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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: We are often counselled to hold US dividend-yielding securities in an RRSP, since there are no withholding taxes (as opposed to a TFSA). However, let's say I hold a Canadian-domiciled ETF that holds US dividend yielding stocks, for example, ZDY. The ETF automatically withholds foreign tax (eg. in 2017, ZDY paid 0.140134/unit in foreign tax), that also cannot be claimed on a Canadian tax return, so isn't this just as disadvantageous as holding this same ETF in a TFSA?

Read Answer Asked by Walter on January 14, 2019
Q: At current levels this ETF is down ~21% from highs set in January 2018. With a ~4% yield and 18B in net assets would you see the current levels as attractive to begin to step into the ETF? In your opinion is brexit already priced into this ETF, or would expect more downside should brexit go through? Your thoughts on the opposite scenario where Britain remains in the EU would also be appreciated. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Marco on January 14, 2019
Q: I am interested in an AI/Robotic ETF. I know you have recommended BOTZ in the past.
Are there any Canadian ETFs in this space you would suggest? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Wendy on January 14, 2019
Q: My daughter TFSA contains the above stocks. She can add 1 (full position) or 2 (half position) this year. What would be a good fit for her present holdings? Would you suggest selling Stella Jones &/or Telus and replacing it with something else? She has a long time frame as she will not need the money in the foreseeable future.
Read Answer Asked by jacques on January 14, 2019
Q: Further to my previous question on these etfs. if I buy these etfs and they over time accumulate gains from distributions. And I then sell some units for income is my gain or loss solley dependent on wether I sold above or below my purchase price or could I in fact sell for my exact purchase price and still have a cumulative gain from distributions from the swap? Also in your opinion would these funds as start ups be a poor way for a retired person to avoid income as to gain on oas and gis ?
Read Answer Asked by Larry on January 14, 2019
Q: I currently hold a global infrastructure f class mutual fund (CIBC Renaissance ALT062)in registered acct's. It has had poor resent performance with a big drop at the end of 2017. Cause?( It has a 15% investment in UK and top holding in Eurotunnel). Could you recommend an ETF or company as a suitable replacement. Also, would it provide more choice and liquidity if I converted to US dollars?
Read Answer Asked by Peter on January 14, 2019
Q: I am retired and have over the last year built a somewhat diversified portfolio that is geared toward income. I own 1000+ shares of the following of stocks and ETF’s.
Stocks : AQN, ENB (2K), BEP.UN, CVE, RY, SLF, BCE, CPG, IPL,NGD,BT,TD (U.S.),GE (U.S.)
ETF’S: ZEF,ZWE (3k),ZWU, CYH, REEM (2K),MFT (3K), XTR, ZMI (2), ZWP, ZDM, ZPW,ZWH.
I am presently holding an additional 45% in cash and feel that I am lacking in US exposure. I am thinking of purchasing either HEA or ZDY. I like the yield of HEA (6.46%) vs ZDY (2.96%). My question is should I be worried that there is not a lot of daily volume with HEA, in fact some days none. 2. How does someone go about buying 20,000 shares of an ETF with very little daily volume? Is there another ETF(income) that pays a minimum of 3% yield with a broad US exposure that you would recommend? Please note this is for a 5-7 year hold. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on January 14, 2019
Q: what would you think of the following strategy?
instead of paying the high MER of ZLB i buy the top ten stocks listed under ZLB in the proportions listed and then at the end of each year I readjust to match their new top ten? i know this would involve some trading costs but even if all ten would have to be replaced (not likely) i would still be ahead. anything i am missing?
Read Answer Asked by Astrid on January 14, 2019
Q: Hi 5I,
I own the following stocks (approx 1K shares of each).
AQN,BCE,ENB(2K),BEP.UN,RY,SLF,CPG,IPL,NGD - U.S. - TD, BT & GE. My ETF's are anywhere from $1k-3K shares of each of the following:
ZEF,ZWE (3K),ZWU,CYH,REEM (2K),ZMI(3K),CYH,MFT (3K),XTR,ZWP,ZDM.ZPW,ZWH. - Also holding approximately 40% cash. I feel my portfolio is lacking U.S Exposure. Which of one HEA or ZDY would you recommend and what kind of weighting? I am retired and as you can see my portfolio is heavily weighted for monthly income. Looking at a 5-7 year hold. Any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on January 14, 2019
Q: Is there a short term money ETF that trades in the US that also trades in CDN that can be used to transfer money back and forth? I am thinking of ETFs like PSA in Canada or FLOT in US.
Read Answer Asked by Gerald on January 11, 2019
Q: I am a new retiree and interested in income, with some growth. What ETF or ETFs would you recommend for a non-registered account? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 11, 2019
Q: For an investor looking for some direct exposure to India with a long term outlook, would you prefer FIH.U or INDY or do you have a different top pick? What about IFN which seems to have an indicated dividend yield of 13.4% Would be held in a registered account.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on January 11, 2019
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