Investment Q&A

Q: After reviewing your response to my question on Porsche, I also looked up VW. I understand VW is expected soon to become the world’s largest maker of EVs. I then stumbled into the ETF "CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund" (not in your data base). CARZ includes Japanese, German, and American automakers ( unfortunately not not parts and other suppliers).

I am light on industrials. Would CARZ be an attractive addition? If capital would be better used elsewhere, I would appreciate your alternate suggestions very much.

Q: Morgan Stanley just issued a warning that the “commodity-type” semiconductor companies (DRAM and other) have entered late-cycle. MS adds that earnings going forward for such companies will be challenged. I hold more than a full allocation in semis once I include semiconductor securities held directly.

My question is on SOXX which is held in a taxable account. What components in, and what percent of, SOXX would be considered DRAM and other commodity-type companies? Would I be correct in thinking if the percentage of the said commodity-type companies is higher than 15% , it would be best to trim? (I would not be trimming securities that are held directly).

Q: EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF seems to be losing much ground in the last month. I am wondering if I missed something significant on her economy or the related geopolitics. Would you care to comment on what is going on that affects EWY much more adversely than SPY:US. It does not appear that exchange rate was part of the reason, but I may have miscalculated Forex.

EWY has a heavy concentration in Samsung and Samsung-related entities, companies that one would likely be happy to own— or would you disagree? Would this be a good time to add? If yes , would you add to EWY or buy FLKR instead (and why please). Thanks.

Q: I bought this late 2018 when working with a Nesbitt Burns advisor. I have been very happy with the 2019 and 2020 results (gains of 44.68% and 92% respectively in those years). Fund focus and holdings seems to have changed this year and I am not impressed. Gain of 0.53% year to date. MER is high. Is it time to sell this one in 2 accounts and move on? One is held in RESP with a short horizon now. One is in a non registered account. Do you have replacement suggestions for growth, either equities or ETF.

Q: Hi Guys
Can you comment on the ETF " FRDM"
this etf seems interesting, in their unique approach in terms of the countries that are selected .
Thanks!

Q: Do you any recommendations for a "safe" dividend paying equity or ETF in USD? Also, are there any tax efficient options? Thanks.

Q: Hello Team. What is your assessment of this etf as part of a fixed income allocation for a RIF. It has a 3.9% yield and with the threat of inflation it sounds good but would rising interest rates negate its inflation protection best regards gary

Q: If one wanted to add some exposure to Bitcoin or crypto currency in a portfolio what would your suggestions be?

Q: Investing in high yield securities involves assuming the accompanying risks of course ... One can own an individual stock like ENB, a covered call ETF like QYLD or even a mortgage backed security company like NLY . Looking on RA's website it appears the major holdings are 40% global infrastructure and 38% real estate with a mixture of investments to make up the balance . I recently read an article on Seeking Alpha which called it a " Widows and orphans " security which kind of shocked me for such a high yielding stock ..... Could you give me a comparison of RA's price movement in comparison to the S&P 500 since inception ? An assessment of the risks in comparison to the three securities I have mentioned ? As well as a breakdown of how 5I views their investment strategy ? ...... { in the normal font size if possible }

Q: Why the strong differences in type of assets (cash) held between ZPAY and ZWC? Are they not trying to do much the same thing?
And would you remind me of the tax implications on ZPAY dividends when held in a RIF
With thanks

Q: FRDM-NYSE - FREEDOM 100 EMERGING MARKETS ETF

I like the looks of this ETF.
It seems to provide a good compliment to my VWO.
However, do you have any opinion?

Q: I'm wondering which of these two ETFs you would recommend for a TFSA
Thank you

Q: Please rate these Europe ETF's in order of your best choices. VGK; ZEQ; XEH; XEU; VE.

Q: Hi group I am light on Health care + Manufacturing stocks what are your top 3 recommendations in both stocks / ETFs and why Thanks for your guidance

Q: Do you know of an ETF that specializes in industrial REITs? I think warehousing and distribution centres will continue to be a growth business. Would you agree?

Thank you.

Q: I have 2 American Equity mutual funds: BTG105 and MAW108 in an RRSP. I also own the ETF VFV. Performance wise BTG105 has lagged MAW108 and VFV in the last 6 months, 1 yr, 3 yr, 5yr, and 10 yr periods, so I will sell it. But should I replace it with MAW108 or VFV?

MAW108 appears to have outperformed VFV in the last 3 yr, 5yr and 10 yr periods, while VFV outperformed MAW108 in the last 1 yr.

Can you rank these 3, best to worst?

Would you replace BTG105 and MAW108 with VFV (and consolidate all 3 into 1), or keep both MAW108 and VFV for US equity exposure?

Thanks,
Paul

Q: My husband and I are in our early 60’s. We do not have a company income. The bulk of our assets are in my RRSP and LIRA accounts.
We are converting his RRSP to a RRIF and my LIRA to a LIF this year and waiting until I am 65 to convert my RRSP so we can take advantage of pension splitting.
We are conservative investors and just want to keep up with inflation.
Would you please suggest a few ETF’s for diversification and a few income ETF’s for our LIF, RRIF and my RRSP accounts. If there are stocks you would would like to include that would be appreciated. Thank you.

Q: I have been planning to invest in emerging markets. They might represent good valuations compared to the overall marketplace. A friend recommended FRDM as an ETF. Would you have any other suggestions as far as ETF go.
Thank you.

Q: Hello, I have the Mackenzie fund mfc244 that has done very well for me over the years and pays me a nice dividend every month. Is the a cdn etf that would be comparable in performance and payout but would have a much lower mer? Thanks

Q: Good Afternoon 5i,
After reading the recent edition of your ETF newsletter, I am inclining to invest a bit directly in China. I already hold VWO but, after reading the well reasoned and written article of yours, I may want a direct, China only etf. Especially now that Chinise stocks have been hammered. Although i am a long term investor, I thought I might capitalise on this fall of Chinese stocks. I think it is most prominent in the technology sector. For that reason I am leaning towards KWEB rather than MCHI. But, when I read the article I see that three of the top ten holdings in both are Tencent, Alibaba and Meitvan, with a similar weighting. Although 63 percent of Kweb and 44 percent of MCHI are the weights for the top ten holdings. That is a difference but it doesn't seem like a lot. So, it looks to me that I get a pretty good cut of the technology stocks in MCHI, as well as more safety. I am therefore leaning in that direction. But, I am tempted by a tech comeback, where I might make a bit more with KWEB. I know it comes down to personal decision. But, I have a bit of trouble understanding how big a difference there would be between the two in a tech comeback. So, I thought I would ask the professionals how you would look at this?
thanks for all your great work