Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

I would like to add an ETF/Split Share that provides a diversified REIT focus. I am also desiring income / over growth. One such ETF/Split Share is Real Estate Split Corp – RS. Are there others that could be considered and if so how would you rank each, including RS?

Thanks Len

Q: Can you recommend Canadian based etfs that tracks American banks and/or insurance companies. Which would you recommend? Any with covered calls? Thank you.

Q: Is this ETF some kind of scam? How can it possibly continue to offer a 20% plus yield? And if the yield is so high won't the price just continue to drop? And what version would be better: ETHY or ETHY.B?

Thanks

Q: I'm considering transferring some funds from a TD e-series fund (European focus) to ZXM - as it seems to offer good diversification outside North America .
Your advice requested.

Q: My question is regarding the posted returns of ETFs and Mutual Funds. I thought I read, years ago, that MF returns included the dividends for anything over 1 year...for example, for 3 and 5 year returns. For the posted 1 year return or less, they were without the dividend.

In my RBC Direct Investing, it is quite clear....it states the "unrealized capital gain". So I take that number, divide by the time I've owned the security...then add the annual dividend to get the Total Return/Year.

So, can you please clarify whether the standard practice is to include or exclude the dividends in the posted annual returns?

Thanks....Steve

Q: Thanks 5I team for helping us make better decision every day. With a long term Horizon of 3 year plus what is your number 1 ETF recommendation for International exposure (Ex Canada and US). Looking for value and growth, not much concerned about income/distributions. In the same line the top recommendation of International stock. As per Portfolio analysis I am very low on International.

Q: What are your thoughts on Real Asset funds? TD is pushing Greystone. If such funds are okay, would you recommend one? Thanks again.

Q: Following up to your answer to Michael this morning, EQRR appears to have a total asset value of only about US$11 million. Is that a concern?
Thank you.

Q: I have full positions in banks: Scotia, TD, and a US bank, European bank and South American bank. They all pay generous dividends, and are doing well.
I worry about fintechs ultimately eroding their strengths. Can you recommend an ETF focussed on fintechs?

John

Q: Stan Wong recommended EQRR as a good holding during rising interest rates. What is your opinion of this etf?

Thanks very much,

Mike

Q: I'm interested in increasing my exposure to markets outside North America and have found that several ETFs cover the same "usual suspects." ZXM seems to provide exposure to a wider variety of international stocks. Your advice?

Q: I am extremely low in International and US stocks, I would like to have an ETF for each that I can put in either my RRSP or TFSA. I know you have mentioned in the past that you like IWO for small caps, is that still the case or is there a better choice.
Thanks for all the excellent help

Q: What Canadian ETF would you recommend that follows the S&P 500 index. Of your top choice please suggest a hedged and unhedged ETF and which would you recommend, hedged or unhedged. Is your recommendation solely based on the ETFs MER. Thanks … Cal

Q: Hi,
Relying on the adage that there are "no stupid questions", can you confirm that the principal is guaranteed in PSA? I couldn't find that explicitly stated anywhere, other than the statement that there is no lock-up, which means something else to me.

Thanks
Robert

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?

Q: Can I purchase VGRO commission free? And if not what do you consider a good alternative that would be commission free ?

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.

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

Q: MY pf is low in the materials sector and my diversification is low on international side.

I am considering ETF's as a means of flushing both out and wondered if you had two or three that you would recommend . . . from Canadian to international.

Q: Would you have a recommendation for an ETF that is similar to ZMT that has more volume?