Investment Q&A

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?

Q: Hi Team,

I am holding some cash that I intend to hold for 12 -15 months at which time I will be closing on some real estate and will need the money. Do you have any recommendations for a safe 12-15 month hold for these funds where there is still some opportunity for a modest return?

Q: A concentrated selling of stocks in this fund could lead to a another liquidity squeeze in the general market place...is another liquidity squeeze possible in the next six months ?

Q: My daughter has $250 a month to invest I would like something that is no commission and like VGRO , what would you suggest

Q: I currently have exposure to CEW, which has an MER of 0.61% and a monthly distribution yield of 3.03%. Are there any alternatives to CEW that have a lower expense ratio and higher yield?

Q: Looking to add more financials and sell off some technology. What would your choice be for 3-5 year growth…. SLF or the more conservative ZWB? Thanks

Q: What do you think is a good entry point/price on this ETF?

Thanks

Q: What is the best etf for US small caps to take advantage of the potential increase this year in that segment?

Q: Greetings All:
With regard to a question asked on Jan 9 by Cory concerning the above I have some further inquires. If any of you had 1 million to invest and wanted to keep it simple, as stated, and wanted to be fully invested, with a good degree of security ( As much as can be expected in the stock market) would you invest it in these two funds? What % would you have in each fund, considering you were investor " X " with no strings attached? Most advisors are currently preaching that 2022 will be the year when active investing will win, considering all the expected volatility and sector rotation. Also, if the growth rout continues off and on where could you see IWO falling to? I know this is a prediction question, but considering all the items in your knowledge basket, please make a guess. Please provide some equivalent S & P 500 fund names. I notice that no one at 5-i has an interest in IWO.
Thanks as always,
BEN.

Q: I am wanting to add to my energy holdings I am looking at XEG versus NNRG which would you consider a better choice
Keith

Q: I'm entering retirement and won't be adding much more new capital to savings and so capital preservation is paramount as I look at drawing down phase in the next 6 months. Right now I am still heavily exposed to the markets with about 85% equity exposure. I want to increase the amount of safety but am concerned with the loss of purchasing power and feel the old 60/40 rule isn't adequate anymore. The big dilemma in today's environment is that there really aren't a lot of alternatives to stocks for keeping up with inflation, but this involves capital risk. What balance do you think is more appropriate in this environment? I'm thinking around 75/25 while trying to keep around 12-18 months of expenses in high interest savings so one doesn't have to sell into a down market.

Are you aware of products offered in the market that may provide returns of 5-8% while being "fairly" safe for the capital invested?

Any suggestions on perhaps bond funds that offer returns that will at least keep pace with inflation after fees without undue manageable risk for capital safety?

Looking for any ideas..preferred shares ETF's? (know there is still some capital risk here). Thank you for your help and input.