skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Good morning, my US equity is entirely in ZWH, VGG, and VIG. Each about 5% of total portfolio. Monthly income from ZWH is convenient for RRIF withdrawals (over 80) but both VIG and VGG have significantly outperformed ZWH over at least the last 2 years. I am thinking of disposing of the ZWH (covered call ETF) and using equal amounts of VGG and VIG to total 15% of portfolio. I have available $US cash to do so. Any other ideas for US equity exposure are welcome.

Regards Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on July 30, 2018
Q: My portfolio lacks a serious commitment to technology although it is reasonably well balanced across the remaining sectors emphasizing a conservative income approach. To address the tech sector, I thought I would start easy, as it were, by investing in either ZQQ or XQQ. For an investor in his mid seventies, with a low comfort level in most things tech, that would appear to me to be the way to go. Appreciate your view.
Thank you.
Geoff
Read Answer Asked by Geoffrey on July 30, 2018
Q: Hi,
Is there an ETF that holds only a higher concentration of the FAANG stocks? I looked at the FNG but it does not seem to hold FB (could only find top 10 holdings). I’d like exposure to these growth names and maybe now good time to start a position with the declines in Netflix, and FB.
Thanks,
K.
Read Answer Asked by KERRI on July 26, 2018
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