Investment Q&A

Q: I’m thinking of selling all of my equities and buying market index ETFs instead.

I am wondering what are the risks of ETFs. I am aware of the risks inherent with investing in them with regards to NAV, diversification, etc.

What about the risks of the company that manages the ETF defaulting?

What about the risk of a run on the ETF where everybody wants to take out their money at the same time?

In the past, I invested in XSB and XLB in place of bonds. I must say it’s been rather a disaster since Covid. They reduced in value more than Bonds did during Covid. They were not recovering as bonds did when interest rates were increased. Nor were their interest rates as high as bonds were.

I have concerns that market index ETFs may have similar risks. Can you comment on these?

Thank you.

Q: What are your thoughts on BITCOIN. What is best way to play it or is there one.? I do not understand the future of Bitcoin Who uses it ? Do countries use it, do Corporations use it. Do Banks use it ? What is benefit of using it,

I know criminals use it extortion payments Trump and Harris were backing it. Was this because 80,000,000 U S Residents use it so they were both saying Yes to get their vote ?

RAK

Q: I have enough US cash to fund 5 -6 years of planned withdrawals. The rest of the Portfolio is equity that I will hold for the noted term.
Looking for an ETF that will pay out monthly to cash flow the payout. Your suggestions ? Should I convert to Canadian dollars at the outset and invest in Canadian ?

Q: I would appreciate you explain in clear and vulgar words in what consists exactly this etf, its interaction with the nvda stock and in which circumstances it could be envisaged to buy some parts.

I thank you very much in advance

Q: Can you share your top picks for Canadian and US ETF's that would cover the relevant sectors (e.g. tech, industrials etc.)? Please take as many credits to answer this as required.

Q: My daughter has a, no work, portfolio of these three ETFs and has averaged 24% for the past two and a half years. I have done only slightly better with my DIY portfolio - mainly thanks to you. With Trump gaining the White House would it be better to load up on VFV rather than XIC. Currently it is VFV 40&, XIC 40%, QQQ 20%.

Q: Hi Peter,
If one believes the Canadian dollar is going to be weak against the US$ for the next few years, when one buy US index ETFs like S&P 500 listed on the TSE, is it better to get the hedged or unhedged version and the reasoning behind.
Thanks.

Q: What do you think about this ETF for a 3-year hold?

Q: Which one do you prefer? Thanks.

Q: What is the difference between these two and which do you like better?

Q: Hello 5i,
We have CDN and US funds in our RRSP’s and TFSA’s, no pensions, income is CPP and OAS only, + RRSP withdraws.

We are looking at placing funds needed for the next 3 years into less volatile environment with a yield of 4%-5%. We have laddered GIC's and PSA for CDN funds and are looking for something similar in US funds. Our equities (stocks and ETF's) would remain in place though each year we would sell some stocks and purchase short-term ETF’s to retain a 3-year comfort zone. This allows us to retain higher risk equities in a longer time-frame in case of a large drawback.

Some examples we found were IGSB, BIL, VGLT, VCIT, VCSH, AGG, IEF. Do you have any recommendations? What are your thoughts on long-term Treasuries with a Trump win? Dump and run?

Thank you for your service.

D&J

Q: As I’m running low on time to spend on investing, I’m thinking of selling all of my equities and buying ETFs instead. I’m considering the following ETFs in a 1:1:1:1 distribution.

XIC
XUU
XEF
ZEM

Could you please give me the pros and cons of these ETFs, and alternatives if you feel there are any that are better.

Thank you very much for your service.

Q: Hi 5i Team,
I am thinking of adding ZPH to a diversified income focused portfolio.

In these volatile markets when would one become over-weight on this holding and what market conditions would make a person reduce their weighting?

Thanks for the Great Service!

Q: In considering these two stocks, which would your prefer to invest a small amount in?
Thanks.

Q: Given the expected economic/market conditions over the next 5+ year horizon, if you were to look into your crystal ball, would XBB be a good solid bond fund to hold for one’s safer investments ?

Q: I consider a full equity position to be 5% in my RRSP and I am pretty strict with trimming to keep the balance. What % would you use for an ETF in a mix of equities and ETF's?

Q: My son moved to the USA a few years ago and has opened a Roth IRA upon which I am advising him. He holds the ETFs listed above. I have two questions upon which I would appreciate your advice. In which order of preference would you add to the existing holdings? And can you suggest two additional ETFs to complement the current holdings?

Q: Hi guys,

I have a balance"ish" type of portfolio (mostly all 5i balance/growth stocks). Since the U.S. elections are over, would 5i recommend participating in the bitcoin sector, or is it still too risky for a balance portfolio? Please provide recommendations (etfs or companies), should you like this idea.
Thanks
Jim

Q: Hello,
Horizons used to have a series of funds, designed for non-reg accounts, that reflected any income as capital gains, as they lowered the cost base with each recognition of 'income.' I believe they changed their name to Global X, but I was hoping you might be able to offer a couple funds for some growth potential. Canadian funds would be preferred, but if U.S. denominated are better, I would appreciate knowing those as well.

Q: I am still toying with RRSP strategies - I have about 50% of my RRSP in US funds and 50% in Canadian funds. I plan on starting to draw my RRSP down in January and need about an 8% annual return, including dividends and growth for the next 10 years. I have slowly been rolling my Canadian side toward your income portfolio, and am about half-way there. On the US side, I hold the above positions. What are your thoughts on the following - mirroring your income portfolio with the Canadian side, and on the US side hold a combination of ETF's/Equities, or just ETF's. I have been actively growing my RRSP (with success thanks!) But hope to be able to spend less time on it once I retire. The above idea means, for the Cdn side, I can continue to follow your moves on the income portfolio. For the US side, I will continue to monitor/rebalance, but I don’t want it to be a daily task - please suggest a tactic, including whether to mix equities/ETF's, or just go to one or a few ETF's, and please suggest holdings in either tactic. Thanks!