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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 All at 5i! I would like to invest in a broad ETF ( in Canadian dollars) Which covers the US market, and one that covers emerging markets. Could you give me your choices and why. Thank you for all you do especially your hand holding when I am feeling a little unsure of what I am doing. You make my learning curve in the world of investing a little smoother!! Cheers, Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on January 23, 2018
Q: I have a well diversified portfolio in Canada. I have little direct exposure to the US market but I have about $25k in a US cash account right now. I have about a 5 year horizon when I believe I will have to close this account. I am interested in buying some companies or ETFs that are difficult to cover with my Canadian holdings. Could you please name 3 ETFs/Companies for a fairly conservative but not completely risk averse investor to check out.
Thank you for your invaluable help.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on January 23, 2018
Q: Hi,

Thank you for your valued advice and also fantastic job with the new site as well.

I am looking to diversify my portfolio to the SE Asian market through my TFSA account. I am unfamiliar with investing outside of Canada and am hoping for some advice. In order to alleviate risk, I am looking at the above mentioned 3 ETF's. If you could please provide your input on each of these ETF's it would be appreciated. If you have any alternative suggestions on how to enter SE Asian markets, please let me know. Your input is appreciated.

Thank you,

Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 23, 2018
Q: Good morning 5i,
There has been a lot of discussion lately regarding fixed income. Many, like me I suppose, are beginning to think about "de-risking" their portfolios. I would appreciate your thoughts on this de-risking venture. Would one, for example, be better to put all of their risky money in the stock market and in very save bonds such as like XBB and VAB. That is oppossed to something like PMIF, which may not be de-risking your money at all?
thanks as always
Read Answer Asked by joseph on January 23, 2018
Q: Thank you for your answer on my question/comment on ETF.
I had missed to mention why I am uncomfortable with this passive investing trend. The markets over many years has been acustomed to this type of "investment du jour" but there is something special to ETF that I forgot to say and why I think it is important.
ETF are among many other qualities supposed to be providing valuable diversity . You did not provided a comment on my question about what I call the tail wagging the dog. If I am right and I do not know if I am (hence my question), then there is NO diversity about buying an ETF as it will behave like a stock and they will force down or up the undervalued securities.
Te ETF's that I buy have an extremly narrow scope and are more induced to react to the underlying ebb and flow value of the underlying asset they are suppose tyo represent than the other way around.
Your comment on this question (very important for me as one of my major belief is into diversification) will be appreciated and if it is too long or irrelevant, please simply keep it private
Read Answer Asked by claude on January 23, 2018
Q: Hello 5i. Just wondered if you had seen the article on this topic in the Globe & Mail over the weekend. What it suggests is that dividends from US-listed ETFs held in an RRSP account are not subject to US taxes. However, the article states that this is not the case for dividends paid by Canadian-listed ETFs that invest in US stocks. In this case, dividends ARE subject to US withholding taxes, even if the ETF is held in an RRSP account. The article goes on to say that these taxes cannot be recovered. (Same situation would apply to mutual funds.)

Assuming the article got this, I'm not sure that all ETF investors are aware of this nuance.
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on January 23, 2018
Q: Which of these do you think is 'better', in terms of dividend sustainability and overall long-term total return (I know you would prefer VGG/VIG to both)? I like the value tilt of PUD.B (P/E ratio less than that of XDU and broad US market), but it is an expensive ETF, with a MER of 0.67 compared to 0.14 for XDU. Do you think the extra MER is worth it? In a market downturn, of course both will suffer, but do you think PUD.B might perform a bit better? Currently, I hold a bit of both, should I continue to hold both or just pick one (and if one, which one?) This is for a longterm hold. I am comfortable with the relatively small (but growing) assets under management of XDU. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Walter on January 23, 2018
Q: Hi 5I, in view of future interest rate increases I am looking for investment with some income and protecting my capital. I would like your help in assessing the above, Also, please rate them, perhaps suggesting better ones. Many thanks , J.A.P Burlington, on.
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on January 22, 2018
Q: As small investors, we are constantly urged (John DeGoey even pleads) that we diversify out of Canada via ETF/mutual funds but far less is said about the tax implications on investment return of the recommendations. Let's say one wants to invest new funds in mutual/ETF funds that are tax efficient. Because of contribution limit rules on TFSA/RSP/RIF, someone wants to add to their regular Canadian trading account instead. I understand at least one fund co. uses swaps so you postpone tax until you sell thereby avoiding annual dividend and unpredictable capital distributions. At least you then have some control over tax exposure timing and amount. Realize this not the forum for comprehensive answer (designing such a portfolio good topic for one of your newsletters), but can you advise of of some high quality fund managers/funds that offer tax advantaged products? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 22, 2018
Q: Hi there,
I have been thinking about hedging my portfolio against a downturn and want to explore ETFs that are bearish on the market. I would appreciate thoughts about any Canadian or International ETFs you might point me to for further research. I would be looking at starting with a small position for now. And, I would also appreciate any other thoughts you might have about insulating a portfolio against the inevitable correction.
Thanks very much, I appreciate the service you provide and just renewed again.
Read Answer Asked by Erna on January 22, 2018
Q: Hi 5i team,

Enjoy reading the blog on power of dividend growth stocks. I want to invest in US, Europe and Emerging Market. Would investing in ETFs that track dividend growth stocks be better than the overall indexes?
Please provide your ETFs picks, in US$ and in C$, that invest in dividend growth stocks in US, dividend growth stocks in Europe and dividend growth stocks in Emerging Market. Would these etfs be best held in RRSP account? Thanks.

Read Answer Asked by Willie on January 22, 2018
Q: I'm looking for investment vehicles that offer reasonable monthly income with the possiblity of some capital gain. I have chosen PMIF And PLV as possibilities. I would appreciate your opinion regarding the quality of the ETF'S. Safety and professional management being important to me. If there are other possibilities that you favour please indicate them.
Read Answer Asked by Les on January 22, 2018
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