skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Peter & Co., I am planning to add to my small positions in one or two of these American banks. I have compared P/E, P/B, ROE and payout ratios and I am in a quandary. Would you please list them in order of your priority for possible purchases.
With great appreciation for your excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Ed on January 30, 2017
Q: I'm trying to create an Index portfolio and I have allocated 35% to the U.S. through the iShares Core S&P 500 Index (IVV). Of that 35%, I am looking at adding exposure to mid cap and small cap U.S. companies to generate more growth. Do you agree with this strategy. I plan to retain a 27% weighting in the IVV and add 5% to a mid cap ETF and 3% to a small cap ETF. I am leaning towards the IJH and IJR due to the low fees.

Thanks,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on January 30, 2017
Q: I am connected to a 41 year old who is about to start investing and putting some money away for retirement

He has very little investment knowledge
He has about $ 200,000 to invest We are going to start with his TSFA and make the maximum contribution and then we will set one up for his wife

Where is a good place to start Would you recommend a basket of ETF's or buying individual stocks His investment horizon is 20 to 25 years

Which are your preferred ETF'S or your 6 equities

Thank you very mucb

Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 30, 2017
Q: I am looking to sell my Energy stock holdings as I move all of my portfolio to ETF's - I am looking for a bit more stability in the energy sector as well as income - I have a 10 yr horizon and can live with some moves with the market - Can you recommend a couple good ETF's that focus on Income from Energy and Energy services - Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ron on January 26, 2017
Q: I am not quite clear on tax implications for the following scenario. Could you please confirm (or not !) if I am correct or if there are other implications ?

If, in a Non-Registered Account, I hold a Canadian-domiciled ETF or Mutual Fund that owns a mix of Canadian, U.S. and possibly other international companies, then:

1) 15% of the U.S. company dividends will be withheld by the U.S. (Or whatever equivalent withholding tax if non-U.S.but international) This amount is reported at year end through the Fund/ETF, and reflected on the tax slip I receive from my brokerage. When I fill out my return, I can then apply for a foreign tax credit which means I should get back all the tax that was withheld.
2) The portion of dividends from the Canadian companies held by the Fund/ETF will be eligible for the Dividend Tax Credit but NOT the portion from the U.S. or international companies.

Thank you for your help !

Read Answer Asked by Alexandra on January 25, 2017
Q: I am not comfortable purchasing individual stocks in a small account, with my go to name being ZEB, can you recommend any others that provide the diversification? I'm thinking the US indices hedged back to CAD, is that a good idea and which ETFs would you recommend in that case?
Read Answer Asked by David on January 25, 2017
Q: I have about 110,000 dollar that I will be investing in your balanced portfolio and the etf ViG. About 45,000 dollars will be in a non registered account and 65,000 in TFSA. I am avoiding RRSP because I have a good pension. My tax person said that I would save tax by putting the non dividend equities to the non=registered account. I plan to leave the investments in for 7-8 year As well will vig be taxed at a higher rate because it is non-Canadian if it is in the non-registered?
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 25, 2017
Q: I have a note from you wrt to CPD so am aware of its rate reset properties - which should be positive in the anticipated rising rate environment. However, I have not followed prefs before and wondered how they might perform should we get a significantly negative equity market, and - additionally - whether the managed version might do significantly better in those circumstances. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Mike on January 25, 2017