Investment Q&A

Q: These two etf's have to be part of the near future in driving of auto's. Both hold a nice a nice mix of good companies and had nice returns in the past year. What is your opinion of this investment, and the risks?
Thanks again

Q: Would appreciate your comments on these two funds with respect to investment strategy, costs and any other considerations. Thanks, Brian

Q: Hello,
I was wondering if there are any tax implications of purchasing STPL and making it part of my TFSA account. This ETF does hold US companies. Will their be any tax withholdings because it is part of my TFSA even if the ETF is Canadian?

Thanks in advance.

Q: Recently, a number of firms have brought out All-in-One ETFs, such as VEQT. If an investor wishes to be 100% invested, and diversified globally, then this ETF offers the advantage of rebalancing to the ETF's geographic weightings. These All-in-One ETFs are overweight Canada given global market capitalizations.

In contrast, there are ETFs offering similar low fees which represent the market capitalization of all global equities, such as XWD or VXC (w/o Canada). These ETFs are effectively rebalancing to reflect the global market capitalizations.

For a long-term hold, which investment do you feel will do better? Is an investor better off choosing say VEQT, or VXC? These two ETFs have similar ETFs. Is there a better alternative which you would recommend?

Your insights are much appreciated and valued. Thank-you.

Q: Hello,
Given the recent announcement of that new SE Asia trading block, should one consider increasing and overweighting VEE or XEC, or another Intl ETF? Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i,
I a question on Sunday which hasn't been answered so I will try again. In a recent article which you generously shared with us on Nov 13, entitled, "You May Regret Staying in US Stocks" the author says that a good number of US investment managers are in agreement that for various reasons, US stocks will not be growing as fast as international stocks in the future. I was wondering whether you agree with this thesis? Also, do you think that the etf"s mentionned above will cover what is needed, or should I look at others? I will not be going out and selling all of my US stocks if this thesis is correct. But, I am low on my international section anyway. But, I have been hesitant to add to them.
thanks very much

Q: Presently have VEE and XEF and would be interested in one more International ETF, what would be your pick
Thanks

Q: Good morning. I am interested in an ETF is this sector. Can be be US or Cdn issued. ZWK loooks interesting but very small and new. Any other viable suggestions. Thanks

Q: Hello 5i,
Two questions (or maybe its three...) this morning so please deduct points accordingly (all arising out of Portfolio Analytics indicating I need to increase my US exposure and also my tech and health care holdings - all of which I'd like to do while staying on the TSX).
First regarding tech, each of TXF or TXF.B appear on their face to be promising investments, for their distributions if nothing else. Although the MERs are a little high, and net asset values and volumes are low, are there reasons why a buy and hold (3 to 5 years) in either is not a wise choice? And if a buy is warranted, the hedged or the unhedged?
Second, regarding health care I'm looking at HHL and HIG and would appreciate your thoughts on their comparative merits - and also to be told if you think either or both are best kept away from - again with a 3 to 5 year hold in mind.
As a wrap to all the above, if you think the ETFs I've asked about are best avoided for the 3 to 5 year term I've got in mind, can you offer some alternatives?
And finally just a comment: Portfolio Analytics has really allowed me to step back and get a much better objective look at my investments which had gotten spread all over the board and need some discipline, and has given me both the tools and the confidence to structure them (I think and hope!) securely and profitably.
Very glad I found you. I gave a year of 5i to my son recently and I hope he uses it a lot - did you get that Geoffrey?
Thanks for everything.
Peter

Q: My son who is 42 is opening a TFSA. He is getting a late start at investing as he has been emloyed overseas for most of his working life. He has asked me to help him. I am wondering if ETF's would be the best way to start. If so what would you suggest for seomeone his age. Also if he started with equities what would you suggest as well?

Q: hello 5i team
i just read one of the articles you recommended to us stating that the consensus amongst money managers is that European stocks will do better than US stocks in the coming years. they give various reasons for this view. i was wondering what your thoughts were on this thesis. i am a little light on foreign equities but have been a bit hesitant to add any. But now i am rethinking this. if you see this as more or less an accurate perception of the investing reality today would you think that the etf’s mentionned would provide the coverage needed?
as always thanks for your expertise

Q: Hey there,
All of these etfs pay good dividends for a retiree. Can you compare/contrast the risks associated with each and in particular, and is there any compelling reason to switch to VRIF?

Thanks

Q: Hi, if I hold ZDV, VDY or XIC in a TFSA are there any tax implications whatsoever. Do I need to keep track of ACB? Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i team,
The market is seeing a rotation from tech into more value with Dow Jones going up and NASDQ dropping. To capture this sector rotation, which Canadian traded ETFs would you recommend for US companies? Would it be Dow Jones focused ETFs or value focused ETFs that will see the most gain in the next 12 months?
Please list your top picks for each. Thanks.

Q: what are some renewable energy etfs

Q: My 40-year-old daughter has $42K in her RRSPs with Scotia Bank. Her advisor put her in two funds. BSN378 and BSN385. One is 45% invested in basically bonds and 40 Canadian stocks. The other is 12.3 % cash and 47 Canadian stocks. The exception is 2% invested in Microsoft. I assume there is a lot of duplication between the two funds investing in the same Canadian Companies. The MER is close to 2%. Apart from this being a travesty - I would like to move her into a self administered RRSP with a mix of a balanced ETF and three other stocks. She is regularly adding more money. She won't be withdrawing money from this account for at least 25 years.

Would you kindly suggest a suitable balanced ETF.

The three stocks I would suggest for a long term hold would be BAM, SHOP and ENB. Could I have your opinion or options please. Deduct as many questions as you see fit.

THANK YOU!
Bryan

Q: Hi 5i, please advise on the following:
Q1 - What are the pros and cons of purchasing US ETF on the US exchange (VTI) vs buying on TSX (VUN) other than lower fees?
Q2 - Pros and Cons of buying hedged ETF vs. non-hedged.
Q3 - My daughter has her ESPP in a non-registered plan with a large US company. She is wondering if it makes sense to sell the shares and repurchase from her TFSA. The idea is to pay a smaller capital gains tax now and accrue future gains tax free. Going forward, she would sell each addition (2x/yr) and repurchase from her TFSA within days (assuming each sale generates a gain, the shift in price between sell date and repurchase date is minimal and she has complied with the holding period). Your thoughts?

Thanks very much,
Rosemin

Q: Could you share your thoughts on including Van Eck's ETF - China Bonds (CBON) as part of my 40% allocation in a US portfolio.

Q: Dear 5i,

can you please suggest/recommend some Global Equity ETF's available on the Canadian Exchange which have a value focus/tilt. I am very happy to read more about these but, the only one I could think of is VVL by Vanguard. Thanks!

Q: I have about 8 grand of my portfolio allocated for these 2 ETFS. Just wondering how you would weight them. For a 20 year hold. Maybe lean toward Japan as they are more allied with the US, but then again Japan is drowning under Debt.
thanks

XEF = Japan, UK, France, Switzerland, Germany,
XEC = China, Taiwan, Korea, Brazil, India