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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 no US exposure and am thinking of buying VIG US dividend fund, as you recommended to another member. My question (and therefore a concern) is; are the dividends charged as income since the Canadian dividend tax credit is not available?
Read Answer Asked by M.S. on November 09, 2014
Q: how would you rate this etf for exposure in an rrsp presently holding only can. stocks no mutal funds nor other etf. it would be 3.9% of a 200k portfolio.or do you have a better suggestion for international exposure.
Read Answer Asked by Ross on November 09, 2014
Q: I have $125,000 to invest, I am looking for a combination of growth and income. Would you invest all in your model portfolio or with you put a portion in US and or emerging markets, I would problably use ETF's for US and emerging market portions.
Read Answer Asked by colleen on November 06, 2014
Q: I currently have a full position in ZRE and half positions in FSV and HCG at 44.65 and 38.75 respectively. In order to reduce interest rate sensitivity I am considering selling ZRE and using the proceeds bring FSV and HCG up to full positions. Other financial holdings are TD, SLF, and BNS. The dividend income from ZRE is not required and is currently being re-invested. Sector allocations are: Financials 15%, Utilities 10%, Consumer Discretionary 10%, Consumer Staples 9%, Industrials 15%, Health Care 7%, Telecom 9%, Info Tech 12%, Energy 9%, Materials 4%. Any feedback on this idea would be appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on November 06, 2014
Q: Hi Peter! I have 50% of my total portfolio in well diversified Canadian stocks, mostly from your equity portfolio. Of the remaining 50%, 5% is cash; 25% is in US stocks; 5% each in Europe (FEZ) and Emerging Markets (EEM). I'm thinking of diversifying further by placing the remaining 10% or so into specific countries such as Japan and/or India.
Can I have your thoughts on this plan and can you recommend any specific ETFs?
Thanks! Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on November 05, 2014
Q: Hi 5i Team,

What are your thoughts on FIE (iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF)?

It looks good on paper - good diversification, good dividends, but on the other hand performance over 5 years pales in comparison to something like BNS.

Is it worth it for the instant diversification in the financial sector, or are you better with 2-4 stocks?

Thanks,

Mike.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on November 05, 2014
Q: Hi, What do you think of RWO, or do you think something like TCN would give a better return? I'm looking to gain from US housing as it rebounds.
Read Answer Asked by Carla on November 03, 2014
Q: Hello 5i, Could you recommend 2 ETF's, one for corporate bonds and the other for preferred shares. Also would these ETF's be good as income for a persons retirement by being more secure as a buy and hold. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Michael on November 03, 2014
Q: I 've read that you are recommending CDZ and XDV for dividend paying ETFs. The yield on XEI exceeds the yields of CDZ and XDV. As well, fees charged for XEI are less. Would you also recommend XEI ?
Read Answer Asked by Terry on November 03, 2014
Q: Please recommend several fixed income etf's. Thank you for your advice. MR
Read Answer Asked by michael on November 02, 2014
Q: is there a TSX equivalent to the GLD. Please and thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on November 02, 2014
Q: RBC Canadian Dividend Series A mutual fund has been a double for me but the mer of 1.78% is quite high compared to that charged by etf funds. Could you suggest some etf products that would work as well as the mutual fund but are cheaper?
Thanks,
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on November 01, 2014
Q: Hello Peter- I have a lot of US dollars earmarked for the fixed income portion of my portfolio. I realize that 'safe' investments pay less than two percent (if that). I am trying to get 4-5%. I realize that I will have to take a little bit of risk to do this. My two choices are IShares Emerging Market Bonds EMB-N (this pays 4.4%)or the other option is to buy individual rate reset preferred shares. I believe that they work pretty well the same as the Canadian ones and they reset at Libor + 3 to 3.5%. BAC and C both issue these shares. I think that it is better to buy the resets as opposed to the perpetuals. Do you have any comments on this or any alternative suggestions?
Read Answer Asked by RANDY on October 31, 2014
Q: Hi. your response to Gervais re United Health Group versus the etf VHT, indicated that VHT held only 21 securities. Vanguard's
website indicates 307 companies. Pls clarify.Thanks T.
Read Answer Asked by Terrance on October 31, 2014
Q: Due to recent maturing of some bonds and GICs I now have about 15% of my substantial RRIF in cash. I will not need this cash as my bond ladder will cover the next 5 years of withdrawals. I originally planned to use such cash to extend my bond ladder but do not want to be tied to current low interest rates for 6+ years. Can you recommend an etf, or individual stocks that offer good income and low risk for a long holding period.
Read Answer Asked by Preston on October 30, 2014
Q: Can I get your opinion on this dollar hedged ETF. I have enough US dollar denominated investments in my portfolio but I want exposure to the US Financial sector. Is today's price a good entry point as well?
Read Answer Asked by Rob on October 30, 2014
Q: I have held a one-third position in this ETF for a few months and am down 17%. Should I hold or sell and perhaps but First Quantum. It is my only stock in the metals/mining.

Ray
Read Answer Asked by Raymond on October 29, 2014
Q: As part of my US portfolio I hold Peritus HYLD. Over the past month or so this high yield bond fund has dropped about 6 percent. Is it time to get out of high yield bond funds. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ray on October 29, 2014
Q: I have Canadian oil and gas stock, pipeline, and power company representation. But I can't help thinking solar is an increasing part of the future, and fear I may be holding too much "old technology" investments, even given some of them have a small part of their income in windpower.

What do you think of Solarcity as a way of rounding out my power investments? Would there be an ETF that would capture solar that would be more appropriate?
John
Read Answer Asked by John on October 28, 2014