Investment Q&A

Q: ETFs
Can you suggest your top 1-2-3 ETFs traded on the TSX for Canadian, USA and International markets that should perform well (after fees) over the next 1-2 years and have good trade volumes? Also, would this be a good time to purchase hedge or unhedged ETFs?

Q: You continue to hold XHY and CPD in the income portfolio. My understanding when purchasing these was that they would perform well in a low interest rate environment. That has not been the case. I am about breakeven on them over the past 3 years with dividends included. What is the investment thesis for holding them now that interest rates are already so low. Is it time to move on?

Q: Good morning,
I would like your opinion on ZEO for long term hold, income and recovery in the economy
I hold XIU,XUS,XEF,ZRE,ZUT,ZEB,ZQQ I am retired 71

Thanks
Carl

Q: hello again

For my non canadian and non USA holdings, I have relied almost exclusively on VEA for the last two years with ok results. I'm wondering if the Asian markets ( China, Taiwan, Japan in particular) won't fare better in the coming years than will many other geographics. Do you think it wise to switch to a different ETF and if so, which would you suggest? thanks. Al

Q: Hi, I'm new to 5i and was wondering if you can give me your opinion on the above Mutual funds and if you could suggest ETF replacements that may be more appropriate for a somewhat balance in my portfolio and have good growth.

Q: Hi 5i,
I am looking for the best options for gaining CAD-denominated exposure to the major companies in the chips/semis space. What might be the best ETF options and what would be their proportion of exposure to that sub-sector? If not ETFs, might there be a more effective way of obtaining the desired exposure while staying in CAD? I’ll mention that I already have positions in PHO and STC, although obviously they are not quite the order of companies I’d be targeting with this question. Thanks!

Q: I should increase the industrial allocation in my rrif Presently I have SIS, WSP and XLI . I would appreciate your opinion regarding stocks or ETFS with some income generation and growth preferably in US or multinational ie MG. Is SIS a reasonable choice for a rrif.

Q: Could you recommend ETFs for Cdn or US commodities for registered account ?

Thx

Q: Which makes more sense in this environment a US or canadian real return bond fund as an inflation hedge for a RRIF

Q: May I have a recommendation for one Canadian EFT for income. Cheers

Q: Both funds hold BTC only, no other alt coins that I can see. The current price has a premium to NAV of 27% and 3% for QBTC.U. Why such a huge spread ? I know GBTC is much bigger but still it makes no sense to me. Do you have an explanation ? Also am I correct to assume the price of these 2 stocks will move pretty much in line with the price of BTC ? If you had to buy one which would you buy ?
Thanks

Q: Hi, I currently don't have any bonds and would like 2 etf's you recommend to start with for fixed income. Currently a few years from retirement.
Thanks for all the help!

Q: My question is related to the storage quantity of gold and silver at Sprott. As I buy and sell PHYS and PSLV on the TSX I assume I am selling to OR buying from another trader in the market. Where does Sprott obtain the funds to add to its holdings or are the physical holdings constant after funds from the IPO were invested in the metals? Am I trading around those initial physical holdings?

If I don’t hold the physical metal like having a gold wafer in a safe deposit box, do I really own it?

Q: I am quite interested by ZEM for diversification,and also for China, since China will probably become soon the first world economy...Concerning tax efficiency, are the "non-US stocks" listed on US markets submitted to the US tax on dividends? and are the foreign stocks listed on "non US markets" submitted a foreign tax on dividends (for most ,or for a minority) ?Thanks, Keep doing your excellent job , great help for all !

Q: Hi 5i guys,
I came across the ETF EDGE from Evolve that is not in your database.
It looks intriguing as a vehicle (in CDN$) to invest in global innovative/disruptive companies. Am looking at it for a small portion of my TFSA.
Also noticed that Evolve is coming out with a new ETF in the near future called DATA.
Any information/opinion on EDGE and/or an alternative in the space is appreciated.
Thanks, Steve

Q: Could you recommend a Cdn Materials, Utilities and Gold ETF for long term hold in a registered account ?

Q: Hello,

In the upcoming shareholder meeting, the following changes to the investment restrictions are proposed:

Current Investment Restriction:
[Each iShares Fund] shall store all the Bullion owned by the iShares Fund in: (i) with respect to CGL, the vault facilities of a Schedule I Canadian chartered bank or an approved subcustodian or sub-subcustodian or an affiliate or a division thereof on a segregated basis; and (ii) with respect to SVR, the vault facilities of a Schedule I Canadian chartered bank, or an affiliate or a division thereof, or a sub-custodian on an allocated basis.
[Each iShares Fund] shall ensure that the Custodian has adequate insurance in place in respect of the Bullion held by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund.

Proposed Investment Restriction:
[Each iShares Fund] shall store all of the Bullion owned by the iShares Fund in the vault facilities of one or more entities that meet the requirements to act as a custodian or sub-custodian for assets as described in NI 81-102 (or are permitted to act as a custodian or sub-custodian pursuant to exemptive relief from the applicable requirements granted by the Securities Authorities), on an allocated and segregated basis.
[Each iShares Fund] shall ensure that the Custodian itself has, or that the Custodian or sub-custodian(s) are required to ensure that their respective sub-custodian(s) have, adequate insurance arrangements in place in respect of the Bullion held on behalf of the Fund by such Custodian or sub-custodian(s), as applicable.

Would you be able to please explain in simple(-er) terms what's being proposed here?
Also, if the proposal is approved, how it would affect attractiveness of CGL going forward? I.e. would it be a good idea to continue to hold it?

Thank you kindly

Q: I bought IWO back in April and it has now risen to 11% of my portfolio. I am wondering if it would make sense to reduce and pick up some US Large Cap. I already hold MSFT, GOOG, DIS. Or, being reasonably risk-tolerant, should I just continue to hold?/ Thanks Jim

Q: In your reply to my earlier questions, you advised that RPAR and NTSX could be considered core.
1. Given low volumes, should liquidity be considered a risk in a down market?
2. How do the Sharpe ratios compare? Do they achieve the goal of less risk than the market, with decent returns?
3. The drawdown with NTSX was much higher than RPAR - can you explain?
4. What percentages would you advise for one or both as core holdings?
Thank you.

Q: My portfolio is moderately balanced, and do not include internet or technological Cdn values ( as SHOP,CSU,OTEX,BB,KXS,ENGH,LSPD,etc…),or equivalent US stocks. The main reason are that : 1) I feel that prices and ratios are very high 2) My objective is a ” safe mix” of revenues and growth 3) It seems impossible to predict wich Cies will be the “winners” in the future in this new trend 4) I tend to keep stocks and ETF for long term (not too much surveillance needed ) .Do you have any suggestion (stock or ETF) ,and general point of view ? many thanks