skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 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: I hold VSP Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) in my RRIF. I am confused by the following comments in the February 2019 ETF & Mutual Fund Update under the title Exchange-Traded Funds for Your RRSP – “When it comes to Canadian-listed funds that hold U.S. equities or hold U.S. listed ETFs it is best to avoid them because U.S. dividend income is taxed on your behalf.” I had thought that VSP was appropriate for RRIF’s. Please advise.
Read Answer Asked by Nadine on March 05, 2019
Q: Hi Peter,
I really enjoyed your appearance recently on BNN. I like the fact that you appear without notes, printouts, “model” prices or table-pounding buys, unlike some of the other guys.

I read your FP article on the weekend on asset and sector allocation. I agree 100% with getting the sector right - just look at commodities over the past many years. It is the larger asset allocation question (stocks vs. bonds) that puzzles me. For me, I am an equity guy and typically run 90-100% equities for better long run returns. Any remainder is cash looking for new opportunities.

I have never in my life bought a bond (or bond ETF), unless you count CSBs 40 years ago when they were at 12% plus; rates we will never see again in our lifetimes. I understand bonds for reducing volatility in your portfolio. Last fall showed the volatility of an all equity portfolio. Yet today, we are making a nice recovery. My question is if or how do bonds enhance your returns?

In Warren Buffett’s recent interview on CNBC, he said that given a choice of holding a 10 year government bond versus holding the S&P 500 for 10 years, he would buy the S&P in a second. He said the same thing for a 30 year comparison. I just can’t get comfortable with the idea of holding bonds to enhance your returns. If the primary advantage of bonds is to reduce the volatility of your portfolio, then I am fine without bonds.

Thanks again for your insight.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on March 05, 2019
Q: Hello, curious as to your recommendations for my TFSA. I currently hold all stocks in my RRSP, and a mix of mutual funds and etfs in my TFSA. I will soon be making a new TFSA contribution and must decide between adding a new name or topping up existing holdings. Funds likely to be held for a few years. Current holdings, in equal parts are
ETF's RIT, XWD and ZQQ, mutual funds include Fidelity Far East and Canadian Growth.
Have thought of HMMJ as well as TDB 3098 as possibilities.
Your Thoughts Please and Thanks. Lavern
Read Answer Asked by Lavern on March 05, 2019
Q: Preferred Shares

Upon reviewing the holdings of the four (4) largest preferred share etf, I have noticed the majority of preferred shares are issued by the banks, insurance companies, electrical utilities and pipeline companies. I am a holder of the common shares of the same companies (as they are stable long term dividend payers).
The first question I have is am I increasing my "company" risk by holding both common and preferred shares of the same companies? Should I continue to buy the common shares, which are paying very close to the available preferred share yield and gain long term from dividend increases.
The second question is of the four etf listed, which is your preferred etf. Are there other Canadian Dividend eft I should look at?

Thanks in advance for your excellent service.

Stephen
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 05, 2019
Q: Dear 5i
When i look over the summary page for an ETF at Yahoo finance and Morningstar i see many stats on the ETF including but not limited to 12 month yield and expense ratio .
Firstly is the stated yield on that summary page generally net or gross of the expense ratio ?
Secondly whether its Yahoo finance , Morningstar or the free version of Bloomberg the yields and expense ratio numbers largely vary . Whats your recommendation for which site to use to more accurately reflect the real numbers ?
Thanks
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on March 05, 2019
Q: What are the best ETF options to invest in the UK FTSE 100?
Read Answer Asked by Ciaron on March 05, 2019
Q: Good Afternoon,
Is there a copper only ETF or just the blended base metal exposure like ZMT and XBM?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 04, 2019
Q: Recently a number of firms, including iShares, Templeton, BMO and Vanguard, have come out with asset allocation ETFs. These ETFs appear to be well diversified both geographically and sectorally. You can purchase these ETFs with various bond/equity ratios depending on your risk tolerance. What is your view about these ETFs? Would it make sense for a conservative, retired, investor to purchase one of these ETFs as their entire investment (and to sell their individual equities)? If you like these asset allocation ETFs, which one do you think is best for an RRSP, TFSA and a non-registered account?

Thank-you again for your excellent advice.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on March 04, 2019
Q: The MSCI announced today that it was quadrupling the proportion of mainland shares in its global benchmarks. Do you feel that now is a good time to invest in a China ETF? If yes, what ETF would you recommend for a TFSA, and for a non-registered account?

Thank you as always for your excellent advice.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on March 04, 2019
Q: Do you know a vanguard value ETF in the us that could be a good buy at present Thanks for your help Bob
Read Answer Asked by Robert on March 04, 2019
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!