Investment Q&A

• iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF (CVD)
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• iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XPF)
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• iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XHY)
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• PIMCO Global Income Opportunities Fund (PGI.UN)
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Q: Hi,

What are your thoughts on PGI.UN? The MER looks like it's on the order of 4% which seems high. On the other hand, for a fixed income fund, the total return (after expenses) for the last few years seems decent.

I already hold XHY, CVD & XPF. Would you say PGI.UN is a good compliment to add to these or should I just add to these ETFs instead?

Thanks,

Gord

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Read Answer Asked by Gordon on January 14, 2020

• Purpose High Interest Savings Fund (PSA)
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• Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB)
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Q: In this ultra low interest rate environment, where it is maybe more likely for rates to climb than to fall, do you think the best place for the income component of a portfolio, aside from GICs, is in a bond ETF like VAB or a savings ETF like PSA?

Thanks.

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Read Answer Asked by Alan on January 14, 2020

• BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF (ZRE)
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• iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF (XRE)
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• CI Canadian REIT ETF (RIT)
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Q: Hello 5i, I am looking to invest in one or two Canadian real estate ETF. Can you suggest me 3 names with low cost, a good performance and low debt. Thank you! Jean

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Read Answer Asked by Jean on January 13, 2020

• Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL)
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• Vanguard Growth ETF Portfolio (VGRO)
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• Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF (HBAL)
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• iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (XBAL)
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• iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XGRO)
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• Horizons Growth TRI ETF Portfolio (HGRO)
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Q: Re article in today’s National Post re ETF of ETF’s, no ticker symbols were included. Can you provide same and indicate your opinion on general suitability and if favourable your choice?
Thank you for considering my question

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Read Answer Asked by Gail on January 13, 2020

• BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged To CAD Index ETF (ZQQ)
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• BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Index ETF (ZNQ)
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Q: Good Morning,

Putting fresh 2020 TFSA contribution to work. Which would you buy? It appears they are the exact same except the hedging/unhedging? Thanks again

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Read Answer Asked by Darby on January 13, 2020

• iShares Global Healthcare Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XHC)
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• Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV)
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• iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI)
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• Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT)
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Q: Recommendations for Healthcare stocks or ETF currently?

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Read Answer Asked by Elizabeth on January 13, 2020

• BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB)
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• BMO Equal Weight Banks Index ETF (ZEB)
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Q: Hi gang, I am planning to into investing in bank ETF. Which one would you recommend zeb or Zwb? Or any other you would suggest? 3-5 years hold . Thanks
Alnoor

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Read Answer Asked by Alnoor on January 13, 2020

• BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG)
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• BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZLC)
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• iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF (XLB)
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Q: Hi, I do not have any bonds or fixed income. Looking for one or two prospects to start, with about $50,000 to invest. Would like 3-4%+income. What are your views on the above, and of course any other you may suggest. Would like one size fits all if possible.
Also in a possible 30% downturn in the market , how much would a bond etf cushion the blow?
Thanks

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Read Answer Asked by Brad on January 13, 2020

• BMO International Dividend ETF (ZDI)
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• BMO MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (ZEM)
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• iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF)
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• iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF (CDZ)
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• Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE)
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• Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGG)
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• Franklin ClearBridge Intl Gth Fd Ser A (TML735)
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• Invesco Canadian Plus Dividend Class Series P (AIM24823)
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Q: Hi gang, I own this funds. TML735 & AIM24823. Both have not done well for me . I would like to switch to another family fund or should I just cash out and buy an ETF . Your thought please. Thanks

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Read Answer Asked by Alnoor on January 13, 2020

• iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF (XIT)
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• Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)
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• Ninepoint Energy Fund Series D (NPP314)
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Q: I am a retired, dividend-income investor. Assume asset allocation is not an issue. I already hold positions in Nutrien, XIT (technology ETF) and Eric's NinePoint Energy fund (proxy for the oil market). I have this year's TFSA monies to put towards one of these equities.

