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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: My understanding of options is not very good other than the basics. Is ZPW a bull play or bear play on the market ? Part of me thinks that a put means a bear play but if the market goes up the put expires worthless and the fund collects the premium. So could you explain what conditions favour this ETF over one like ZWH which uses a call strategy ? What is the difference between how a rising, flat, or falling market will effect these two ETF's ? I notice ZPW has a slightly higher yield. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Garth on September 05, 2017
Q: Hi Peter,

ZEB & ZBK were recommendatons in August to cover Banks.
1. Is this strategy valid today for an RRSP (1/2-full position) or would you opt for direct investment in TD/BNS instead of ZEB (based on concerns with BMO and Royal).
2. Is another option for US banks recommended?

Thank you
Jerry & Debbie
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on September 05, 2017
Q: Both FEZ and XEU follow similar European stock indexes. Over the last year, they basically tracked each other. However, since May, FEZ has been relatively flat at $40 US, while XEU has dropped by about $2 from $25 to $23 Can. The divergence is difficult to understand, but I assume it is mostly due to three currencies being involved - the Euro, $C and $US. My question is which is the better investment for a Canadian investor given that XEU seems to be going in the wrong direction?
Read Answer Asked by Ken on September 01, 2017
Q: Hi Peter: I currently hold ZWH in my rrsp and as it is the only U.S. exposure that I have, am wondering what you else you would suggest as a compliment to it. ZWH currently is 6 % of my overall portfolio. I am looking for something of a moderate risk to hold for 3-5 years or longer.

Thanks, David
Read Answer Asked by david on August 31, 2017
Q: Greetings 5i,

I realize that you do not technically cover American stocks, but would value your opinion on this matter if possible.

I currently hold TPU.TO (slightly more than a half position), as well as a larger position (slightly more than my other "full positions") in BRK.B (held in US dollars). I am 36 years old, conservative, and greatly prefer long term holds.

My question is two-fold, so please deduct two credits if you deem it appropriate. First, given the enormity of BRK, as well as its ability to often outperform the S&P 500, do you feel as if both should be owned for broad American exposure, or would a single, consolidated position in BRK be more appropriate (I essentially look at BRK as a very low cost mutual fund)?

Second, if you feel that owning both BRK and an S&P 500 ETF is beneficial, would you recommend holding the ETF in Canadian or American dollars? If the latter, could you suggest a suitable US dollar replacement for TPU?

At present, these two holdings are my only direct exposure to US Equity (I also have XHY for US bond exposure), although I am planning to add a few single positions over the next year or so.

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on August 29, 2017
Q: I am slowly building the BE portfolio in my RRSP as funds become available. For instant diversification, would it make sense to own 20-30% ZDV for access to bigger names like BNS, ENB, MG, T, MX, CGX and SLF? Basically Financials, Energy and Utilities would be covered. I could then concentrate on adding the smaller names like SIS, PBH, GUD, ENGH, TOY for the remainder of the portfolio? Would it defeat the essence of the BE portfolio? Any other ETF would be better? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Bernard on August 28, 2017
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