Investment Q&A

Q: I have 25% in fixed income in the above ETFs. In my TD account they are all showing a small negative return. Wouldn't cash be better or a GIC. I would really like to understand the logic of holding these rather than say a GIC. Thanks so much.

Q: I very much appreciate 5i along with your ETF site. From your ETF site, I have been playing with the ETF sector balancer and have found it quite useful to see the % of the sectors my postions occupy .
My questions
1. I am considering a 1/2 position of XHC, XGI, and XCD and a 1/4 postion of VUN and XQQ. Is now the time to buy these or should I sit on my cash for a while or should I be considering some alternatives to these within their sectors?
2. If I execute #1 above, my overall holdings will be 57% CDA, 29% USA, 14% INTL and my portfolio will consist of 2% materials, 13% consumer cyclical, 5% financial, 3% communication, 10% energy, 10% industrials, 6% technology, 17% consumer defensive, 13% healthcare and 18% utilities.
I would very much appreciate your critique and observations.

John

Q: Hi 5i,

I need to create a fixed income allocation in my LIRA. Would you recommend an equal allocation to the following ETF's: CBO, XBB, ZEF, CPD and ZHY? If not what would you recommend for a fixed income etf position.

Thanks,

Q: ATCO is down 14% from my avg cost in my non-registered account. I am thinking do a tax loss selling and buy FTS or AQN or both. Do you think it’s a good idea?

Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i,

Need to create a new fixed income/bond position in my portfolio. Looking to allocate holdings (equally?) across the following ETF's: CBO, XBB, ZEF, CPD, and ZHY. Would you recommend this as a good long term strategy or would there be a better ETF combination you'd recommend.

BTW loved your May issue in ETF Fund Update (etffundupdate.ca) on balancing sector allocation.

Q: I have about 7 years before i will need to withdraw and money from my RSP's. With $100K to invest how much would you recommend to put in each of the above managed ETF's. Just want to invest and not look at them until the 7 years are up. I am open to other suggestions?

Q: Good morning,
What are your thoughts on the relatively new VUG ETF, and is there a Canadian equivalent that holds the same or similar stocks as that held in the VUG ETF? Thank you.

Q: Thanks to Lloyd (5ier) and 5i, I purchased this etf for my mom’’s rrif. I purchased it for the 2020 dec 31 maturity date, low(ish) mer, and ok yield. Since purchasing, the etf has changed names twice and may have new owners- Guggenheim-power shares-, invesco. I have noticed that her monthly payments are never the same but not so bothered by that. Will the mer change? Will the maturity date change? What normally happens when paper is shuffled around like this? Is it a bad sign? If I hold to maturity will there be a capital loss?

Q: I am interested in the purchasing Horizon Benchmark ETFs, such as HXS because of the tax advantages. The MER is reasonable at .11% but they charge a swap fee of .30%. I assume that the swap fee added to the MER makes the total fee .41%. This would mean that from a fee perspective VFV is more attractive with an MER of .08%. Given the importance of low fees on total returns will VFV outperform HXS over the long run?

Q: My son was very disappointed with his financial advisor so I have been asked to assist in the setup of a retirement fund that will consist solely of a RRSP for now. He is very hands off right now, but I hope to change that.

I like Vgro for the diversification, automatic rebalancing and low mer. Can you suggest a companion multi factor or rafi global etf for further diversification. I am having difficulty finding something with reasonable daily volume. Thank you.

Q: Hi team, I am looking to add some international diversification to my monthly income portfolio. I am looking for monthly income with some potential for capital appreciation. Do any of these funds overlap with each other? Which of these funds or combination of funds would be best for a non-registered account?
Thanks

Q: Hi, do you think Kweb would be the best ETF to focus on China internet space? if not what would you suggest?

Q: I am very interested in rate reset preferred shares but this feeling not shared with other investment people. What are your thoughts? Suggestions?

Bob

Q: In what order would you rate the following U.S. equities
I am considering adding to a well-diversified portfolio?
IHI IWO XLK XLF KRE VISA
Thank you.

Q: What are your thoughts on VX.US as a means of further diversifying ones portofolio?

Q: Good morning,

Looking for your insights on fixed income strategies in this environment of potentially rising rates. I have reviewed a number of etf 's which have shown negative returns over the last couple of years. Are they any etfs, bond funds or strategies ( ladderred gic's?) that you feel are suited to what may be a new era of gradual interest rate creep.

thank you

Q: Have read websites,(don't rehash) ,your insights into sector and stocks

Q: What are your views on these ETFs? Would this be a good time to buy these ETFs? Is one safer than the other in a broad market downturn?

Q: What would you consider good weightings in a portfolio for the above ETF's? If you were building a fairly aggressive growth portfolio with these as your base what other ETF's would you suggest to get a start on diversifying a bit?

Q: With a large portion of VBAL in fixed income why is the dividend only 1.03%. Is this simply due t the ratio of equity to fixed income or does this fund reinvest some
income or dividends within the fund?