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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: I've held this ETF for 2-1/2 years, its up about 40%. I purchased it initially as a US dollar holding not subject to US estate tax exposure. With Trump doubling the estate value amount before those taxes kick in, for now, thats no longer a concern. For future buys, is there a better US dollar ETF you'd recommend - lower MER and/or better growth, safety?
Read Answer Asked by Lloyd on July 26, 2018
Q: In order to get us exposure, I currently hold a number of individual canadian companies with us operations, e.g. aqn, td, bpy.un and etfs txf and zwu. In addition, I hold about 10% of my portfolio in zwh. I am not unhappy with the latter, but am considering reducing the 10% exposure with something other than a covered call approach. What would you consider appropriate, preferably hedged, to pair with zwh to achieve a more balanced approach to the us portion of my portfolio.

Thanks for the great service.
David
Read Answer Asked by david on July 25, 2018
Q: Hello 5i team,
I'm thinking in investing in Preferred shares; to that end and for starters, I examined the CPD chart from 2008 to date.
I noticed that the share value dropped by 25% in the 2008-09 recession; I can understand that. But it also dropped by 25% in 2015; could you please enlighten me as to why?
Could you please explain the pros & cons of investing in a preferred ETF versus in particular preferred shares?
Thanks,
Antoine
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on July 25, 2018
Q: I'd like to add some U.S. and emerging markets exposure into my TSFA. Could you please recommend a couple of ETF's (or other investment options) that would help me accomplish this. Thanks

Dave
Read Answer Asked by David on July 25, 2018
Q: Hello Peter,
If i want exposure to China, would you suggest the following ETFs: CQQQ, FXI, MCHI, and XCH (on toronto ) or are there better ones out there? Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by umedali on July 24, 2018
Q: Hi Peter/Ryan,
Rob Wessel from Hamilton Capital was on BNN and he was speaking about non-Cdn financials and his funds. We own 90% Cdn stocks including TD, BNS, SLF, MLF, FFH, GSY all at ~4% each. The 10% non-Cdn holdings are in US industrials and tech. Would any of the above BMO or Hamilton funds or another Bank interest you as an addition to or as a substitution for our current holdings ?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on July 23, 2018
Q: Greetings 5i,

My question is twofold, so please deduct two credits if you see fit.

Given its obvious importance, I am looking to gain exposure to the theme of sustainable water management. My research has led me to XYL as a potential single position, or to PHO as an ETF option. This addition would be weighted as a full position (5%), and would be held long-term (likely 10-20 years).

I am 36 years old, debt-free, and relatively conservative. My investment portfolio is solely for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I will have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future.

Given my situation, would you favour a single position such as XLY, or would an ETF seem more appropriate at this time? Furthermore, do you feel as if XLY and PHO are indeed strong representations of the water theme, or is there another option you might suggest?

Thank you.

Read Answer Asked by Lucas on July 23, 2018
Q: Good Afternoon
Can you recommend any Canadian ETFs that cover the US and Global Technology besides QQQ, hedged and unhedged and preferrably being actively managed with low fees?
Thanks
Ron
Read Answer Asked by Ron on July 23, 2018
Q: Hi 5iR Team, I have been trying to compile a list of the top performing US ETF's. However, many people put various criteria in attempting to rank ETF's and in general others just disagree with one list vs another. So, could you give me the top 10 US ETF's based solely on 52 week change. What was the fund worth July 23/17 and what is it worth today. Thanks. Chris
Read Answer Asked by Chris on July 23, 2018
Q: Can you advise as to a hands off type of income fund or etf that is most likely not to return capital.should these be avoided to have a more accurate income with less year end adjustment for tax purposes? Do you think the vanguard ones as per vbal would most likely do this?I have held xtr in the past and it does need to ret.cap. to keep up with the high yield. Any reflection on this and suggestions greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Larry on July 23, 2018
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

In your answer to Michael, you said: "We think XTR is a good option in either account, considering its income focus and very low fees."

According to the Blackrock website, XTR has a M.E.R. of 0.62%. Because it's an ETF of other ETFs, is 0.62% considered to be "very low fees"?

Thanks in advance. I'm continuing to learn so much from 5i.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on July 20, 2018
Q: Hi team
I have some money in XTR and FIE, both etf for income in my RRSP
which I am happy about

in my non registered account
I am looking for an income/dividend fund Canadian
and an international income/ dividend fund

would you recommend anything in the Royal Bank family of mutual funds for the
above ?
or an equivalent ETF
I have VIG already

many thanks

Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on July 20, 2018
Q: Your recommended etf list has xwd. It has a higher mer than xaw and is somewhat smaller. The return of xwd is better. What would you consider the more conservative etf?

I will pair one of the above with xic for my total equity exposure. I want to keep things simple. Can you buy into this strategy?
Read Answer Asked by Richard on July 20, 2018