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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: I have reviewed some answers to questions that deal with the issue of hedging US exposure but am not certain as to your position on this matter. I realize the difficulty of trying to forecast currency movements but at present, with the Canadian dollar already off more than 20% within the last year, does it make sense to still favor the unhedged US ETF'S? Today seems to offer a prime example of the potential pitfalls of non hedged funds - while 1 day does not define a trend, we have a rising US market with the hedged US ETF'S also rising and the unhedged ones falling due to strength in the Canadian dollar - so what would be the best strategy going forward, over a 3-5 year term, for a non registered trading account in Canadian funds - hedged or unhedged US ETF'S?
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on February 24, 2015
Q: Could you give me a short list of your preferred US ETFs that contain stocks like Apple, Google Intel Qualcomm Oracle and the likes.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Walt on February 24, 2015
Q: Thinking of adding to my TFIA [TFSA]. Your opinion on this particular ETF please?

Thanks.

Ross
Read Answer Asked by Ross on February 24, 2015
Q: could you please recommend 3 or 4 emerging market etf
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 24, 2015
Q: You recently mentioned that for international exposure consider FEZ, and VXUS. Both these trade in the US but I have a difficult time getting my mind around buy US $ at this time. For Cda $ hedge ETF, would you consider the following as substitutes - ZEQ-t for FEZ-n and ZDM-t for VXUS-Q.....or are they other more suitable replaces?..........thanks......Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on February 23, 2015
Q: Hi 5i team,
XLU (SPDR-Utilities) has fallen by 9.6% since it peaked on Jan 29, 2015. Please comment...is this the canary? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karl on February 23, 2015
Q: It seems to be that this fund is certainly worth a look for sector exposure versus individual stock picking. I can see that its expensive to own but the returns seem to support the cost. That said, do you see this fund a worthwhile investment for sector investors in healthcare? TDB976 is the fund code. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 22, 2015
Q: Hello 5i:

Our total portfolio holdings consist of 66% CDN and 26% US. No international holdings.

I am thinking of selling all or part of our CDN ETFs, XIU and XIC to increase our US allocation. We hold 82% of our CDN portfolio in 24 individual stocks, mostly covered by 5i. XIU and XIC are 7%; and the balance is held in bond and preferred ETFs.

I would like to increase our allocation in XSP and ZSP, by selling part or all of XIU and XIC. ($60K)

Not sure if our short time horizon is a factor in this change, but I am 66 and my husband will be 71 this year. He is still working but would like to retire in a year.

Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to meeting you next Saturday.

Read Answer Asked by Kathy on February 22, 2015
Q: Assuming the same risk profile as your model portfolio and a 100% equity weighting, what allocation would you recommend for the model portfolio and other broad market categories such as US equities and emerging markets to complete the portfolio. Can you suggests some ETF's to round out the portfolio as well?
Read Answer Asked by Scott on February 22, 2015
Q: Which vehicle do you prefer, CPD or ZPR, and why? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Paul W on February 22, 2015
Q: Hello Peter
I'd like to invest in Horizons Betapro S&P 500 Bull plus ETF which is trading on TSX .My question to you is: is this ETF hinged or unhinged and what is advantage and disadvantage on hinged and unhinged ETFs and because the fund is exposed to U.S equity indices will it fall under the US $100,000 reporting rules (Form 1135).

Regards Andrew B.
Read Answer Asked by Andrzej on February 22, 2015
Q: Would the proposed 5i model portfolio ETF be available to 5i members only or open to the general public? If open to the general public does this not mean they would have access to 5i intelligence without paying for a membership?Thanks Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on February 20, 2015
Q: Am looking to purchase US ETFs, would you suggest purchasing in US dollars or would you purchase funds that are hedged? I am happy to stay invested for 10+ years.
Read Answer Asked by Janet on February 20, 2015
Q: Hi Everyone!! I am rounding out my portfolio. I have my bond and stock allocations and even though I hold 12 US dividend aristocrats, I would like to add a good broad US stock ETF and a world ETF which excludes North America. I would like to use Canadian currency to invest. Could you suggest a few? Thank you for your excellent work. Cheers, Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on February 20, 2015
Q: I would like to have some fixed income in my portfolio. What is your opinion on this ETF? It is a fairly new ETF paying about 4%.
http://www.firsttrust.ca/Retail/Etf/EtfSummary.aspx?Ticker=ETP

What other recommendations for fixed income?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Nadine on February 20, 2015
Q: Good morning Peter and Team,

The last question asked about CHB was over six months ago, and in the process of re-balancing my wife's RRSP, we notice that CHB has been languishing of late, especially when compared to ZFH. Even XHY is doing better than CHB. In an otherwise balanced portfolio containing many of your model portfolio equity picks plus CBO which you've consistently recommended, how would you judge a switch from CHB into ZFH at this time? In her RRSP, CHB is up 12% not counting reinvested dividends, but going forward, we feel that a switch to ZFH (or perhaps another suggestion?) may be warranted. We realize that some yield will be given up, but ZFH appears to be a lot safer. As always, your comments and advice are greatly valued.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on February 20, 2015
Q: Over the past year the TSX has performed reasonably well.
And interest rates have been relatively benign. Yet CVD is down over this same period and has been dropping steadily since mid last year. All this within what should be a positive environment for this type of ETF. So why is it doing as poorly as it is. Is it the quality of the underlying assets, management, or something else. My concern is if it cannot maintain it value in a strong market and low interest rates, what happens if interest rates begin to rise. Also, if you share any of these concerns, would you consider dropping the ETF from your portfolio?
Read Answer Asked by John on February 19, 2015
Q: hello team- iam 60 years of age and presently have 3 percent usa cash available in my rsp-presently equally invested in all sectors) please recommend something you feel has a potential upside, a dividend would be awesome too. could be etfs,stocks, bonds whatever.thx ja
Read Answer Asked by jane on February 19, 2015
Q: Hi Peter and Team:
so far our RSP accounts have equity only (as per our model portfolio). We do not have any fix income such as bonds.

if we want to have 10% fix income, what's your recommendation to start with? So far we prefer to buy corp bonds. I am 50 now and may want to retire at 60.

Thank you
Adriana
Read Answer Asked by hong on February 19, 2015
Q: Which ETF do you feel has greater risk as a fixed income vehicle... ZFH or XHY? Thanks. Joe
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on February 19, 2015