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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: As I approach retirement I am looking at transitioning more to ETF's (Cdn, US, Europe). Traditionally my comfort level is best when I own good quality divd paying stocks (hard asset to me).
Question: with etf's such as zwh, cdz, zwp (all owned), am I actually owning a basket of stock within those funds? Or do these funds utilize levers such as forward contracts, derivatives, indexes etc (which I have very little knowledge of) to generate their returns.
If not, are their cdn/us/Europe etfs with actual holdings that you can recommend
Read Answer Asked by Harry on February 09, 2021
Q: I have never purchased an IPO of an ETF. When Ark Invest unveils its SPACE ETF in March, what strategy do you recommend ? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Norman on February 09, 2021
Q: In answer to Bruce on Jan 7 you said:
In an RRSP, we would prefer to hold US-listed ETFs due to withholding taxes on US dividends being exempt (not the case with CDN-listed ETFs).

This would mean that ZWK/CALL is not as efficient as it could be. Is there an equivalent US listed ETF that you would recommend? I am looking for an ETF that would let me drip the dividends. From your other answers I believe this type of ETF would be good in 2021: flat or slowly rising market.

Read Answer Asked by JR on February 09, 2021
Q: Hi: My daughter is self employed and puts excess profits into her TFSA, to pay herself forward. In other words she pays herself so much per month. As another big commission cheque arrives she puts that toward her future monthly income, so that no matter what happens, ie slow sales, then she is prepaying herself into the future. She has accumulated over 50K now with the $$ just sitting in a very low interest savings account and not making much in interest.
Do you have any suggestions towards putting this into a low risk ETF or Blue Chip Stock or other suggestions? If so, what percentage in each? A portion could also go into a slightly higher interest fund. Any other suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Ken ...
Read Answer Asked by Ken on February 09, 2021
Q: Good morning, what wud be the advantage for a Can.investor to buy Vanguard and iShares American Indexes ETF traded at the TSX that offers S&P500/DJA in CAD?. Is the answer that some investors want to stay in their CAD currency. But if someone has oodles of USD cash its better to buy these ETF's directly in NYSE. to avoid the money being exchanged twice. D'accord?
Art
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on February 09, 2021
Q: Is it time to start letting go of these long term bond ETF? Or do you see a role as part of a laddered portfolio? If so, what percentage of these long term bond holdings would you suggest at this point? Unless we have negative rates the only way is up? Not sure I believe that rates will be kept so low for much longer.
Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by Debrah on February 09, 2021
Q: Good evening team,
Do you have any thoughts about this new BMO ETF 'ZCLN'. Please rank any other 'Green/Renewable' ETF's that you like - both US and Canadian please.
Much appreciated, Patrick
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on February 09, 2021
Q: 2 questions: Take as many points as needed

I own VFV in all my accounts, RRSP, TFSA, Margin. It is my biggest overall holding. I know you like IWO, so I'm wondering if it would make sense to sell VFV and buy IWO, just in my TFSA account for more growth. Do you see IWO outperforming VFV? What would make it underperform?

Also, I own BFAM through your recommendation in Investor Suite. Do you see this stock doing really well if the world gets back to normal, and people need more child care services?

Thank you for all that you do.
Read Answer Asked by Ed on February 09, 2021
Q: Hi,
Could you recommend a Canadian ETF which covers international tech companies with no or very little Canadian or American content.
In the healthcare field which one would you recommend between XHC and ZUH?
Finally what is your opinion of HHL and LIFE.
Thank you. Steve
Read Answer Asked by STEVE on February 09, 2021
Q: PSYK Any thoughts on the potential for this new ETF, longer-term?
Read Answer Asked by Henry on February 09, 2021
Q: Your thoughts on ethereum. Is it likely to explode like Bitcoin. Would you invest on a speculative basis? How can one buy and sell it. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Charles on February 09, 2021
Q: Am replenishing my wife's empty TFSA with CAD.76,000 from home loan 2.95% p/a variable.
My Strategy: I believe in VGT or IYY held over many years, last 2 years MV42% +/- per 2years don't count on repeat..
Drawback : need to convert into USD plus risk currency fluctuations +/- over many years
Question: have a soft spot for ZUT as no exchange costs.
your critical reply/
Art
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on February 09, 2021
Q: Your thoughts on this Canabis play would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Austin on February 09, 2021
Q: Hi, first off Thank you for a great 2020! I had the good fortune of being mostly in cash in March last year and based on your answers to peoples questions here did very well buying stocks like BAM, LSPD, GSY, SLF, CAE, BYD to name just a few.
I'm now ready to get out my last one or two Mutual funds and would like your suggestions on ETF's that would give me similar small cap coverage as AIM5521. Could also have some international as I am low on that too.
Much thanks, Perry
Read Answer Asked by Perry on February 08, 2021
Q: I bought ZEC, ZEM & XSU Dec. 24 . They have all done very well & amount to about 7.5% of my portfolio. I wanted to add XAW &/or XMC. Should I replace XSU with XMC or keep both? Will there be too much duplication with these ETF funds? I'd appreciate your comments on these changes.Thanks ,as always. Really enjoyed your "battle of the ETF funds".
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on February 08, 2021