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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: Hi,

I’m a real estate investor and I love monthly distributions—HMAX and UMAX felt a lot like collecting rent. However, after realizing a significant portion of their payouts is ROC, I’m exploring alternatives that offer high dividends, low ROC, DRIP eligibility, and potential capital appreciation.

My horizon is 20+ years. Could you suggest 2–3 ETF ideas in Financials and Utilities that fit this profile in the Canadian market ideally or global.

Thanks,

Read Answer Asked by Richard on August 25, 2025
Q: Hi Team,

What are your thoughts on Fidelity Global Innovators ETF (FNN-T)?
Would you consider it a buy at the moment?

Are there any similar funds in the same category or style that you would recommend instead?

Thanks very much for your insights,

Jacques IDS
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on August 22, 2025
Q: I'm looking for an ETF that complements my VDY. In particular I'd like yield with some growth, and fairly defensive. I don't mind which is greater, yield or growth. I've spotted VIDY, and it looks good, and might complement my VDY in that it is similar but EX North America. I suppose the yield is not Div Tax Credit, so if there is a Canadian ETF that complements VDY, in the sense of holdings, I'd consider that too. But the Tax Credit is not essential, so a US complement (sold in Canada) might work also. So complementary to VDY in terms of geography or holdings would be good.
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on August 22, 2025
Q: Canada's interest rate has dropped, and bank GIC and HISA rates have followed suit. The ZLC BMO Long Corporate Bond ETF is offering a 4.83% return. Can this investment completely replace my HISA or GIC? I've previously invested a significant amount in ZLC, and with the recent dip in price, I'm considering continuing to buy more to replace my GIC and HISA ETF. I suspect this might be the last opportunity to buy bonds at a low price. I'd appreciate your insights. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Esther on August 22, 2025
Q: I have a cash account with CDN stocks and CDRs. I am retired but will not need to dip into this account for at least 5 years. I am thinking of converting all the holdings into 5 or 6 etfs, all in CDN$, to reduce my time managing this account, while still holding the probability of a reasonable amount of growth.
I have not yet started the switch over but at the moment my list is : XIU and WXM for 30% Canadian; ZSP, XQQ and FCMO for 60% US; and VE for 10% other.
The usual questions about the overall strategy, alternative/better ETFs to hold, or other suggestions.
Thanks
Elliott
Read Answer Asked by Elliott on August 21, 2025
Q: I hold HHL in my RRIF which is primarily focused on income. I am considering switching HHL to
HHLE. This would increase my income by approximately 30% on this money and allow me to keep the same list of healthcare stocks. Does this make sense; any downsides ; am I missing anything?

As an aside , I am at breakeven with HHL as the sector is under pressure from Trump and also United Healthcare has dampened the sector. But with Trump wanting lower drug prices , the companies will be going overseas to compensate for lower US revenue as witnessed by Eli Lilly raising international prices for Mounjaro.
Thanks .Derek
Read Answer Asked by Derek on August 20, 2025
Q: Hello team
with the Fed govt going into more debt , interest rate pending cut by Bank of Canada
what is going to happen to the bond funds in gneral? I do have XBB, XLB all losing some grounds
If indeed there is inflation due to the tariffs hitting the basic goods and little growth, how does it affect the bond funds?
thank you
Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on August 20, 2025
Q: I have $500,000 from sale of house that I need to park until January when I can contribute it back to my TFSA. Given the recent strong markets and the fact we are going I to seasonally weak months I don’t want to be exposed to market risk. Once back in my TFSA I will put the money to work in the markets.
I was thinking of using HSAV as the returns are by way of unit price appreciation which would be taxed more favourably than interest paid out in CASH or PSA. The unit price growth in HSAV is somewhat erratic which is a bit concerning.
Your thoughts or other suggestions.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on August 20, 2025
Q: Hello, would like to know for total returns of these ETFs (ZWC, ZWU, CNCC, HCAL, ZSP, VCN, VE, XGRO, VEQT, XBAL) which is your favorite in order for each and in which account type is each best suited for. Also please give me your number 1 top pick of all Canadian listed ETFs for each account type.

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Kim on August 18, 2025
Q: What are your thoughts on Hamiltons new ETF CDAY?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on August 18, 2025
Q: Hi 5i Team,

I'm interested in your views of buying something like UMAX using a margin account. It seems like the math works out provided a particular financial institution has a reasonable margin rate. I'm wondering if there's an angle I'm missing here. If not, is UMAX a good option for this idea? Or something else? I need more utilities and industrials in my portfolio so this would also help add to these.

Thanks as always for this wonderful service!
Lisa
Read Answer Asked by Lisa on August 18, 2025
Q: When an ETF is sold at a loss, does the loss increase because the ETF had received a Return of Capital as part of the annual distribution and you are supposed to reduce your cost by the annual ROC received? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by george on August 15, 2025
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