Investment Q&A

Q: Please give me your opinion on these two Etfs for my Tfsa. Thank you.

Q: Could I get your top ETF picks for goverment bonds and corporate bonds. Thanks for your informative answers David

Q: Could CDZ be considered a growth ETF similar to IWO?
Thanks Ron

Q: I hold this etf in a number of accounts to cover the US market as opposed to individual stocks. I also hold VYM for a bit of income. Your thoughts on these etf's and do you see anything better. Many thanks for your great research!

Q: If you could give me your thoughts on these 2 etf's RSX.US and FXI.US, as they seem to be cheap, and they pay a decent dividend. Russia seems to be a play on energy and going through a recession, and China a play on manufacturing, also slowing down, can these two countries be added to a portfolio for growth long term(5-10years)? Your thoughts! Also will I have to pay 15% withholding to the Americans for these 2 country specific ETF's, and is their a way to avoid paying the Americans dividend withholding for other country specific ETF's?

Q: Hi,
Im a young, passive investor. Im looking for long term strong TFSA growth to eventually convert into TFSA retirement income. I am new to investing and don't really have a grasp on all the concepts yet.
Can you offer an opinion/advice/education on the pros and cons of investing in ETFs that are Canadian dollar hedged vs. non. Which you you recommend for long term consistent and strong growth.? The two listed are what Im thinking for gaining some US exposure, unless you are able to recommend something better?

Thanks!

Q: Hi,
I have an investment horizon of 10-12 years and I am wanting to use mostly ETF's for the next 5-7 years for sure. - Can you recommend a website or book that I can find ETF's in all of the Asset classes you have identified in your model portfolios. I own CDZ now but I am hoping to hold about 7-10 more ETF's.

Q: Over the past few months ZLB is no longer outperforming the others. I would like to pool these funds, add some cash to bring it to 5% of my holdings and invest it into a good conservative ETF. Please comment. Thank you.

Q: Hi,
My brother is a Primerica agent (err..salesperson). Im not big on Primerica as a company at all. He keeps pushing though about this large cap fund ( http://www.fidelity.ca/cs/Satellite/en/public/products/mutual_funds/equity_funds/cdn_equity/bu) supposed to have great long term returns. One of the things I don't like about this is the management rate of 2.28%.
Im not an active investor, but have some exposure to real estate (through reits) and a little finance through CM.
I am young and have tfsa savings and want to invest in long term growth (etfs maybe?). Could you offer some recommendations on good long term low cost, passive investments?

Your website is awesome and Ill be signing up as a member tonight!

Thanks
Dave

Q: What is your opinion of Purpose Best Ideas fund, thanks?

Q: The returns on this fund are excellent, the mer not so much 2.34%.
Your thoughts please or alternate suggestions. Thank you.

Q: Peter and team:

I have done very well on both NFI and WEF (2x) in an RESP for my kids. First withdrawals will be in 2-3 years.
In your opinion should I sell both and re-invest in something less volatile, or hang on for the ride.
Also, what do you think of BMO low volatility funds (ZLB and ZLU) as options on a 2-3 year RESP.
Deduct a couple if you see fit. Thanks as always.

Phil

Q: Sentry Global REIT Fund cut their distribution at the beginning of the year. Is it still a good buy?

Q: I currently hold a 2% position and would like to increase my REIT holdings. Would you suggest a single position or an ETF ? Would you continue to hold Boardwalk ?

Q: Hello,

I am looking to get some exposure in emerging markets. I currently own only Canadian and US equity. I am looking into ETFs, more specifically; XAW, XEF, VEE, amongst others. I'm looking to invest moderate to long term.

Doing you have a preference amongst those, or other suggestions? Secondly, do you think the timing is right, especially with respects to China? And finally, which countries/continents would you have a preference for?

Thank you

Q: I have opened RRIF with the following:zwu,zwh,zdm,zue,iwo,vig,xei,bip.un,rpi.un,ccl.b,A&W,bmo,vnr jnj and otc. I would appreciate your comments as to whether these are appropriate investments. If not, your suggestions would be appreciated. Please assume that my entire portfolio is diversified.

Q: What do you think of XSB as a short term hold, six months or less? Bonds generally do well, relatively, in the summer.

Q: If I buy an country specific etf listed in the USA like the ones mentioned do I still have to pay the 15% dividend withholding tax to the Americans if the dividend is coming from non USA companies in a non registered account? Moreover, your opinion on both etf's

Q: Peter and team,
I have about 18K to invest in my daughters RESP which will be required in the following two years, and about 24K to invest in a non reg account for her to use in around two to six years timeframe. This is not money I can afford to loose so I need to invest it carefully. Some say I should be keeping it in a GIC due to the timeframe, however that will not even keep up with the cost of living.
Any suggestions please?

Q: I am re-evaluating my Fixed income holdings and looking to increase my holdings from 10% up to 20% of my total portfolio. Currently hold CBO and XHY and based on your answers to other questions am looking to add XIG and XBB.
In doing my research I notice that, with the exception of XHY, the Yields to Maturity after MER are well under 2% for CBO and XBB and around 3% for XIG, based on Blackrocks website. Given that XIG is US Bonds with Ave Maturity of 12.7 years I would think that any increase in US rates in the next few years would have a larger negative impact on this ETFs performance.
Given this info why would I not simply buy a 5 year ladder of GICs where I can get slightly more than 2% guaranteed for terms of 2-5 years with no possible loss of capital. (based on rated quoted in my discount brokerage acct.