Investment Q&A

Q: Can you please recommend few TITANIUM stocks or ETF.

Q: I've been looking for an ETF that covers the Blockchain space. BLOK.N from Amplify looks interesting as a managed ETF. This should be much safer that trying to play on the Cryptocurrency side. I'm in the technology space (software) and sort of the exponential growth of unstructured data we now create, I have not seen such a transformational new technology such as Blockchain.

https://www.amplifyetfs.com/blok

Q: Hi,
We need some help with revamping our health care stock strategy. Money not needed for 10 -15 years. Our health care stocks are SIS, GUD, Gilead, and PLI. We are underwater on all except SIS (thx it's been a great performer). I'd like to sell Gilead (owned for about 3-4 years and down 20%) and come up with a better US$ pick since there are so many more options in the states. What would be your best suggestion?
Thanks,
Kerri

Q: Hi,
I'm wondering about this IPO, primarily for it's focus on industries / sectors I feel will provide future growth. However, I have concerns over some of the wording in the prospectus and feel this may just be a 'flyer', as opposed to a trust unit opportunity. It is slated to begin trading under the ticker BL.UN and think it may be worth waiting to see how the IPO goes, before trying to assess its potential. I am wondering if you could offer any thoughts on it, as I have come to value your insight very much and certainly have benefited with your recommendation of NVDA as a stock focused on the future of AI. If your view is that there is a better approach through a selection of stocks or ETFs (such as ROBO or ARKW), then feel free to redirect my attention.

As always, I look forward to your thoughts.

Thanks,
Dawn

Q: Hi,

My web brokerage rates XIT as hi risk and lo reward. When I look at its performance over the short or long term it has underperformed its peers. What do you think it as a long term hold? Is there another tech ETF you'd prefer as I'm not good at high volatility?

Q: I recently asked a question asking for guidance regarding the need to buy an ETF that would give me exposure to the world outside of the United States. You suggested VXUS but it has to be purchased in U.S. dollars. Is there a similar product I can buy in Can. $?
Also, if I were to buy VXUS, what kind of exposure would I be getting? i.e. how much exposure to the different areas of the world? Asia? Europe? Other areas?
Again, how exceptional I can access your guidance this way. Many thanks.

Q: I have visited the Pimco website but am still unable to get a clear understanding of the holdings of the Pimco High Income Fund ( PHK:US). In your opinion, in general, would this fund be suitable for a retired senior? The income is high but does it come at a price to risk?
Thank you for considering my question.

Q: Can you give me your take on MIND. Are there any other AI companies you like?

Q: Hi there, a follow up to my previous question: you suggested IWO and VSS - were there any ETFs listed on the TSX that would be equivalent? Thank you!

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

Q: Hi 5i Team,
Are there any unhedged etfs similar to ZQQ, ZUH and ZDJ?
Thanks
Henry

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for US fixed income given the likelihood of 1-3 interest rate increases this year?

Thanks.

Q: 1. In a rising interest rate environment is a convertible bond fund better to hold than other bond funds like xbb, cbo or clf?

2. What would you suggest for the best combination of protection I.e safety and income?

Thanks.

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.