
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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 $337.16)
  • $337.16 P/E (TTM): 51.26X Cap: $3.91B
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• Powell Industries Inc. (POWL $308.05)
  • $308.05 P/E (TTM): 20.09X Cap: $10.73B
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• Vistra Corp. (VST $146.87)
  • $146.87 P/E (TTM): 67.76X Cap: $50.01B
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• Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG $293.60)
  • $293.60 P/E (TTM): 41.03X Cap: $93.89B
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• Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO $32.63)
  • $32.63 P/E (TTM): 36.54X Cap: $468M
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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 $18.03)
  • $18.03 P/E (TTM): 15.2X Cap: $352M
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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 $14.06)
  • $14.06 P/E (TTM): 6.96X Cap: $1.07B
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• iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB $27.90)
  • $27.90 P/E (TTM): 12.21X Cap: $9.92B
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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 $27.83)
  • $27.83 P/E (TTM): 13.18X
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• Global X Equal Weight Canadian Bank Covered Call ETF (BKCC $18.03)
  • $18.03 P/E (TTM): 15.2X Cap: $352M
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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