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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: Would you explain how ETFs generally work. When I buy an ETF, am I buying someone else's or am I giving money to the provider to buy shares as allocated by the particular index it is tracking?
Likewise when I am selling-is someone buying my units or is the provider selling the composite shares? How is the price determined-NAV or what a buyer is willing to pay? Should liquidity be considered? What are the major factors when considering purchasing an ETF? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Derek on January 16, 2015
Q: Hello 5i
I noticed that I-shares Canadian Dividend Aristocrat ETF (CDZ) lists a 0.60% management fee and a 0.66% MER. Does this mean the effective cost to the customer is 1.26%? I don't understand the distinction between the two values.
Thanks,Richard
Read Answer Asked by Richard on January 15, 2015
Q: Hix only has $25M in assets. Can you suggest an inverse etf without leverage to protect the value of my holdings in this down market? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Richard on January 15, 2015
Q: While I am not sure where oil prices will bottom whether that is $30,$20 or even lower, they will bottom at some point. I would like to follow a short list of 4-5 energy producers that are financially sound and have the most potential for a strong rebound when prices strengthen. An alternative is to buy an ETF like XEG or perhaps a fund like Sprott's energy fund. I would appreciate your views and a short list of companies that I could buy for potentially strong gains in the energy sector if and when that happens. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by John on January 13, 2015
Q: Hi Peter,
What do think of XMU and XUS for U.S. exposure? THANKS.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on January 13, 2015
Q: Happy New Year Team 5i. I have no Canadian or US healthcare. I am well diversified with both of your PFs. I do not have any US dollars or direct US equities (only those within your PFs which have US exposure) I am interested in XLV but what would be the best way to purchase? Should I open a US account and buy enough US dollars to purchase XLV and hold within that account or should I just purchase within my TFSA (or RRIF) with my Canadian $. I'm quite naïve about US purchases as you can see. Thank you for all you are doing. It gets easier and better because of all of you!
Read Answer Asked by El-ann on January 13, 2015
Q: I hold this basket of stocks(AVO,BDI,CF,DH,DHX.B,EF,MNW,SJ,TCN,WCP,WSP) in an RSP account. I would like to add 2 stocks to it. I am retired and do not need the money now. The rest of the portfolio is well diversified following 5i recommendations in the model and income portfolios. Can you provide a few suggestions to balance this basket of stocks a little further. Many thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Martin on January 13, 2015
Q: Hi Peter and team,
XLE is -10.23% and XEG is -20.93% in the last 12 months. If I were to add energy in my RRIF portfolio, would you recommend XEG or XLE and why? I own 8% energy (SU, COS % XEG totaling 8%)My intention is to sell EWH and replace with XLE
Thanks, Karl
Read Answer Asked by Karl on January 12, 2015
Q: Hello Peter
Happy New Year .
How would you play this huge drop in oil prices of late .Which stock will benefit from the low oil prices ? Is there a ETF that tracks the air line stocks or what is your recommendation to benefit from these admormal oil prices ? How would you position your self from this oil price drop ?
Kindest Regards
Claudio
Read Answer Asked by claudio on January 12, 2015
Q: What are the best 2 ETF's in 5i opinion strictly for retirement income
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 09, 2015
Q: I am thinking about buying an ETF on the American banks , should I buy hedged or not?
Read Answer Asked by Melissa on January 09, 2015
Q: Is there an etf on the Toronto or US stock market to participate on the Shangai index?

What the difference between the Hang Seng an Shangai stock Market?

To wich of these markets are related xch and zch?

Regards
Read Answer Asked by Claude on January 09, 2015
Q: Seems like India has done very well and the preamble I hear seems to suggest that the same will happen going forward. I understand Prem Watsa is opening an India Fund, and there are the excel funds. Should I consider either of these or perhaps a couple of blue chips india stocks. What are your thoughts. I also would have the same question about investing in Vietnam, Thailand & Indonesia. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 09, 2015
Q: An observation re Warren's 2 ?s re VSC : I note from Vanguard's website that distributions paid are mostly "Other Income" (not eligible dividends) which are not as favorable for tax reporting.
Read Answer Asked by Terrance on January 08, 2015
Q: Hi Peter and Team:
Your service is the best $120 I invest every year!
I would like to select 3 ETFs for my children's RESP. Can you recommend, in your opinion the best:
Canadian Index ETF
US Index ETF
Bond ETF

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Chad on January 08, 2015
Q: To increase my US exposure rather than selecting specific stocks and not risking dollar price exposure I was considering purchasing the Dow30 index.
Would this be an appropriate fund or are there any others that you would suggest?

Thank you,

Bob
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 08, 2015
Q: As a clarification to my previous question concerning an investment in VSC would you please explain the difference between an indicated yield of 2.6% and the yield to maturity of 2% for this ETF. What actually ends up in my pocket?

Thanks Team
Read Answer Asked by Warren on January 08, 2015
Q: Hi team, I noticed some of the pipelines are getting caught in a downdraft to add to the pain of my oil company holding. However I was thinking of buying a few pipelines like VSN and IPL in my TFSA, but before I do I wanted you opinion on the relatively new midstream ETF: HOG.Is this ETF too small at this point to buy a position, or should I just go back to buying individual names like VSN and IPL. Thanks as always, you are a great team.
Read Answer Asked by Ray on January 08, 2015
Q: I constantly keep approx. 150k in cash equal to 3-4 years of withdrawals (1.25% interest) to fund annual cash requirements in addition to gov't pensions. Would you recommend buying VSC to raise my interest received to (currently) 2%?
Thanks to All
Read Answer Asked by Warren on January 08, 2015
Q: hi and thanks: If a person wanted to gamble on a rising US dollar going forward, what ETF's might one put their money in?
Read Answer Asked by Joe on January 07, 2015
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