Investment Q&A

Q: I'm not familiar with ETNs or potential risks associated with them, but would appreciate your thoughts on a fund such as Barclays CAPE that seeks to invest in the undervalued sectors of the S&P 500.

Are the potential risks justified versus a low cost ETF that just tracks the S&P500?

Q: Hi Peter & Team, additional question regarding preferred
XPF, CPD and ZPR are down 2.67%, 11.54% and 17.26% (12 months)
a) Why such variation?
b) Is it best to buy ZPR since it is down the most?
Thanks

Q: Please add to my previous question today re: switching from US VO & VB to XLV & XLY & or a combination to include IHF & XBI.

Q: Am considering a change from present US ETF holdings - VB & VO.
These 2 represent approx. 50% of total US investments. What is your crystal ball opinion for a switch to an equal amount between XLV & XLY? As always - thank you.

Q: Hi Peter & team, what is your opinion on ZPR for income purposes in a RRIF portfolio? Looking for long term with at least 5% of total portfolio. Thanks

Q: Hi Peter & Team:

I heard that ETFs & Mutual funds that hold foreign companies are not required to report on T1135. If this is true, would it be good to invest in foreign companies but avoid reporting the T1135? Thank you.

Q: My husband and I are 65 and 60. We have never had any US or global investments in the past. We've now sold part of our RRSP portfolio (~20% of the total investment) and are ready to step into the US market with ETFs. My question is 1) The timing – the Feds will increase the interest rate very soon. Should I wait until the Fed announcement?, and 2) What US and/or Global ETFs should I buy? Thanks.

Q: Hi...I am looking for an ETF to hold funds for a few months until the market settles...I am converting US$ to CDN$ taking advantage of the currency spread....no tax issues etc..

Thanks

Q: I am trying to look up the ETF iau.us in your research section and nothing is coming up? Is it because only individual stocks are covered?

Q: Good Morning 5i

Looking for any comments on this O&G for a 3 year hold. Recommended on BNN yesterday. I'm concerning the Iranian oil arrival may cause a decrease in prices in next few weeks. Is it your view that a headwind will result and I should wait another month or two before jumping in on this one?

Any other recommendation for 3 yr. hold instead of ZEO?

Thank you!

Q: Good Morning 5i

Looking to add Ishares Global Agricultural Index ETF in early Oct. Any thoughts on this one - recommended on BNN yesterday. Any others you would consider instead in this space?

Thanks very much for your sage advice as always.

Q: Hi
I am looking into getting into the stock market. I have invested in stocks in the past but currently don't hold any stocks. I'm 25 years old, have a long term horizon and a medium high risk tolerance,
I have about 10K to start investing with and am looking for the best way to diversify and also get into the stock market again. I hold GICs already.
I was thinking about starting off with the stocks in the balanced portfolio and from there (as i am able to save some more money) pick a few other key names,
What is your opinion of this idea, do you think if I start with those stocks in the balanced portfolio at the current prices is that a good start?
Thanks
Chris

Q: Could you recommend an Canadian utility ETF

Q: As a short term investment of say 1-12 months, could I get your opinion of this investment as opposed to a GIC investment and is VSB a safe place to park money. Thanks, Bill

Q: Hello Team
Trying to decided on which is the best and safest reit.I realize they are low risk.But if we go into a recession which would perform better.Thank You

Q: What is your opinion of First Asset Multi-Factor core ETFs

CED and CES ?

Thanks ,

Glen

Q: I am looking for exposure to the renewable energy space particularly in solar, as I think that in the next decade it will be a good investment. Could you recommend several ETFS that might fit that goal. I expect that we need to look outside of the Canadian market but do not exclude it.

thanks
Yossi

Q: I feel like rolling the dice a little on Greece. Is there an ETF out there that tracks one of the greek indices? Thanks!

Q: I liked the article you posted, The Truth About 99.3% of All ETFs. Given the contents of this article, would that make 5i review their recommendations for certain ETFs or have those factors already been considered?

In my portfolio are a few ETFs and even before I read this article I was pondering shedding them and moving into the stocks themselves.

Thanks for you response,
Ron

Q: Thank you for your quick reply and opinion today. The question concerned ZRE but the answer refers to XRE so I am wondering if you would consider XRE ( Market cap 1.24B) a 'better' purchase than ZRE at this time? Perhaps XRE is a typo in the answer?

If the ETf was closed out what would happen re: payment to share holders?

Zre only has a market cap of 364.5M - If XRE was a typo then I expect that you consider the size of ZRE is not a concern?

As a relatively new investor I appreciate the education you provide.

Again, thank you so much


July 31, 2015 (asked by Len)

Question: I have been adding to my holdings in the Income Portfolio and with the cost/share down I was considering ZRE at this time. In looking at the BMO site (http://www.etfs.bmo.com/bmo-etfs/distribution?fundId=80001 ) I note the following statement under 'distributions' -

" The distributions will either be paid in cash or reinvested in the BMO ETF at the discretion of the manager."

I am wondering your thoughts on how likely it might be that one would not get a cash distribution? If owning individual REITs could this be the case as well? Do you recommend buying ZRE at this time? We are looking for income.

Thank you ever so much for your insights.

5i Research Answer:
Each REIT would be different, but generally for non-ETFs shareholder approval would be required to get paid in units. ETFs do not require a unitholder vote on many items (including closing a fund). We would not consider it very likely that XRE would pay distributions in more units, and has not to date. Dividends coming in are fairly secure and the fund is large enough to avoid most cash liquidity issues. For diversied REIT exposure and income we would still consider it a decent buy.