Investment Q&A

Q: Can you please recommend what you believe is currently the best Canadian dividend ETF for monthly income and relative stability in this unstable market. You have recommended XEI in the past, but it has about about 11% more Energy stocks compared to ZDV, although XEI does have 5% less financials. I am looking for a long term hold for income in retirement. Thanks, Grant

Q: Taking the following statement at its face value, does that make a case for increasing exposure to covered call ETFs for a retired person looking to income?

"Unfortunately, some of Wall Street’s top forecasters warn that stocks at current prices amid the gloomy economic backdrop are likely to deliver lackluster average returns for years."

Thank you

Q: Looking at these two ETF's what is the major difference besides price? I see the MER is higher on XWD not sure which is bigger and I assume XWD has canada in it as well unlike the XAW. Can you give me your opinion on this and which you think is better long term buy and forget.
Thanks

Q: Hello 5i: Thank you for holding our hands during this difficult time, it is much appreciated. I ask about the Mawer funds, in particular 104, 150, 102. I hold these funds in a RRIF and as all above purchase price I ask if you would keep these funds or are there vehicles that have more potential upside? Thank you Barb

Q: Hi Gentleman,
I currently have a portfolio that I do not need to access for 10 years. Currently I have MFC4644 - $100K, XWD - $160K, ZLU - $190K and VGRO - $220K. Would you make any adjustments or other suggestions to my current holdings.
Thank you,
SF

Q: IF and that is a big IF we have all missed the bottom on American larger caps should I be now focusing on US small caps and International markets? When I look at SPY and VIG all th money has jumped into American large caps and more or less erased the huge loss and pairs back some of my gains from 2019...so huge collapse gone...for now. I've topped up some VIG but missed on SPY. When I look at US small caps they are lagging and I assume this is due to the higher risk and lower volume, Same story for Europe, International and emerging markets. So my question is should I be shifting to adding IWO, XEF, and VE. I need to add some international content to my portfolio anyways as I am a bit light at 12% international ( developed) and 10% emerging markets. If you agree or don't strongly disagree what ETFs do you recommend right now ( I already hold the one mentioned). I am leaning toward a bit of IWO and larger positions in VE and XEF.

5 year window, high but slowly lowering risk tolerance, Balanced portfolio follower ( shifting slowly to income follower), overweight canada (40%) and US(40%) ,

Q: Hi 5i,

Thank you for the great work. Gold seems to be emerging as a key theme right now. Currently I have a full position in Franco-Nevada. Looking to add further exposure and wondering if you would:

1. Add to FNV
2. Add position in any miners you recommend
3. Add XGD

Thank you in advance!

Q: Hi,
I am wondering if there are any any tail hedging strategies available to the common investor. As an example Universa has an insurance product which uses tail hedging strategies where one invests about 3% of their portfolio which practically produces a zero return during normal times but during times when unforeseen events or sudden crashes happen they produce phenomenal returns..I believe such products are only available to institutional investors. Thank you very much. Regards,
Shyam

Q: Over the last few months I have become concerned about the stock market and have sold most of my holdings and now sit on a large cash position. Do you have any suggestions for parking money other than GIC's? Thanks, Bill

Q: Due to the current pandemic situation and how medication to treat infected people and a future vaccine, do you see biotech as an area of investment opportunities? If so, can you suggest an ETF that represents the companies involved.
Many thanks

Q: Is the only difference between these funds is one is hedged and the other non hedged.

Why do you prefer non hedged and if so what are the reasons?

And is the a BMO product similar to hxq?

Q: My daughter is 27 years old and is looking to invest around $35,000 as her first investment. She is considering investing 40% in Canadian equities (ZLB, PDC, and XRE), 50% in US Equities (VUS and DXU), and 10% in International Equities (FCIQ and VEE).

As an initial investment, does this balance seem reasonable or would you have other recommendations? Is this sufficiently diversified or are there too many funds?

Thank you!

Q: I currently hold VVL ETF since all the stocks down. Will this ETF change holdings and how often do they balance.

Thanks for the great service

Q: Good afternoon. Buy and hold investor. Currently hold 20% XUU, 15% VIU, 5% VEE in portfolio as my non-Canadian equity holdings. What would the pros and cons be of selling them and putting it all in to XAW, and would you recommend such a move? I only re-balance once a year as it is. Thanks for your reply.

Q: I have 180,000 to invest in etfs
With exposer to fang stocks
What would you sugges
Thanks Mike b

Q: Hello team,
please help me on this, compare these two ETFs, with size spread; returns; fees; and so on.. if only one to go with, which one and why? please confirm they are NON Hedged, as I DO stay with US currency

Thanks

Q: Is there any Etf for groceries industry in Canada or USA that you would recommend. If none do you recommend any stocks in Canada.

Thanks for the great service

Q: Hi Team
If you had 180,000 to invest in ETF’s right now
What would they be?
Great job team
Thanks Mike B

Q: HI Team
I see that Auspice has warned investors about buying this unit, since it winds up may 22 and it is trading way above it's net asset value, trading about $5 and net asset value about $ 2.50, would not shorting the stock at this price be a good move. I understand it is a gamble, but as long as oil dosn't move up in a big way, it's a "sure bet"
Thanks

Q: Hello 5i,

I have about 30k in some terrible mutual funds (don’t ask) but would like to keep it simple and put this into one ETF without concern to sectors or risk. I know they are very new but are you able to comment on DXN or DXW? I’m also looking as DXG and DXF. And an advisor recommended moving some money into DYN800 – is there any good reason for an investor to put money into this fund? Please take as many credits as you see fit.

Thanks for this great service.
John