Investment Q&A

Q: I am setting up an all ETF portfolio for a 20 yr plus holding period and I have a two-part question. The first part concerns the makeup of the Canadian/US component. Is it better to go with a combination of SPY and XIC or would including CDZ and VIG provide stability and perhaps a bit more growth to the mix (keeping in mind that I intend to hold at least 5% of each but don't need income yet)?

Secondly, I am looking for higher risk assets for my TFSA. I was thinking of IWO. I know that there are specialized sectors I could include but I looking for a fairly hands-off approach. Do you think this approach would serve me well - I know that it is only one asset type - or is there a better mix out there that would still be quite manageable?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Hi,
What would be your choice for Europe, Japan, Emerging Markets ETF’s?
Thx Chris

Q: What are the differences between these two and which do you prefer for overall exposure to emerging markets? Is there a better vehicle than either of these for emerging markets?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I have US$ in my RIF that I would like to invest defensively given general high valuations and the potential for a correction. Would VIG and VIGI be good choices or would you have other suggestions. Thanks for the help. Doug

Q: Hi Peter and Team,
I have some cash sitting in a US account that I want to leave on the sidelines for now. I was thinking I should put this in something that gives me a bit of return but won't crash with markets if they crash. Is there a good proxy for cash that provides some yield that you can suggest which would be US Dollar denominated?

Thanks,

Marc

Q: Hi.
Looking for ETF exposure to CDN junior and intermediate sized oil weighted producers and wondering what your favourite pick is. I went through the screening process in a couple of my brokerage accounts but did not find anything that stimulated a buy decision. If you could also offer up your top 3-4 individual stock picks that would meet the criteria that would be appreciated- I might just make my own "mini-fund" instead.
Best Regards

Q: Hello Peter and team,
Ishares and Vanguard both have world Ex Canada ETFs that are 50% U.S.and 50% everything else. Is there an advantage to owning US and International ETFS separately that can be rebalanced, or is a product like this a good one as there are less fees incurred to buy and sell? Do the managers of the EX Canada ETFs rebalance their holdings? Thank you.

Q: I am interested in dipping my toe into stocks in the artificial intelligence and internet of things field. Do any stocks with large growth potential jump right out at you? I am prepared to be patient. Thanks
John

Q: Hi & thank you for continued sound advise.

I'm a Balance/Growth Investor with ~ 30% Fixed Income.

- Current Fixed Income: XBB (30%), CBO (40%), CPD (15%), XHY (15%).
- Planned Fixed Income: MMF659 (70%), CPD (15%), XHY (15%).

Reasons for change:
- Tired of poor returns of CBO, XBB.
- Want more diversifies (USA, INT) fixed income securities.
- The ~ 1% MMF659 MER seems worth it based on 6.23% compound return since inception [2005-11-25].

Haven't held a Mutual Fund in 8 years, but... Yours thoughts would be welcomed here. Thank you!

Paul

Q: Hello,
I am in the process of taking over my mother's portfolio and getting her out of mutual funds. She likes the idea of ETF's to reduce risk vs: specific stocks. What would your top 4-6 ETF's be for a sleep at night portfolio that is well diversified globally and covers all sectors, time range 20 years? Starting portfolio value $750,000 cash by the end of January. Also how would you intelligently step into these ETF's as the markets could be positioned for a correction sometime this year?
Thank you

Q: What would your choice be between ZRE and BEP.UN. It would be held in a TFSA for income and growth and stability.

Q: Would you pick CUD or VGG or is there another alternative that you prefer? Would you switch from one to the other?

Q: Thinking of purchasing VGK for my RSP. Is it also exempt from withholding taxes as per US / Canada tax treaty?

Q: I am currently setting up my portfolio with 30% allocated to fixed income. With bond yelds being quite low, as well as the risk of capital erosion with rising interest rates, can you provide some advise on how i should structure the fixed income portion. What alternatives should i use? Should rate reset preferreds be part of this portion? Thank you

Q: I noticed that you have recommended VGK for European exposure. Would you prefer this over a hedged product such as HEDJ? Is there a Canadian dollar vehicle that you could recommend, and is there a C$ hedged one? Thanks

Q: Hi Peter and Ryan,

I am wanting to invest in emerging markets and I am been comparing the mawer fund for emerging markets with a mer of 1.60 to VEE the etf, with a mer of .23.
Is the high mer worth it for the active management?
Other aspects of these options that I have been comparing is the holdings, Maw160 has 36 holdings and VEE has 4726 ,tracting the index.
Do you have any other suggestions for emerging markets?
Thank you for this valuable service,
Susan

Q: Hi 5i Team,

In the prospectus for the Horizons ROBO ETF, under Redemption of Units, it says:

"In addition to the ability to sell Units of the ETF on the TSX, Unitholders of the ETF may redeem Units for cash at a redemption price per Unit equal to 95% of the closing price for the Units on the TSX on the effective day of the redemption, where the Units being redeemed are not equal to a PNU or a multiple PNU.
Because Unitholders will generally be able to sell Units at the market price on the TSX through a registered broker or dealer, subject only to customary brokerage commissions, Unitholders are advised to consult their brokers, dealers or investment advisors before redeeming their Units for cash."

I find this confusing, and want to understand the redemption process before buying any units.

I don't understand why I could redeem units for cash and get only 95% of the closing price on that day. Why not 100%?

In the second paragraph it states that although I can sell units at the market price on the TSX that I should consult my broker before redeeming units for cash. Isn't selling the units at market price on the TSX giving me 100% cash? I don't understand why I need to advise my broker when I want to sell. Can't I just place the order myself? Can you explain that.

Paul

Q: Hi All at 5i! Could you tell me what the difference in holdings are in these broad ETF S ..which would be the better to hold for the best broad exposure ? And a second question ..could you suggest a Us Money Market ETF. Thanks, Tamara

Q: Happy New Year Peter and team.
I keep hearing that US Banks will do great in 2018 and am switching from ZWH to ZUB in my RIF where I have a 8.4% weighting. Is this a good strategy or do you have other ideas and why?

Q: Good Morning
From the following etfs which one do you recommend for exposure to GOLD bullion? And Why?

CGL
GLD
CEF.A
IAU

Do you have any other suggestions for exposure to gold bullion?
Thank you