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Investment Q&A

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

Q: To park my cash, I have been using the TD Investment Savings account TDB8150 (CDN) paying 1.6% and TDB8152 (US) paying 1.45%. I just saw your answer about PSA and PSU High Interest Savings ETFs that pay in the range of 2.25%....I assume these returns are net of fees?. On the surface, it seems a no brainer that I should move into PSA and PSU, however, I wanted to check to see if there was any downside (increased risk, lower liquidity, etc) that I should be considering. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Scott on September 04, 2019
Q: Just a follow up on the XEF. Would the 37%(mostly japan) Asia component be adequate for an emerging market exposure or would you want a true ETF like the ZEM you mentioned to go along with XEF?
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on September 04, 2019
Q: I have been investing in ETFs for several years, using a simple 5 ETF portfolio which includes VCN (27%), XUU (27%), XEF (19%), XEC(7%), and ZAB (20%). When I use the portfolio analytics, the suggested ETF portfolio includes about 15 ETFs. Just wondering what if the added complication of the additional funds is worth the effort. I assume that yours has better downside protection as it reduces some of the concentrated sectors and perhaps has better returns? My portfolio has grown in size over the past years so I am ok with the additional work to manage the portfolio, just wanted to better understand why.

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Everett on September 03, 2019
Q: I have the following ETF's in the noted ratios and dividend yields %: HDV (3x) 3.32%, ZDV (2x) 5.37%, XTR (1.8x)5.88%, ZWU (1.7x) 6.60%, and CDZ (1x) 4.66%. I'm a dividend investor and good for 3-5 years. If we hit some hard times which of these would be hit the hardest? Any duplication? Should I drop one or more and add to others?
Read Answer Asked by Graham on September 03, 2019
Q: The exchange-traded fund Invesco S&P 500® (Symbol RSP) and SPDR® S&P 500 (Symbol SPY) both track the S&P 500. Their historic charts are nearly identical, as one would expect.

SPY units trade at about $300 while RSP units trade at about a third of that.

Why the difference?
Read Answer Asked by Milan on September 03, 2019
Q: Tax advantaged ETFs, those that flowed through interest or dividend income as lower taxed capital gains, were supposedly going to be disallowed in new federal tax legislation (Budget proposal). Did this legislation ever pass into law? Do such ETFs still have a life? Thanks in advance, Ron W
Read Answer Asked by RON on August 30, 2019
Q: I am a retired conservative dividend income investor. I've held Sentry Global REIT for years (love the 6% distribution) and have been monitoring its performance as compared to ZRE and XRE. I didn't mind paying the 2.4% MER as long as it was outperforming. However, on a total return basis, Sentry has lagged significantly and I have sold it today.

With interest rates appearing to be on the decline and, more importantly, for portfolio asset allocation, I still want to have REIT exposure. I am leaning towards ZRE, due to the equal weight nature (as opposed to XRE).

I am normally a long term buy-and-hold investor. ZRE has had a good run recently, but I think the future still looks good, due to the macro environment. Your thoughts?

My target REIT allocation is 7.5%. I also have a position in CSH.

Thanks for your help...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on August 30, 2019
Q: Greetings 5i

I continue to focus in on dividend producers that offer security as I enter retirement. At the present time in my TFSA I already have a 20% weighting in VBAL and 5% in XRE. I have another 5% to allocate which will be coming from my sale of BAD as I slowly transition to more security. Which do you suggest as the best alternative? Any other suggestions?

I know VBAL and XRE are very different in context and dividend payout so I need your insight. What I do know is that I’m having a great long ride with Shopify. For that I’m happy not to receive a dividend. Thanks 5i!

Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on August 29, 2019
Q: Hi Guys
I have no Healthcare stocks in my portfolio, i was thinking of purchasing the above Mutual fund to cover it. What weighting would you recommend and would you buy 50% now, or take a full weighting. Maybe taking a full weighting is fine as i will not be selling this purchase for years to come. However 2 years out we might see this fund drop maybe 40%..
Your opinion please.
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on August 29, 2019