Investment Q&A

Q: To follow up on your answer on GSG and DBC
Would you prefer these to ETF like XBM?

Q: Hello 5i team
As a front line (nearly retired) physician, I recently received a Covid 19 immunization. It's difficult to express the REMARKABLE sense of gratitude and euphoria that I observed among everyone involved . Suddenly, we felt liberated from the danger of this scourge that we face daily. Our next exciting job is to immunize our fellow citizens as fast as humanly possible and as we do, this euphoria will spread to society at large.
After my immunization I bought a new car and we're booking our fall and winter travel plans. This manic behaviour, I believe, represents the tip of the iceberg for pent up demand which will be unleashed upon the world.
At the risk of being labelled a mercenary can you identify some sectors which are still beaten up and likely to surge-I'm thinking energy but other suggestions welcome (prefer etf's with a dividend to keep me invested until the recovery occurs-would supplement with high conviction stocks)
Thank you. As always, I value your opinions, Regards gary

Q: Sorry if this question is being asked again. I am not sure if I hit the send button! My son asked me look at his investments. MAW 106 24%,MAW 150 20%,VUS 21%,VEF 18%,,VEE 8 %,ZJG 6 % and XQQ 3%. He is in mid 30's a bit risk adverse but does realize things go up and down.As you can see in he into ETF's and no stocks. Do we have any overlap ? Or are the holdings sufficiently different. Any thoughts appreciated and a Happy New Year.Paul

Q: In a previous answer you suggested GSG for commodities exposure but when I read the entity description I cannot understand what it actually does. I respect your suggestions and would appreciate an explanation of how GSG works. Thanks. Also, any other ETF suggestions for commodities exposure that is a little more understandable for an old timer like myself. All the best

al

Q: 50-yr old investing for retirement. Have historically been a dividend fiend but open to juicing the growth side a bit more as a result of the excellent advice I can now obtain from 5i. Considering adding to either my consumer defensive/staples allocation or increasing international exposure (the latter via an ETF). Hoping you might help me deploy a half position in an RSP and jump in one direction from a corner of the fence (and understanding you can't personalize such advice) - considering initiating a position in NWC (CA), PBH (CA), or WMT (US) or adding to an existing position in ZWE (European covered call ETF). My current geographical exposure is 34% US; 33% CA; and 32% International (XEF, ZDI and ZWE). My total covered call ETF exposure is around 8% of my equity portion and geographically diversified. Other suggestions for staples and international ETFs will be appreciated. Thanks for the great service!

Q: How would you recommend investing in the oil industry which may have a bounce back in the next year? Are there other ETFs you would recommend? Thanks for your great service, Bryan

Q: Hi was wondering which Canadian etfs you would recommend to Track corn, soybean and wheat futures? Individually would be preferred over a group of all three.

Thanks, appreciate all that you guys do.

Q: Hello 5i. Could you advise if there are US and/or international tax implications for Canadian residents from owning a well-diversified international ETF such as XEQT or VEQT, in a non-registered Canadian account? For example, roughly 47% of XEQT is made up from, in part, an ETF that's traded on the NYSE: ITOT.

Thanks as always for your help and advice.

Q: Sold BCE
I already own 3% ZUT, 3% BLK USD,
should I convert strong CAD to USD and add to BLK or stay in CAD and add to ZUT

Art

Q: Could you comment in general on this ETF please. It has not recovered in the same way other international ETF's have and yet prior to March it seems like it's been pretty stable for the last 5 years, declining somewhat in 2018. I bought a bit a few months ago and am thinking of purchasing more. Do you feel it has upside potential in the recovery and do you feel it's a buy, sell or hold at current levels? Do you think the dividend is fairly safe?
Thanks so much, your input in invaluable!

Q: For international (non-NA) exposure, please provide your current opinion about the IGRO ETF. Would you recommend this ETF? Do you see it as a complement holding for dividend-growing (but not high dividend seeking) investors who already own VIGI? Are there any other international ETFs which you would recommend in lieu of IGRO?

Many thanks for your excellent advice, and this wonderful service.

Q: looks like strong upside momentum will this continue in 2021?

Q: I have some funds in my daughters TFSA which I manage. It is for a two- three year hold. Do you have any recommendations of stocks or ETFs to buy at these current valuation levels irregardless of sector, probably more growth but good for this shorter time period? Thanks!

Q: Please comment on ETHE & QETH. Thanks.

Q: Helping my son with his investments which are as follows: MAW 106 24%,MAW 106 20%. VUS 21%, VEF 18%, VEE 8%, ZJG 6% and XQQ 3%.Feeling there is a bit of an overlap with some of these investments eg XQQ and VUS also with MAW 150 and VEF to a degree. Any advice is welcome ,stay as is , reduce holdings or increase some..He prefers ETF's and Mutual Funds (Mawer) and is a bit risk adverse but does realize markets go up and down though and is young( mid 30's ) enough to handle declines. ! Thanks.Paul

Q: Hi, I presently have the above U.S ETF's in a non reg corporate account. Total portfolio weighting is SPY - .45 / DVY - 4.03 / IWD - .84
I am overweight in financials.
What are your thoughts? Minimum of 5 year hold. Thanks so much.

Q: I am not well diversified into the US market.

I would like to sell some Canadian Banks and put that capital into US equities.

I would like to consider an ETF or a mix of ETFs.

I would like to stick to my investment personality,
long term hold, would not need money for well over 10 years.
Large Cap, Blue Chip dividend paying and "dividend GROWING" equities.

1. Can you make a recommendation for a low cost / mer etf.
2. Do I need more than one ?
3. Should I buy this in Canadian or US funds ?
4. What are the pros and cons of the purchase in Canadian or US dollars

thanks

Ernie

Q: Setting up an 40K RRSP with a 6 to 10 year time frame. What is your opinion and/or alternatives to ZEB, VXC, ZDV, XBB in equal proportions.

Q: Hi, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!

Q: Hi - Can you please suggest some Canadian ETFs? Already own a few including COW (just bought), ZAG, XWD and XHB.

Thanks,