Investment Q&A

Q: My daughter wants to start a TSFA with $5000.00. This will be a long term investment with nothing else added for at least a year or two. She is 24. Would you recommend a couple of stocks or would etf's be the way to go? Which stocks or Etf's would you suggest? Thank you.

Q: Your thoughts on ZEA as a core holding for diversification in my RRSP portfolio??

Q: Hello 5i,
I have been thinking about increasing my allottment to emerging markets funds. I already hold vwo and was wondering whether to just increase that, or whether it would be better to diversify. I would appreciate your thoughts on that question and suggestions as to what might be etf's. I am an Average, moderatly conservative investor, with a good diversification
Thanks

Q: Good Morning
I will appreciate your comments with respect to these two ETFs.
At today's prices are they a buy, hold or sell?
Thanks

Q: Please give opinion on plv as a core holding in a retirement portfolio as compared to balanced mutual funds such as phn maw or others you rate as better options. Thanks Larry

Q: Greetings 5i,

Macro outlook is calling me away from N.A. today. Developing a strategy to take advantage of what looks like an enormous infrastructure and transportation project in China and surrounding countries. This may be old news to some but has popped up on my radar only recently.

"Estimates indicate that Belt and Road infrastructure projects in Asia alone will require investments of US1.7 trillion a year through to 2030" - HSBC

So my question is regarding China's Multi trillion dollar Belt & Road Initiative(Silk Road), what ETF holds companies that would gain significantly from this huge transportation infrastructure project?

Also could you see some simple base metal companies benefiting such as local iron ore company LIF, or a big international like Glencore?

Providing I stay diversified appropriately what is the best way to capture some of this growth?

Cheers!

Q: Peter, I'm interested in some US and/or international exposure to cyber-security companies. I'm aware of the HACK ETF, but believe that it's had some internal business issues (not sure if that makes a difference from my standpoint). Would you suggest HACK as the best/simplest way to get a diversified exposure to that sector? Do you prefer another ETF for this purpose. Or, given the 0.6% MER, perhaps splitting the investment money between, say, three individual companies would be a preferred course. Please advise, and if the latter option is what you would do, please suggest the three companies.

Q: I have a fairly significant position in XBB, but I am not certain exactly how bonds work. I took the position as an alternative to cash. The price has dropped, but with the yield I'm probably about even. I noticed you said at in one answer that there is a broad shift from bonds to equities underway. I wonder if XBB is the best place for me, as I think the bonds held are longer duration. But I understand they are high quality. Maybe I should switch to a laddered bond ETF if you recommend that, to be participate if we see rising rates. If the stock market corrects, do you think the XBB share price will rise, or will it just go down with the market correction? If my XBB will rise in a market correction, maybe I should just stay put, as long as I don't keep losing on the share price too much. Sorry for the somewhat convoluted and confusing question. Any comments will help. Thx

Q: For investments out side N America, particularly for Japan,Switzerland,Germany,France,Small % for U.K. What ETF would you recommend, hedged or non hedged? Thanks. Fooklin

Q: Hi, I am holding EMQQ and VWO. Would it be better to switch to VFV or an India fund ( FIH.n or ZID?) ?
I appreciate your advice. Helen

Q: Could you recommend which Canadian equity ETFs have the best sector balance? I'd like to find something which is not so overweight in financial and material stocks.

Q: I am holding all of these ETFs in fairly equivalent amounts in both TFSA and Cash accounts. I will need to sell some to pay my 2017 tax bill, as the sale of an investment property has me realizing some significant capital gains.

Do you have a recommendation for which ones to sell over others, or would you maintain an equal weighting? These will be long-term investments.

Q: When I try to trade securities listed in Exchanges in Japan, UK, other Europe, bank-owned brokers (RBC-DI and iTRADE) have a hard time giving me a quote. Even if when I get a quote, the have trouble handling my trade. And if they do, the trades incur very high commissions. I understand there are brokers in Canada who do handle international trades, but I do not know who they are.

I am therefore looking for a Japan small-cap ETF of companies that:
- are small or mid-cap (i.e. prefer to avoid the large Japan cartel type orgs); and
- whose sales have a significant export component; and
- which holding a modest number of securities, say 50 or 75 although I suspect I would have to be flexible as to number of holdings given that I am seeking small-caps
- trades in the US or Canada
I skipped currency hedge as requirements (although that would be great)

I have checked online resources but didn’t see ETFs of Japan-based exporters.
I would be thankful if you are able to tell of any ETFs you are able to find.

Q: I recently asked a question regarding VIG. 5I approved but pointed out that SPY had returned 2% better over the last five years. With VIG yielding 2% and SPY yielding 1.85% what is the case for buying VIG over SPY ?

Q: Are there any japanese etf listed in the toronto stock exchange ?

Q: Hi, Looking at HMF for some exposure to Managed Futures for diversification and for an alternative asset somewhat uncorrelated to equities. Wondering your thoughts on this ETF as an option for getting Managed Futures exposure?

My concerns are it has underperformed the benchmark it tracks, net assets appear low and total expenses including trading fees appear high (2.6%).

Would there be any other Mutual Funds or ETF (Canada / USA) you could suggest to get access to Managed Futures? Or alternatively provide your thoughts on Managed Futures strategy in general.

Q: What is your opinion on QYLD for US tech exposure. Management fee is a .60% with a 7.4% yield. I know I'm capping the upside with the covered calls but if there is such a thing as a " Sleep at night " stock in the " tech " sector. Would this be one ? Also for a one stop shop for the rest of the US would VIG be a good choice or do you have another preference ?

Q: What would be the Pros and Cons to invest in a new ETF such as DGRC with a total asset of 1.3m?
Would you rather invest in VDY or CDZ?
Really enjoy the new website
Well done
Sylvain

Q: I am approaching mid 70's and realizing the need for perhaps a more conservative approach in my RRIF portfolio. What percentage of my total holdings would you suggest be put into fixed income? I am a healthy senior with a defined benefit pension. What are your thoughts on the Horizons Active High Yield Bond? Other suggestions?

Q: Hi,

I'm a medium risk investor who needs more world exposure.

1) Can you recommend two CDN and two US ETfs focusing on Europe for the next few years.
2)1) Can you recommend two CDN and two US ETfs focusing on Asia?China for the next few years.
3) If you had to bet on whether Europe or Asia has the advantage in growth and stability for the next few years, which would it be?