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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: Hi 5i.

Emerging Markets (EM): Looking at some EM ETFs (i.e. EEM, etc.) return graphs over the 2008-2009 market correction, they appear to be hit harder than North American (N.A.) markets (i.e. TSE, S&P500, etc.). But, over the long term (i.e. 20+ years), returns are very closely correlated between EM, TSE, S&P500, etc. EM ETFs seem to have a bit higher dividend (~ 3%) compared to TSE, S&P500 ETFs (~ 2%), but why bother owning them when they tank so dramatically during market corrections? Can't really be for diversification as they are so closely correlated to N.A. markets in the long run.

I do note that EM ETFs also recuperate VERY quickly/dramatically, so maybe they are good to buy after a (global) market down-turn?

As always, thank you for your wise advise.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on November 27, 2019
Q: Hi,

In your answer to James you suggested the following bond ETFS: XBB, XLB, XSB, CBO and/or XHY. I'm very interested in this as I'm trying to increase fixed income exposure.

What percentage would you suggest in each of the total bond portfolio? Also, unless I am missing something, CBO and XSB both appear to be the same thing, so why the need to own both?
Read Answer Asked by Pamela on November 27, 2019
Q: What are your thoughts on TPE vs XEF or VIU for international equity in an RSP? It seems somewhat safer due to larger cap focus but the TER is higher so combined cost of 0.32 to 0.23 for VIU. Leaning towards VIU as it has the most holdings and includes Korea.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on November 27, 2019
Q: Goodmorning
I have a 1% position in ZGI and a 3% position in BIP.UN I am thinking of selling ZGI and using the proceeds to invest in BIP.UN in an effort to cut down on the number of positions I have in the total portfolio I am wondering what your thoughts would be with such a move?
Thks
Marce
Read Answer Asked by Marcel on November 27, 2019
Q: Hi Peter and Staff,
Some of my sector ETF's are only 2.2 to 3.5% of my portfolio to make up for Analytics suggested allocation. I know you suggested a minimum of 5%. If I go 5% with any of these ETF's I would be way over the suggested allocation. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your support.
Ivan
Read Answer Asked by Ivan on November 27, 2019
Q: My fixed income exposure is 100% through my RRSP, of which 90% are individual bonds, 5% XBB and 5% XLB. I have a bond worth 5% of my RRSP due next week. Should I diversify further my bond exposure with ETFs like XEB or VGB, especially if I believe rates will start climbing within the next 12 months? Thanks, Martin
Read Answer Asked by Martin on November 26, 2019
Q: Hello 5iResearch,

I have a couple requests:

1. Would you please send me your recommendations for two or three ETFs I could use for hedging against a recession/market correction but still get an annualized distribution yield of about 3%?

2. Could you please also let me know what your recommendation would be for a gold ETF?

Thank you,
Natasha



Read Answer Asked by Natasha on November 26, 2019
Q: The PMIF currently shows a YTD return of about 5.85% on their website. Sounds really good for a monthly income fund. This seems to include a change in unit price value from January 1, 2019 plus monthly distributions to date (Nov 2019). However is not the real return only the annual sum of the monthly distributions (around 2.5%)? The fund drops in unit value on the monthly ex-dividend date. Seems to me just the unit distribution (yield) should be the real return value. YTD is misleading when there is such a large unit drop in December to account for year end distributions.
Read Answer Asked by Blain on November 26, 2019
Q: I have $9500 to invest in Technology or Communications ETF.
I have been following IYW & RYT in Tech & VOX in communications as per your PA list, but all are presently at their high so is it okay to buy now or wait till there is a correction and which sector &/or ETF would be best to consider for a RRIF?
Look forward to your response. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Terry on November 26, 2019
Q: Hello,
I came across an article which discussed an etf, ticker QTUM:US. I went to their website and read their documentation but would like your opinion of this etf.
Some of the holdings are companies you often have good things to say. I know it is small but is that enough of a reason not to buy this etf? Apart from that, any red flags? This would be for my TFSA (one stop shop for tech).
Thanks,
Dan
Read Answer Asked by Daniel on November 25, 2019