Investment Q&A

Q: Hi group just sold this stock (HMMJ) this am based on to many Canadian companies that are losing $ Should I buy a US based ETF to take better advantage of the US opening up on legalizing the product or just stay on the sidelines for now - what do you think ? buy some individuals or a US ETF or do not invest in the sector at all ? - Thanks for your help on this

Q: I was just sent a merger redemption notice for this fund. Should I redeem it or not?

Thanks,

Q: Hello 5i,
As I approach 70 years of age I am trying to prepare for my impending RRSP - RRIF conversion. One move I am considering is to move VIG over a period of years from my RRSP to my TFSA. The rationale is that it is a relatively low dividend stock but the capital appreciation is huge - I am currently up about 76% - and this means the increase in VIG value affects my minimum withdrawal required each year while contributing relatively little in the way of dividend income to cover the mandated minimum withdrawals.
One note - for the past several years we have been taking our TFSA contributions from our RRSP's but seem to always end up with a tax refund anyway, so we are not so concerned with the tax issue on that front.
So, to the question (finally): do you see any problems at all in such a move for VIG or any other U.S. ETF or Global ETF? The withholding tax on U.S. holdings in the TFSA is not an issue. Any other comments or suggestions?
Many thanks!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: what would be some great investments if we were to have a really hard drought all across North America this spring summer and fall ? thanks

Q: I own a fully position in IWN - with what's been going on lately with sector rotation (Growth verses value) should i see half the position and buy IWO (growth) or sell the entire position in IWN and buy IWM (both growth and value) ?

Second question I own significant holdings in WEF (overweight) WFG (1/2 position) and lastly Canfor (Full Position) My question is is it time to exit hold or reduce as lumber prices cannot stay at the present level forever?? (your comment please) maybe even sell some WEF some and go with a big house builder or even Lowes (I already own Home depot ) your guidance is appreciated

Q: 5 i's recommended vehicle for those interested in the bit coin investment opportunity appears to be BTCC.
GLXY , that appears to have been on the same scene since Oct 2018 has seen little price movement until recently but has now broken out to the upside.
How are these two investments different?
How do they compare as far as risk?
Is it too late to add to a position in GLXY or best to just allow BTTC the same opportunity to develop?
Your wise counsel has paid off handsomely in the past and is much appreciated!!!

Q: I am a very disgruntled customer after seeing my seeing my rrsp account (ETF STOCK NAME REMOVED) go from a gain to a loss due a notional payment/distribution (AKA phantom payment) causing my adjusted cost base to increase by $1.24. If my account wouldn't have shown a loss I wouldn't have picked up on this. After talking to your help line I am even more dissatisfied.
What is a notional payment?
It is a distribution declared by a fund or trust where no cash is paid to unit holders, but is considered taxable at the time it is declared. Notional payments are declared to avoid paying taxes on income earned within a fund or trust, but where the fund manager does not wish to deplete the resources of the fund or trust by paying distributions in cash. Notional distributions, sometimes called “phantom distributions” are taxable in the year declared, and will increase the adjusted cost base (ACB) of the security. You can usually identify a notional payment by looking for a TXPDDV payment, followed by a DRIP debit, for 0 shares.
If I understood what (ETF COMPANY NAME REMOVED) is doing with these so called distributions I would have never bought the etf as it makes such a small interest rate and then my adjusted cost base goes up by $1.24 by this phantom distribution causing a loss in(ETF STOCK NAME REMOVED). I am better off keeping cash in my account than holding (ETF STOCK NAME REMOVED).
This practice of passing on phantom distributions and causing losses to customers seems like a sneaky under handed way to pass on costs to keep your MER lower. I have lost trust in (COMPANY NAME REMOVED) ETF's.

Q: Hello. Looking at buying US cannabis ETF. But, I see this under MSOS Holdings:

BlackRock Liquidity Funds Treasury Trust Institutional TTTXX 43.13%

Seems like a large percentage is invested in US treasuries that would not be growing very fast (dead money?); what are your thoughts on this and the MSOS ETF in general.

Holdings of similar MJ ETF are names I more readily recognize (TLRY, CRON, WEED, APHA,...), so maybe that's the way to go?

Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i,

We purchased QBTC when it was available, then purchased BTCC.B when it was recommended by 5i, and it looks like BTCC is now recommended. Can you clarify which Bitcoin stock is preferred - BTCC or BTCC.B or another Bitcoin stock?

Would it make any sense to own 1/2 of the ETF stocks in BTCC and 1/2 in BTCC.B if you have a 4% position?

Thank you for your fantastic service.

Cheers,

Debbie and Jerry

Q: Hi , Starting my 5 month old grand daughter's RESP. After reading all your other suggestions to other members, I am thinking of VEQT for the diversification of world markets and VUG for that extra torque and US dollar exposure. Would you add anything else here or suggest otherwise? I thank-you in advance. Sam

Q: Could provide an opinion on these ETF - ZDY/ZGI - read a Morningstar report on each and their opinion is they are underperforming peers.
Can you provide examples of better performing ETFs to replace them.
Thanks

Q: Hi,

In my RESP's fixed income/cash allocation, I hold CMR, CBO and HFR.

With a rising rate environment I'm thinking of switching the CBO share into HFR (although the laddered aspect of CBO mitigates problems a bit). And with CMR stopping their distributions, I thought of switching out of that too. Does this logic make sense or would you prefer having both CBO and HFR for diversification purposes? Thanks!

Q: Can you recommend your top one or two ETFs for S&P500 exposure. Do you recommend CAD-hedged or unhedged?

Q: Would you have an opinion on the Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF? I already have VWO and would like to add more Emerging Markets, less some China - which seems to dominate VWO. I also do own ZID which gives me exposure to India.

Q: Is there any advantage to using ETFs rather than mutual funds in our fixed income portfolio? Presently, we have 35% in fixed income with DFA231, DFA 603, PM0 205 & LYS801F.

Q: I am interested in adding more international exposure. Over time, in a haphazard fashion I developed portfolio weights of 4% in ZEM, 2.5% in MAW150; and 1.5% in DXG. To my untrained eye they offer diversity, for growth & stability, to different markets, etc What is your view of these 3 holdings? Would you add to each? Delete any? Due to political risks from trade tensions etc, I am inclined to avoid too much of an exposure to China. Thank you for your excellent service.

Q: What % or range would you recommend for theses Horizon products in a portfolio?
Thanks for your service

Q: I have been looking at these two ETFs. The top 10 holdings in VDY look like buy and hold companies. It seems a bit heavy on banks so really wondering about your short-term outlook on CDN banks for the rest of the year?

HGRO has had a good run in 2020 and certainly not expecting as spectacular in 2021, but do you think it will continue to do reasonably well (your thoughts would be greatly appreciated please? I realize you do not have a crystal ball).

Do you think the combo of these two would be a good idea say 50:50? The idea would be for growth as remainder of portfolio is with you balanced ETF model portfolio.

Thanks so much.

Q: Hi guys - you've mentioned a few times that the market has shifted from growth to value recently. Assuming we can't time the market with any consistency over the long term, how could someone who is dollar cost averaging take advantage of theses rotations in the future from an ETF perspective? Would it make sense to buy VUG (growth) and VTV (value) and actively purchase more when one fund is considered "down"? Is there a strategic way to determine which fund you would allocate more dollars to with each monthly purchase? Thanks for the guidance.

Q: Hi group how would you play the green energy space -ICLM or? also what is your top pick in the EV space and why - appreciate your views