Investment Q&A

Q: Could you please analyze this fund and would you recommend it for a long term hold in an rrsp. Do you have any other recommendations in this category,besides the Mawer funds which I can't access through RBC direct? Thanx

Q: I'm looking for recommendations on how best to invest USD 175k sitting in cash since last week. Though tempted by the US buying opportunities, I've been avoiding buying US shares directly due the hassles and costs of US tax exposure. I've only bought 50 shares of ZSP.U so far. Is this a good place to invest more? Can you recommend other good investment vehicles for a non-registered portfolio that will capture US growth/income without currency exchange or US tax?

Q: Your thoughts on the etf HFY at this time.
Thanks,

Q: 5i,
Im looking into investing into the healthcare sector in the US market. What companies would you recommend for growth?

Q: Thanks for the recommendation on XIC. As with many ETFs linked to the Cdn market, it appears to be weighted to financials, energy and materials (~ 65%). If you were to want to cover the Canadian market in a more balanced way (sector-wise) by owning XIC and a few stocks, what stocks would you add on? Please prefer BE stocks. This is for an RRSP with a 30-year horizon. Thanks very much.

Q: Hi 5i Team,
Just want to thank you for the 50% discount on ETF & Fund Update.

The segment on Fixed Income in the January issue is most helpful.
Will be reading more back issues as time permits.

Thanks again!

Q: Vanguard has come out with some total portfolio ETFS and I'm wondering what you think of them. They include a basket of vanguard ETFS, a low MER and are rebalanced regularly. I have two questions:

1. I was thinking of using one for my 2 year old daughters RESP. What are your thoughts on this? And if you like the idea would you go with VGRO or VBAL?

2. I 'm also considering maybe using them for my RRSP in the future as it would be an easy solution. However, you've mentioned before never to have more than 10% in one ETF? So in this case how safe would it be for someone to have their whole RRSP in this? Does the fact that it is made up of underlying ETFS make a difference? If at some point vanguard decided to discontinue the product, what would happen to the money?

Q: For increased international exposure I’m thinking of either VDU or VXUS. To buy VXUS, I would need to convert $C to $US. I currently have approximately 24% of my portfolio in $US, and this conversion would increase that to 28% or so. Which option do you think I should choose?

Q: Hi,
This is a follow up to your answer regarding my original question on Feb 14th regarding ETFs in the US Aerospace and Defense sector. Your answer focused my attention on the expense ratio as the main factor in choosing among ETFs with a similar theme, and you offered that 5 year average returns should also be considered. However, I am wondering if the dividends paid should also be a part of the decision? If yes, then as a general rule, ETF dividends would be considered only if all else is equal? Between the three ETFs, PPA pays .2504, XAR pays .0938 and ITA pays .3205. All are listed as quarterly payments. Thanks for helping out with my learning curve!
Dawn

Q: Is this a good Div ETF US oil/gas energy distribution to remain in? I am down a bit on currency slide in MAV so wish to remain hoping for a lower CAD or simply to remain bec of 8.19% Div, would appreciate your comment

Q: Good morning.... we are 15 years away before we may need to access our RRSP..
We sold all enegy (although would be okay with one "best of class" or ETF)..
I have a solid mix of similar weightings (BCE,BEP.UN,BNS,PBH,ATD.B,FSZ,SJ,GUD SIS). I would like fixed income/US/International exposure...I will be adding XHY..
I am looking for suggestions for either a few ETF you recommend for US/International exposure...keeping in mind we would not need to withdraw for at least 15 years..and if you think should have a minimum of 5% in energy or alternate AI ETF...

Thanks
Matt

Q: Hi guys, I just opened an RESP for my 4 month old and have $5k to invest for his future education. Obviously I have a long term outlook. I'm contemplating buying a single ETF, for example VXC, or a solid dividend paying company, like BNS or ENB. The latter is pretty beaten up so there could be some growth there as well. I hold all 3 mentioned funds/stocks in my RRSP/TFSA mix. Which way would you lean and/or is there a better place to invest right now?
thanks for the great resource guys!
cheers,
Mark

Q: Please give me your opinion of the Manulife Mutifactor ETFs, sub-advised by Dimensional Fund Advisors. Which would you recommend among the Manulife Mutlifactor Int'l Equity ETF (MINT), HXDM, HADM or other International Equity ETF in a taxable account?
Thanks,
Gerry

Q: Hi,
I am thinking that the recent drop may present an opportunity to enter into the US Aerospace & Defense sector at a bit of a discount. Is it better to use ETFs, or choose one or two top rated stocks? I don't know how you compare the costs of ETFs and could use a primer on what to look for / what to avoid when considering them, as I mostly use stocks or debentures.
As always, we appreciate you're thoughts and insight.
Dawn

Q: Do you like this etfs can you please explain the difference between iwo and iwd. Thanks. Alnoor

Q: Hello 5i,
Is there a better alternative to XTR in terms of size, liquidity, MER - or any other measure I am missing?
Thanks!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: The Medical Marijauna space is still in it's infancy....what are you looking at to give it an investment profile to follow in 2018? thank you Van Campbell

Q: Hi Peter et al:
I am looking to invest some money in India. The two etf's that I was able to find are xid and zid. I am looking for mid to large cap value,however BMO states that zid is growth oriented and high risk. I am a subscriber to your etf branch but I couldn't find what I needed there. Also what would you recommend for etf exposure to Europe and the Euro, which I believe will appreciate relative to the cad.
Thanks,
BEN.

Q: 5i:if you look at previous question I really only wanted your opinion on zlfbmo long federal bond etf as a good fit or what other options do you feel more suitable.as part of a fixed income allocation. ?

Q: I am looking to add to HPR because its holdings are predominantly in floating rate or fixed-to-floating rate preferred but am having trouble understanding how sensitive the overall holdings are to rising interest rates. HPR has reacted positively to rising rates over the past six months but negatively over the past few weeks so its hard to judge how it will react to further interest rate increases. Part of the problem is that most of the holdings are fixed-to-floating rate and the period of time before those holdings convert to floating rate. Do you have any thoughts or further information on this?