Investment Q&A

• iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC)
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• iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XGRO)
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Q: I'm 61. I'm getting to the point in my life where I want to spend less time following stocks and just start to enjoy my life more. I have 5 accounts, 4 are registered. I'm thinking to just sell everything in all of them and buy XGRO in all of them. One fund across all accounts. No more following stocks or rebalancing and the MER is just .18. I realize I'll lose some tax advantages by putting certain investments in registered or non registered accounts, but I'm willing to give that up for the simplicity and hands off approach of a one fund portfolio.
Problem is one of my RRSP accounts is in USD, so I'm looking for a US domiciled equivalent to XGRO. Any ideas? Thanks

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Read Answer Asked by Andrew on April 25, 2019

• iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF (CPD)
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• iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF (CBO)
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• iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XHY)
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• Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB)
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Q: Hello,

I am currently looking to increase my fixed income exposure by $70,000. I currently hold the above 4 Fixed income ETF's. Each one represents less than 5% of my overall portfolio. I am looking for growth. Your suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

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Read Answer Asked by Mauro on April 25, 2019

• BMO MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (ZEM)
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• iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC)
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• Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE)
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Q: I ZEM, VEE, and XEC. The yield on ZEM is approximately 1% but the others are approximately 2 - 2.5%. My thought is to migrate from ZEM to XEC, for the improved yield.
1. Are there any significant differences between the 3 (eg tax treatment)?
2. Do you think it is worth migrating for that bit of extra yield?
3. Or there other reasons why ZEM would be good to hold? I will still have some diversification with the VEE.
thanks for your great service.

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Read Answer Asked by Leonard on April 25, 2019

• BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG)
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• iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF (CLF)
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Q: Hi,

My wife's group RRSP has Manulife AllianceBernstein Canadian Core Plus Bond as one of the options. How does it compare with CLF. Should I instead invest in MAW102 in the group RRSP and buy CLF in her regular RRSP account as part of bond portfolio allocation.

Thanks
Ninad

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Read Answer Asked by Ninad on April 25, 2019

• Global X S&P 500 Index Corporate Class ETF (HXS)
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• Global X S&P/TSX 60 Index Corporate Class ETF (HXT)
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• Global X US 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Index Corporate Class ETF (HTB)
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• iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS)
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• iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC)
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• iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XQQ)
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• iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF)
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• Global X Nasdaq-100 Index Corporate Class ETF (HXQ)
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Q: Since the tax benefits for HXT, HXQ, HTB, HXS have or will be diminished, is there any reason to continue to hold them or should we be switching to other etf's, is so which ones would you recommend?
Thanks for your service.

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Read Answer Asked by Ozzie on April 24, 2019

• Miscellaneous (MISC)
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Q: Hi 5i Team, If a portfolio is made up of ETF's how many is too much. I am worried about the MER's, since a few sector etf's have to be added to improve the sector allocation. Also how are the MER's calculated, is it a percentage of the total invested in that fund per year or something else.
Thanks guys. Have a great day.
Ivan

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Read Answer Asked by Ivan on April 24, 2019

• iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF (XST)
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• Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC)
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Q: Hello 5i,
I am holding 293 shares of XSTbought at $52.53 and up over $2000. Should I sell and buy VDC. I am 72 and use the portfolio for dividends and some growth.
thank you
Stanley

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Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on April 24, 2019

• iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XQQ)
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• Global X Nasdaq-100 Index Corporate Class ETF (HXQ)
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Q: Hi there,

I've heard a about a new government regulation effecting swapped based ETFs. Does this new regulation effect HXQ and if so, would would be a good alternative to HXQ?

Thanks!

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Read Answer Asked by Michael on April 24, 2019

• Global X S&P/TSX 60 Index Corporate Class ETF (HXT)
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Q: With the recent budget news on taxation of this ETF. Do you know how the distributions will be taxed? Capital gains or dividends?

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Read Answer Asked by Joe on April 24, 2019

Q: My portfolio analysis indicates I'm underweight in Communications, Healthcare and Utilities; as well as underweight in US and International allocations. Can you recommend US and International stocks and ETF's in these areas.
Thanks,
Camille

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Read Answer Asked by Camille on April 24, 2019

Q: This is Horizon's New ETF Fund of U S A Marijauna Companies. Due to potential size of U S Market should one own these shares ? RAK

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Read Answer Asked by bob on April 24, 2019

• iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF (XIT)
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Q: Hi
Based on the Portfolio Analytics program I am now above or below a regional exposure (Canada, USA & International within 1%. I was low on tech suggested percentage big time.
I sold my less than 1% holdings, would XIT be a good holding this would cover my Canadian holdings and increase my Tech holdings.
Based on my age I do not want to own stocks any longer and have several under 1% holdings.
You thoughts please

Mike

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Read Answer Asked by Mike on April 24, 2019

• iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN)
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• Invesco China Technology ETF (CQQQ)
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Q: Can you give me growth etfs. One for China and one for India. Suitable for a TFSA.
Thanks. Chris

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Read Answer Asked by chris on April 23, 2019

• Global X S&P 500 Index Corporate Class ETF (HXS)
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• Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV)
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Q: Is this a a good play to the US market in a TFSA. Thanks

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Read Answer Asked by David on April 23, 2019

Q: Thank you for recommending AOK for my RRSP USD. Do you have a similar USD recommendation with more international exposure that has similar investment goals? Thanks. Peter

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Read Answer Asked by Peter on April 23, 2019

• iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF (XIT)
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Q: On February 14th, you suggested that Derek buy the top 5 tech stocks in XIT. With XIT up almost 30% YTD I suspect the top 5 did very well indeed. Would it still be a good investment (top 5) given the large run-up? I looked at the top 5 and spidey sense says yes, but I value your thoughts much more. Thoughts please?

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Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on April 23, 2019

• Vanguard Total International Stock (VXUS)
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Q: If one wanted to simplify their international equity holdings (I.e. ROW outside North America), would VXUS be your choice or is there a better option you might suggest? Alternatively, would it be better to use two or three different Int’l ETF’s to accomplish the same? If so, what might be some suggestions?

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Read Answer Asked by Tony on April 23, 2019

Q: My wife currently holds two BMO Equity Growth ETFs, series A and T6. According to their info sheet, it states they have management fees of about 1.4 % and MER of 1.71%. Are both those fees payable, or is the mgmt fee included in the MER
Thanks

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Read Answer Asked by steve on April 23, 2019

• iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF (CPD)
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• Global X Active Preferred Share ETF (HPR)
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• Horizons Active Preferred Share ETF (HPR.A)
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Q: Preferreds declined in Nov-Dec and haven't come back. With interest rate peaking or flattening, is there any chance CPD or HPR will come back?

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Read Answer Asked by John on April 23, 2019

• Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS)
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Q: I like both of these stocks but would ask would you recommend them an industrial etf .. if so which U.S. etf would you prefer. What on your thoughts on a Canadian industrial etf versus a u.s.. thank you. HON, UTX

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Read Answer Asked by Maureen on April 23, 2019