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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: Good morning,

Looking to clarify with regards to the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation etf's for an rrsp- if one wishes to have a currency effect( vis a vis US: Cdn dollar)they should purchase "VIG, or if looking to hedge and only feel the effects of the equity movements then purchase "VGG"? Also is there an equivalent for the IWO? Looking to add both to my portfolio and looking to see if they are a good complement.

With thanks,
Brad
Brad
Read Answer Asked by Brad on November 04, 2016
Q: I am a conservative, retired, dividend-income investor with a pension, CPP, annuities and a diversified equity portfolio, consisting of 60% stocks and 40% ETFs-Mutual funds.

I currently have 8% of my equity portfolio in REITs, 5% in Sentry Global REIT and the other 3% sourced from portions contained within ZLB, Sentry Cdn Income and RBC Cdn Equity Inc Fund.

Question 1 = What percentage of my asset mix would you currently recommend be allocated to the REIT sector? In the past, I believe you recommended 5%. If I ignore the "portions" discovered by "looking under the hood", I am at 5%. However, the true number is probably 8%.

Q 2 = About a year ago Sentry REIT was combined with Sentry Global REIT. As of Sept 30/16 it was quite global = 43% Cdn, 28% USA, 6% Singapore, 4% each in UK, Australia, France, 3% Spain, 3% Japan, 2% Netherlands, and 2% Hong Kong. I am concerned about the various currency impacts on the performance of the fund. The fund has a 1 year total return of 6.6% to Sept 30, but a -1.25% return YTD. I have held this fund for over 3 years and have averaged > 6%/year, but I am concerned about the currency impacts on future performance. It has a MER of 2.4%. Is it time to sell and move into something like ZRE?

Thanks in advance, Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on November 04, 2016
Q: Hello 5i team,
I would like to purchase a few REITS through my RRSP account since I currently have non. I was thinking of purchasing one of the listed REITs that you suggested in a previous question and maybe an ETF (if they exist).

Of the REITs (CSH, HR, CAR) which one has the best dividend/growth? I figured a REIT that goes across the country would be the best.

Also do REIT ETFs exist? If so are there some that possible cover commercial properties only?

Thank you,
Andrew
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on November 02, 2016
Q: Hi 5i. In April of 2015, you discussed Cdn Dividend ETF's, and suggested that because CDZ (iShares Cdn Div Aristocrats) focused on Co's that regularly increase dividends, that it outperforms other Cdn. Div. ETF's, particularly over the long term.
Do you still consider this view to be valid, particularly as it compares to XDV (iShares Cdn. Select Div. ETF) and ZDV (BMO Cdn. Div. ETF). Thanks T.
Read Answer Asked by Terrance on November 02, 2016
Q: Hi guys,

My portfolio is $500,000 with $450,000 in equities and $50,000 in fixed income. I just changed my asset allocation from 100% equities to 90% equities and 10% fixed income. I have $50,000 cash to invest in fixed income and I put my first tranche of $10,000 in CPD for the yield and to gain from rising rates if and when they occur. I was reading some previous questions and you talked about having ETFs as a minimum 5% weighting because of the number of securities they hold. In this case with CPD, it is currently 2% and I will add to it as opportunities arise. I debated splitting the 5% between CPD (3%) and HPR (2%), which is an active traded preferred share fund. Is this recommended for a total weighting of 5% in preferred shares or should I just stick to CPD. My other 5% weighting will be in a laddered corporate bond ETF since I think it provides better protection against rising rates that a government bond ETF and also has a better yield. Agree?

Thanks for your help,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on November 02, 2016
Q: I'd like to start a long term position in at least one or two healthcare stocks or ETFs, but the sector looks treacherous and I can't quite decide. I'm considering a wide range of names, including companies like JNJ, PFE, AMGN, NVO, NVS, RHHBY, MDT and ETFs like XLV, IBB and especially IHI (medical devices). I've read many of your prior comments, including one where you recommended AMGN. In light of the latest news about AMGN and its issues with Enbrel, I'm curious to know if your opinion has changed, and how you might compare it to NVS which has a competing drug. Mainly I'm wondering if any of the investments I listed sound promising, and how you might rank them. Thanks very much for your thoughts.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on November 01, 2016
Q: I'm currently 50% in cash (although understandably I shouldn't be). I am contemplating allocating 70% of my entire portfolio to the Balanced equity model to represent Canada and the remainder (30%) to Vanguard's total market US market ETF - VUN.TO. In the past I have tried to stock pick myself using some suggestions from this site and have not come anywhere close to the performance you have achieved with the Balanced Equity model. What is your opinion on the 70% CAD market and 30% US market allocation? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on October 28, 2016
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