Investment Q&A

Q: Hi guys, appreciate all you do.
My wife and I have a mutual fund though our bank and we want to pull it out (about $20,000) to invest it in some ETFs then continue to invest in them monthly as our main retirement savings. Our timeframe is 20-25 years. Which ones do you recommend, and how many, for max growth/good diversification?

Second part- if we don't have the credits feel free to leave this question out.
We are new to this world of investing but over the last few months we have noticed 2 distinct "camps". What is your opinion on this?
Camp 1: Investing in high quality, undervalued, dividend paying stocks is better than ETFs because you won't be inadvertently buying stocks that are overvalued or buying some losers
Camp 2: Don't bother trying to pick stocks at all because you can never beat the index. Investing in EFTs/index funds is less risky and will yield greater returns over time.

Q: On 01 Feb. 2021 Dow Jones Indices made changes to the S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index. CHP.UN. OR, and RNW were dropped from that index.
I own CHP.UN and RNW. Will being dropped from the index likely have any material effect on those holdings going forward?

Thank you,
IslandJohn

Q: A few questions re best index ETFs for safety, total return and tax efficiency:
(1) S&P/TSX 60 (unregistered account): Is XIU, XIC or another ETF better?
(2) S&P 500 (RRSP/TFSA): What CAN listed ETF is best for long hold: ZSP, XSP or other ETF? If held in an RRSP (ie US dividend tax except), can you recommend the best US listed ETF for the S&P 500?
(3) NASDAQ 100 (RRSP/TFSA): What CAN listed ETF is best: ZNQ, ZQQ or another ETF? Is QQQ the best US listed?
(4) Ex-North America index (RRSP): Can you list the best CAN listed ETF index fund? Would you stick with large caps or all? XEF? VIU?
(5) Emerging market index ETFs (RRSP): ZEM, VEE or other?
(6) MISC: Has HXT, HXS and HXQ permanently resolved gov't issues and are these ETFs safe for long term hold?
Thank you!!

Q: My RSP is comprised of VFV, VIU, CLF but I like the concept of the auto rebalancing of VGRO. However the longer duration bonds in VGRO are concerning. Would you make the switch. Conventional wisdom says bonds are going to be destroyed going forward, when monetary tightening eventually happens.
And by the way my 2020 5i account return was 16%. You guys Rock!!
Thanks

Q: Thanks for all your good advice.
I have set up In Trust Accounts for my grandchildren invested equally in HXS and HXT - to avoid tax implications to me. However, due to the swap change introduced Nov 2019 and effective in 2020 - I have been issued T5008 slips seemingly indicating capital gains as a result of the swaps. Is this just for record purposes or is there a need to account for this at tax time?
Thanks

Q: In a rising interest rate environment, would VGG as a dividend growth ETF face more headwinds than VFV?

Thanks.

Q: According to my very superficial analysis ARKK and ARKW have at least 6 stocks of the major holdings that are held by both funds: TSLA,ROKU,SQ,TDOC,PSTG and SPOT. Is owning both necessary?Is there enough of a difference? Thanks.

Q: I'm trying to understand the risk/reward on VXX. I know it's an ETN trying to mimic the VIX through futures. Where VXX/VIX are right now and based on history I see downside risk in 2021 of something like 20% and upside of more than 100%. The chances are good that we have a normal correction sometime in the next year. Am I missing something?

Q: Good morning, Besides PAYF writing covered calls to enhanced yield, would there be enough difference in correlation in invest in both of these investments, or too much overlap, thanks?

Q: I am interested in copper- is there still upside do you think, or has it had its' run? is the etf COPX a good way to play this, or is teck or hudbay maybe a better alternative? Thank you!

Q: Thank you for answering my question comparing ARKK with QQQJ/EDGW. Somehow it seems to have been flagged as Private! Didn't mean to mark as private. Please feelfree to unflag it!
Your answer as always has been consistent. You favoured ARKK. Thanks.
But this is an extension of that question. I know you don't get into asset allocation! Let me try anyway in the following manner!
If someone is ready to invest 100k, 3 to 5 years, high risk tolerance, what would be % you would allocate in each of the ARK funds?

Q: How safe is the etf
Is this a good way for short term savings
And how is the income taxed
Thanks
Sam

Q: I want to hold IWO and SPY etf's, I am a canadian resident.
Are there any tax, exchange rate implications for me in holding these ( or any other US stocks )?

If yes, then suggest a equivalent Canadian ETF.

Q: in TFSA account, what is the tax implication if buying Canadian listed EFT investing in US listed stocks? is there any witholding tax ?

Q: Morning:
Any opinions on this ETF as a source for income??
Thanks,
Greg.

Q: Hi, I currently have a BMO monthly income Mutual fund. I wish to replace it with an etf to reduce the fees. I am looking for an etf that pays monthly income, has the potential for some growth and a low mer. You have been a proponent of XTR before but would like to see if there are any others you think might be worth while. Maybe zmi. If you can suggest a canadian etf and an international etf that has some good diversification in different sectors.
Thanks

Q: I currently own XAW and XTR in my RRSP and looking to add some more Canadian ETFs/stocks for diversification. Have about 20 year time frame. Can you please recommend some?

Q: Are the following ETFs sufficiently diversified to form a balanced-growth portfolio of $100K - ZAG 25%, QEF 15%, WXM 20% and XAW 40 %. If not, what would you recommend?

Q: TD Webbroker indicates that the etf HMMJ pays a 4.2% dividend. Where does the money come from to do this since their top 10 holdings, comprising 88% of their portfolio, pay next to nothing in dividends?

Q: I know about covered calls and possible loss of capital gains but at a 11.4% dividend I think it makes up for it. Life insurance companies should be safe and the 5 year chart looks enticing . Knowing that the underlying dividends would be around 4 to 5 % they are earning a lot for the calls, is this sustainable or am I missing something here.