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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 team
I have about 40,000 in US dollars to invest
aim is to put 30% in US equity (SPY which I have a current position)
and put 70% to generate dividends and some growth (VIG which I have a current position)

it is going to be in a non-registered account, so I know that tax withholding taxes
is going to lessen the return (no intention of filing a US return)
can you give me 2 Cdn ETF (investing in US div stocks and
general market) equivalent to VIG and SPY ?
of similar returns and risks

Many thanks
Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on May 13, 2020
Q: Could you please rate these ETFS for safety. How would they react in a higher interest environment and which would you lean to.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by HEATH on May 13, 2020
Q: I am considering an appropriate asset mix, and I am leaning towards a minimum 40% US by acquiring VFV, HXS, a minimum of XQQ, and HXQ. For Canadian stocks I am aiming at 15% Tech, 15% Utilities, 10% Industrials, and 15% REITs. I would appreciate your opinion, thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on May 13, 2020
Q: Is it better to own QQQ and pay the extra fees for converting Can to US dollars through my broker ( TD ) or buy hxq, znq even though they have small market caps and have low trading volumes? Both seem to have better performance over the last year than QQQ.
Thanks, Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on May 13, 2020
Q: Hi
I am slowly selling into the rallies and consolidating my portfolio.
Of the two VCIP/VCNS which is safer to hold for 1 to 2 years.
Or should I simply put the money in a Hi Savings a/c or in an ETF like PYF/PSA. I won't need the money to survive for 1 to 2 years. But will need it to "wade into the market" as per your suggestions. Is PYF bit too fancy a place to park? One of the gentleman on BNN mentioned this product recently. I wasn't even aware of this product!
Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Savalai on May 13, 2020
Q: Bought ZRE in a non-registered account just weeks before COVID. Down 33%. Yikes. Would you suggest waiting it out? And if so - looking at your trusty crystal ball - when would you see share prices for this ETF rising to pre-COVID levels (a year...two years)? Alternatively, is it time to cut my (considerable) losses and invest in another sector (tech, consumer cyclical?) which would have a better chance of seeing a faster recovery? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on May 13, 2020
Q: Peter.
VOO vs VFV

Both these ETFs track the S & P 500. VOO cost U.S. $ $269 and yield 2.5%. VFV cost $72.48 CDN and yield 1.7%. Assume 1) purchase for long term hold 2) to simplify assume FX rates stay the same as today. 3 )can will invest either Cdn$ or U.S. $. How would you determine which is better? Would you normally get hosed on fx conversion with VFV?
Thank you

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on May 12, 2020
Q: I'm trying to make decisions for my retired mother's taxable account.

In the current environment, do preferred shares make more sense than bonds or other fixed income strategies? If so, can you recommend a few of the best preferred share funds (or would an ETF like CPD or ZPR be a wiser option)?
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on May 12, 2020
Q: Hello Peter,
I'm interested in investing in biotechnology stocks (you know, the ones who will stop the next plague!), but don't want to 'stock pick'. Can you please suggest an ETF that focus on that sector. (I'm partial to Vanguard ETFs, if possible.)
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by James on May 12, 2020
Q: I am working on setting up an RESP for my Granddaughter. We have about 10 years to grow the RESP before changing it to a more conservative approach. Looking for 3 to 5 solid Canadian ETF's - one of them being the best to track the S&P 500. What 3 to 5 ETF's would you recommend for growth and diversity? I would like to keep dividends in Canadian dollars to avoid withholding taxes. Thank you, Patrick
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on May 12, 2020
Q: Can I get your thoughts on these two? Would you prefer a specific airline or two over jets? How would air Canada stack up ?
Read Answer Asked by david on May 12, 2020
Q: Greetings,

Can you tell me what is the closest US equivalent to XTR?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by kelly on May 11, 2020
Q: Do you have one ETF or mutual fund pick for international coverage? If you were trying for international (non US and CDN) including Emerging, what would you do please? More than one is fine, but minimal please.
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on May 11, 2020
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