Please rank for total return (best to worst) for 2020 and a short explanation as to why.

Thanks for your help...Steve

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Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 13, 2020

• Leon's Furniture Limited (LNF)
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• iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO)
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Q: Hello 5i,
I am now putting growth stocks in my TFSA after putting in my GIC's over the years. I am holding IWO and LNF in an unregistered account. To complete my TFSA contribution should I include IWO or LNF?
Thank you
Stanley

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Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on January 12, 2020

• BetaPro NASDAQ-100 2x Daily Bull ETF (HQU)
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Q: Below is the longer term performance of HQU for 1,3,6month and 1,3,5,10 year periods, along with the Fund Quartile rating. With this longer term return, why wouldn't I just use this fund as my only proxy for NASDAQ listed stocks? The same with SSO for SPY listed stocks? Seems like an easy was to outperform (and under) the markets.

Your thoughts please, pros and cons.

+7.70% +25.81% +26.31% +79.22% +39.24% +27.01% +30.14%

Fund Quartile 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st

Sheldon

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Read Answer Asked by Sheldon on January 12, 2020

• iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF (XIT)
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Q: I am interested in an ETF approach to investing in Canadian tech and of course helpful at a price per share at $30 vs lofty prices that some of the tech stocks are trading at. Thoughts & thanks!

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Read Answer Asked by Bruce on January 12, 2020

• iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW)
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• Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada Index ETF (VXC)
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Q: Hi,
Is XAW a good strategy and good ETF to easily diversify outside Canada. Also, is there other similar ETF’s that you suggest investing which excludes Canada for a world diversification.
Thank you

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Read Answer Asked by André on January 10, 2020

• Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL)
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• Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF (HBAL)
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• iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (XBAL)
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Q: Happy New Year 5i,
Is there anywhere I could get a complete list of the holdings in HBAL, VBAL, XBAL? I realize VBAL is 12,595! XBAL 16,000 plus! I am thinking there might be spreadsheets available somewhere. I am just doing a bit of education with my children and grandchildren.
Thanks
Chris

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Read Answer Asked by Chris on January 09, 2020

• BMO MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (ZEM)
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• Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE)
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Q: Hello,
I'm looking at DGRE because I like dividend growth strategy overall. Concerned with less than 100M in assets, relatively new, not sure about liquidity. Thoughts?

Thanks

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Read Answer Asked by Daryl on January 09, 2020

• iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF)
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• Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index ETF (VE)
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• Vanguard FTSE All-World Ex-US Small Capital Index Fund ETF (VSS)
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Q: Hi 5i,
Happy New Year.
In the original asset allocator there was a suggested portfolio in ETFs. Mine has vanished! I was trying to look up possible ETFs in European or International small caps.
Are there any? Or would GIB, WSP,Altus or CAE count as international as well as Canadian?
Constance

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Read Answer Asked by Constance on January 09, 2020

• iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO)
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• iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF)
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• iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD)
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• SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA)
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Q: Hi Gang, I am interested in buying one of this etf. Iwo, iwf,iwd, or Dia which one would you buy today. Our any other suggestion. Reasons? 3-5 years. Thanks
Alnoor

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Read Answer Asked by Alnoor on January 09, 2020

• BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP)
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• Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-hedged) (VSP)
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• Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
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Q: Which Top 3 ETF's do your recommend to track the S&P 500.

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Read Answer Asked by Jacquie on January 09, 2020

• Danaher Corporation (DHR)
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• Xylem Inc. New (XYL)
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• American Water Works Company Inc. (AWK)
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• Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF (CGW)
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Q: I would like to buy a stock or ETF that deals with water treatment, possibly desalination, or purifying water. This would be a US holding, but not necessarily aimed at treating water in the US. What suggestions might you have? I thought about American WaterWorks, and would like an idea of what else is out there, especially for desalination treatment. Thank you.

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Read Answer Asked by Elizabeth on January 09, 2020