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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: My 25 years old son is starting a portfolio by buying all equity ETFs XSP (30%), TEC (30%), and XWD (40%) in Canadian dollars, which he intends to hold for a long time. 1. Is the selection of ETFs OK ? 2. Are there better alternatives in performance and fees? 3. Is the allocation OK? 4. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Dev on January 04, 2022
Q: I paid a lot more attention to my investment approach this year, and obviously used your service to make a lot of my decisions, slowing trying to align with the recommendations of your portfolio analysis. I currently hold 25 different stocks.

Looking back at 2021 my overall investment return was 21.41%, slightly lower than the TSX Composite Index of return of 21.74%.

I'm not unhappy with that return, obviously, but I'm wondering given my level of success if I should be simplifying my life and just moving to a few ETFs to cover appropriate geography/industries and forget about it.

This is probably a hard question for you to answer but you might have some insight.
Read Answer Asked by Alex on January 04, 2022
Q: Not a question but more detail for Dan's follow-up inquiry. It is the Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF website: https://freedometfs.com/frdm/
Read Answer Asked by Barbara on January 04, 2022
Q: Hello, Just came across this ETF and it looks like an intriguing way of investing in the EV and battery ecosystem. I note it is off its highs and wondering what you thought of this ETF. Thank you as always and Happy New Year.
Read Answer Asked by jeff on January 04, 2022
Q: I am trying to set up moderately conservative portfolio for my sister who is close to retirement. What do you think about the following portfolio: XBB 20%, CBO 10%, VBAL 15%, XIU 20%, CDZ 10%, XTR 10%, VGRO 10%, BAM 5%.

Thank you,
Milan
Read Answer Asked by Milan on January 04, 2022
Q: Dear 5i,
Is TEC ETF CAD hedged?
Does TEC ETF hold all stocks directly?
The MER for TEC is 0.39 and the MER for QQC.F is 0.26.
If one already owned 8% VFV and 10% VVL in an RRSP and wanted to increase technology exposure by 2% which one would you choose?

thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ian on January 03, 2022
Q: Hi Peter and Staff

Want some of my grandkids RESP’s getting in on FANG stocks (and apple) but obviously per share Cost of AmZN and GOOg would mean high concentrations. I believe there is an ETF that holds those stocks as a major part of their portfolio?

If so can you name it and % of its current holdings in each of FB, AAPL, AmZN , Goog and MSFT as well as any other significant holdings

Thanks for all you do
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on January 03, 2022
Q: I have had RBF7280 for a long time, since it was a PH&N Fund. Its MER is 1.43 and yield is 3.43. Would XHY be a proxy for it at a higher yield and lower MER?
If not, is there a different ETF that I could replace 7280 with?
Thanks for all you do. I sleep better during the downs now, and even better on up days.
John
Read Answer Asked by John on January 03, 2022
Q: Please indicate what ETF that Barbara was asking about. Your response to her question was today (January 3rd).
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on January 03, 2022
Q: What ETFs do you recommend for a retired senior with a company pension age 79. I am a conservative investor. How should covid developments affect my selection?
Read Answer Asked by Donald on January 03, 2022
Q: I have about 10% of my portfolio in these bond ETFs XBB 2%, CLF 4%, XSB 2%, XSH 1%, PMIF 1%. They have shown a negative performance recently with CLF down 7%. The coupon reduces the losses. Will increased interest rates improve their performance? An alternative is to reduce my exposure and buy something like BCE with a low beta and a better yield (5% +). I am 79 years old and have pension income. My portfolio is conservative holding a large proportion in banks, telecoms and utilities. I am looking for stocks, ETFs with a low beta and good yield..
Read Answer Asked by Donald on January 03, 2022
Q: FRDM This ETF is interesting in that its emerging market country selection is derived from qualitative metrics based on economic and personal freedoms. In the most recent annual report there is no exposure to certain large emerging markets countries that would score poorly on those metrics. Are you able to provide your opinion on this ETF based on investment merits? Thank you and happy holidays!
Read Answer Asked by Barbara on January 03, 2022
Q: Hi, currently holding these Cad ETFs in RSP. What would be the best equivalent ETF's to buy in the US if I were to convert my holdings to USD and buy the US ETF. Looking for equivalent exposure with lower MER, better tax efficiency, etc... I've included some of my choices, would these be the best ones to switch to? Other ETFs are welcome if I haven't listed them below. Thanks and Happy holidays, looking forward to a great 2022!

VGG to VIG
XEF to either VXUS/VEA/IEFA
VEE to VWO
ZUH to either XHC/VHT/XLV
VUN/VUS TO VOO
Read Answer Asked by Keith on January 03, 2022
Q: Good morning. I have had RBF7280 for decades. It yields 3.43% and has an MER of 1.43. Would it be comparable to XHY which has a higher yield and a lower MER? Is there another alternative that you can suggest?
I don't trade or worry very much since I started with 5i a few years ago. Thank. John
Read Answer Asked by John on January 03, 2022
Q: Yesterday eit.un announced the following special distribution of 44¢/share

"The estimated special distribution will be paid by issuance of the same class of units of the fund, and immediately thereafter, issued and outstanding units of the fund will be consolidated such that the number of issued and outstanding units of the fund will not change."

Why do they not just pay the unit holder the cash? Do I end up with more units/fewer units? Why do they do it this way?
Many Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Don on December 25, 2021
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