skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 2 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: What are your top 5 Fixed Income ETFs (Cdn or US / International exposure) to hold long term in a RRIF or RSP in the current environment?
Thank you in advance.
Read Answer Asked by EDWARD on April 27, 2020
Q: Good Day Team,
Looking for a good solid opportunity to invest in and thought about HBF and possibly HGR. Would you advise me to go this route or are the better routes to take.
I am retired and 70 years of age.
Thank you,
John G.
Read Answer Asked by John on April 27, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Grant on April 27, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on April 27, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Kolbi on April 27, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Barbara on April 27, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Steve on April 27, 2020
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%) ,
Read Answer Asked by Tom on April 24, 2020
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!
Read Answer Asked by Greg on April 24, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on April 24, 2020
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!
Read Answer Asked by Geoff on April 23, 2020
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.
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on April 23, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Hector on April 23, 2020