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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: Hi,
My son is taking a break from active stock picking and has gone with this ETF model: VUS(15%), VBU(5%), VCN(22.5%), VAB(5%), VI(22.5%). His investing horizon is very long (10-20 years). Your thoughts on the individual ETFs? How about sector & geographic diversity? Any other concerns?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on July 25, 2016
Q: XT-N
iShares Exponential Technologies

I am looking for an ETF that follows emerging new technologies. One that seems to fit the bill is iShares Exponential Technologies (XT-N). What do you think of it? Is there another you would like better? Are there any traded in Canada?
Read Answer Asked by David on July 25, 2016
Q: On the fixed income side of a portfolio 5i has included both conv. debs. and prefs. Do you see them as having a similar risk profile? With new money would you choose CVD or CPD? and why? I am having a hard time finding CDs that are worth the risk, yet the rate reset pref. market seems like a "bargin" assuming rates go up in the next 5,10,15 years.
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on July 21, 2016
Q: Peter; I read a Globe article by the Avenue Group regarding the massive amounts of money flow into bond ETF's. Their main point was, if the bond market goes to a " no bid" situation, then the resulting problems with accurately pricing the Etf's could cause havoc if investors tried to exit. Today Larry Berman suggested buying his ZCS short term corp.bond
as a place to sit and wait for a pullback he thinks is coming. I realize that trying to time the market is pointless but first could you comment on the " no bid" scenario and second do you think buying some ZCS would be like a hedge if anything did develop?
Thanks.

Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on July 20, 2016
Q: Hi, I am considering replacing my IWo by IJR or SLY ( S&p 600 small cap growth). I was reading David Swensens book "unconventional success". Brilliant book. He talks about how Russell 2000 is not a well structured index as compared to S&P 600. Which has a better structure and therefore results in better performance. What are your thoughts on this. Also what portion of a portfolio would you suggest for small cap growth based ETF like this. This is for an otherwise diverse and aggressive portfolio. Your advice is most valuable. Cheers, Shyam
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on July 20, 2016
Q: this question is about i shares silver trust etf, slv:us, just in case your section above does not pick up the stock again!
Do you think this is a good way to invest in silver, my understanding is that it holds the actual sliver. also the forward calls on this product seem to have a very reasonable spread, as far as risk reward goes it seems like a good way to get some torque on a 3 to 6 month trade on silver, realizing of course your call premium could expire worthless.
thanks TOM
Read Answer Asked by Tom on July 19, 2016
Q: BMO US Put Write(ZPW)
BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD(ZWE)
PowerShares Preferred Portfolio(PGX:US)
BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index(ZPR)
BMO US High Dividend Covered Call(ZWH)
BMO Equal Weight REITs Index(ZRE)
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index(CPD)
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index(XRE)
BMO Covered Call Dow Jones Industrial Average Hedged CAD(ZWA)
iShares Convertible Bond Index(CVD)
BMO Canadian Dividend(ZDV)
Above are ranked as to yield - high to low. Can you rank as to risk - high to low?
Thank you for considering my question
G. Reynolds
Read Answer Asked by Gail on July 18, 2016
Q: I am looking to add some diversity to my rrsp holdings and value your opinion. I would like to add a position in xmm,emerging markets,low volatility and one of xmw or xmy,which is $Canadian hedged. What would be the reason for the discrepancy in nav between xmw and xmy(hedged)? I realize that the latter are newer etf,but which might be the better choice for a 2 to 4 year hold? Also,Vanguard just initiated vvo,another global etf. Have you had a chance to view and could you give your opinion? Thank you for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on July 18, 2016
Q: My take on the TSX Venture market is that the index has been pretty much straight up year to date. Would you agree? Any thoughts on why? Can you recommend the best ETF to follow the Venture index?

Read Answer Asked by David on July 14, 2016
Q: Hi 5i,
Can you recommend one or two good broad market, low cost etfs? They will be held long term in a tfsa. I'm not really planning on holding individual stocks at all. I will be maxing out my tfsa and buying into the etf 2-3 times per year. I'm looking for good long term growth, and maybe some dividend. Any dividends will also be reinvested. Can 1-2 etfs cover all markets well enough or should a variety of etfs be held in the account?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by david on July 14, 2016
Q: I LIKE ANOTHER AM REPEATING MY QUESTION SO IF YOU ANSWERED IT MY APPOLOGIES..i am looking at adding to my portfolios as I have no weighting to energy, utilities , real estate and communications. what I am thinking of doing is using zwu to cover pipelines and telcos and ala for its value and dividend. as to the realestate portion I have land and houses so do not think I require exposure that way. please give me you valued opinion about this strategy. thank you
Read Answer Asked by gene on July 14, 2016
Q: ZWB, ZWU, ZWH, CPD & ZWE...just looking for a simple ETF portfolio. What do you think of a 20% allocation in each of these names for a decent return with low to medium risk. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on July 13, 2016
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