Investment Q&A

Q: Hello: If you were to pick ETF's today for an RRSP, one to cover Europe and another the US, what would your choice be? Large-medium-small cap at this point would make very little difference. They would be for a long term hold.

Thanks, Brian

Q: Realizing that this is new and its hard to evaluate. What is your opinion. Thanks

Q: I have topped up my TFSA to the full allotted amount (since 2009) and am now ready to invest it in a simple way. What are your thoughts about an equal weighting in xiu, spy, vgk, vpl, vwo and xlu?
Thanks
Jan

Q: Boulder Income Fund - Would you recomment this fund considering its discount ot NAV and dividend and diversification. This would for 50% of US holding peortion. Or you have other recommendations.
Thanks

Q: Hi 5i. I was interested in your reply today to Shyam regarding XLV, where you noted that it has had "better performance of late". My records show that XLV price has dropped steadily over the last 3 months by 6%.
This leads me to my question : We hold XLV and PSCH (Powershare Small cap Healthcare ETF) in our non-registered account (< 2% of our total equities). Our cap gains on these have been reduced from 15.8% to 8.9% (XLV), and 14% to 9.7% (PSCH) respectively over the last 3 months.
My theory is that these will continue to drop as we get ever-closer to the U.S. election. I am thinking of selling both of these ETF's while they still give us a reasonable profit of approx. 9 and 10% respectively, and then waiting out the election fallout before deciding whether to get back into Healthcare.
We would appreciate your comments. Thanks T.
p.s. PSCH did not come up in the "companies" list

Q: For tax purposes, in which account should I hold ZWU ETF by order of preference, Direct trading, TFSA, RRSP?

Thanks for your honest services.

Bob

Q: I am considering one of Vanguards developed Asian Pacific developed countries etf. They are vah or veh. veh is hedged. Which do you prefer for a 5 year hold? I am a conservative investor and I am some what concerned about the Canadian dollar. Which would give the better performance over the indicated time frame? Thanx.

Q: Hi, My current exposure to the health care sector is less than 2%. I am considering increasing my position to approximately 5% by means of etf (I currently own GUD and GILD approx 1% each). I am considering XLV or IBB for etfs. Which of these (or) any other etf you would recommend? I noted that IBB seems more volatile than XLV when I compared them..I was wondering why?

Q: Hello 5i
Would you please offer your opinion of a few individual holdings and other investment vehicles worthy of long-time hold and more importantly dividend reinvestment. I see your a selction of ETF you have been noting are VGG(for USA) and CDZ(for Cad). Is this the top idea or are there other ideas (individually or combination of holdings)?
The goal is to take advantage of the market ride and still feel comfortable with the investments and know more of a good investment is being purchased regularly.

Alternatively, would one just let cash build up and buy shares and units on a quarterly basis instead of utilizing a DRIP?

By example, just bought CAR.UN today. Working to determine whether it makes sense to join the drip; especially with the 5% discount of the Plan.

Thanks for your thoughts
Dave

Q: I read an article in the Globe and Mail by someone named Bryden Teich in which he predicted that the lack of liquidity in the corporate bond market would cause bond ETFs to tank at dizzying rates in a market panic. Is there anything to this, and if so, how would it impact popular bond ETFs such as CBO, XSB, and XBB, and what would be the long term effect?

Q: What investments would yield income with some safety(conservative)?
Was thinking of ZWH or XTR?

Q: There is a coffee ETN trading in the US under the symbol JO.

Q: Hello, I am reading there may be increased money flow back into agriculture, besides these two etfs, do you recommend any Canadian etfs/stocks that may provide similar exposure. Would it be better to stick with these with the added benefit of a possibly strengthening US dollar?

Q: I just sold about $5,000.00 in stocks inside my TFSA, with a little profit of $500.00 over the period of 8 months. I did it so I can add it to my self directed RRSP account to lower my taxes this year. In my RRSP I own approx 20% oil,15% financial, 10% utilities, 10% auto, 5% marijuana and the rest is in CDZ. I want to diversify this portfolio. It accounts for 75% of my investments. I am considering a REIT and some technology. What do you recommend?

Q: Our advisor has recommended that we sell some of our equities and purchase more fixed income funds. His recommendations are Manulife Strategic Income F (CAD); TD Retirement Balanced Portfolio F Series; Fiera Defensive Capital Global Equtiy Fund and Lysander-Canso Corporate Value Bond Fund. We are already invested in Pimco Monthly Income Fund (PMO 205), DFA Five-Year Global Equity and CBO. We are leaning in favour of investments we already own as well as XSB, XBB and CLF. We are looking for Canadian, US and International diversification. What would you recommend?

Q: Hello 5i team,

Which ETF is best suited for a long term hold (30 yrs) in a TFSA that will be DRIPPED and contributed to annually. I like the equal weight positions of ZRE but with a higher MER of .61% over the long term it seems the fee's could really start corroding my capital. VRE is the cheapest but also has the smallest yield and is market cap weighted. Is it possible BMO could lower these fee's in the future to stay competitive? I would eventually like to draw income from the holding.

Always appreciate the you insights

Q: I read the blog on U.S. dividend aristocrats but unless I missed something there was no specific ticker or recommendation made. Does 5i have suggestion for an etf to take advantage of this strategy?

Q: Peter and Team,

My total portfolio is approximately 5% Gold Bullion, 9% Short term bonds (Brookfield Infrastructure 5 year and CBO), 86% Equity. The equity exposure is currently 7.5% in US Stocks (JNJ, SBUX, XYL, V) and 78.5% Balanced Equity Model Portfolio.

I was thinking that I am missing international exposure and am thinking that I should be adding some sort of ETF for this. I originally was thinking of building a portfolio including Nestle but I think that the weighting will be too small to build individual positions.

Can you please provide your ideas for ETFs that would provide international diversification given my current holdings and, if possible, any weighting I should be aiming for in terms of international position? I would describe myself as very much in line with the risk profile of the Balanced Equity portfolio.

Thanks!

Q: I am attempting to enter some Vanguard U.S. $ ETFs into my watchlist. It will take VGG , but not VOO, or VTWO or IWR or VIG.

Any thoughts

Thank you

Paul

Q: Hello Peter, I have some US cash to invest in an RRSP. Can you please suggest four US 'growthy but somewhat conservative' stocks for a long-term (10+ years) hold. There is no need for current income. Also, I know you've suggested IWO as a US growth ETF. Would you be inclined to favour that for an investment now, or do you think that, with current near-highs and the upcoming election, it makes sense to wait until closer to year-end. Thank you for the terrific service!