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: Good morning 5i. I have held ZGI (BMO Global Infrastructure) for some time and it has done fairly well. Can you give me your thoughts about the ETF? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Jim on November 05, 2013
Q: Hi Peter and team, my portfolio is currently 100% invested in canadian stocks. I'd like your recommendations on an american etf as well as an international etf to help me diversify. I'm looking for long term growth. Also what percentage of my portfolio should be in each? Thanks for your advice.
Read Answer Asked by Rod on November 05, 2013
Q: Good morning 5I, re: convertible debenture ETF question from Kelly, the symbol given (CFD) does not seem to be correct. I did find DCD.UN, PCD.UN and OCV.UN. Do you like any of them? Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Alayne on November 04, 2013
Q: I am looking for some international exposure via an ETF. in Canadian funds. What would you recommend for an international ETF that pays a dividend of at least 4%
Read Answer Asked by Ric on November 04, 2013
Q: Good morning...currently setting up 2 TFSA accounts and RESP (Group) for two children...have 3 RRSP (in part following the 5i research portfolio) account and taxable trading account...to keep simple was think for the TFSA or RESP to use ETF or at least for 50% for ease of monitoring...was thinking VIG,QQQ,IWO,XIU,XCS,CUD...any thoughts or additions to ETFs....timeline for TFSA 10 years (adding max each year...RESP..10 years...thanks
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on November 03, 2013
Q: Hi Peter, What is your opinion of the IShares Packaged Solutions ETF's for RRSP (XGR,XTR,XCR,XAL,XGC)Thanks for the great service...Carl
Read Answer Asked by Carl on November 03, 2013
Q: ETF Short List question asked by Orion on Nov 1/13:

Horizons Funds has a seasonal ETF fund HAC.TO which came out about 3 years ago at $10 and it is now $13.59. The managers use seasonal and technical analysis to enter/exit positions. The managers (Brooke Thackery, Don Vialoux, and Jon Vialoux) appear regularly on BNN.CA video interviews. Thackery authors an annual manual on seasonal investing and has a free monthly letter and mid-month videos promoting the funds activities. Don Vialoux publishes a daily free letter at www.timingthemarket.ca where other ETF/seasonal articles exist. Also check out the structural differences between ETF's and ETN's. Yahoo finance has a components link to assess an ETF's components and weights. Trading volume of an ETF might also assist in determining 'best in class'.
Read Answer Asked by Russ on November 02, 2013
Q: Hi, I recently looked at relative growth and valuation of different economies and it seems that Norway stands out. Do you agree? If so, what would you think about NORW ETF right now?
Read Answer Asked by Kel on November 02, 2013
Q: I have a mutual fund question, about a specific fund but more from an investment understanding perspective than picking on that fund. I know you're not fans of them, and the more I learn, the more I understand why (which is why I'm in the process of weaning myself away from our "advisor").

Our advisor has about 75% of my wife's $90k RRSP in a specific mutual fund, let's just call it Fund A from Company XYZ. This fund's investment objective & strategy is to "generate income and long-term capital growth by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of Canadian dollar denominated fixed income securities". The funds top 30 holdings -- in fact, its top TWO holdings!, are 62% Company XYZ's (i.e. the fund company's) Bond Fund, and 37% Company XYZ's Cdn Dividend Fund, leaving 1% for everything else (unspecified).

Does this mean I'm paying the MER twice, once at the level of the fund itself, and again at the level of the constituent funds?

Would this situation, in isolation, be enough to get me out of this fund?

The funds MER is 2.3%, and its total return since the advisor bought it in July 2012 is 1.1%.

That certainly sounds like a good reason to get out of this fund especially and in particular.

Thanks again for all your investment advice, we beginning investors really appreciate it!
Read Answer Asked by Lotar on November 02, 2013
Q: Hi Peter and 5iResearch Team,
Can you tell me if you like Vanguard Dev. ex NA Index. I know it is small, but its Vanguard, not hedged? Do you think it is time to increase exposure to Europe?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Linda on November 01, 2013
Q: TTFS Trim Tabs Float Shrink ETF I've always had an admiration for the thinking behind Trim Tabs. This ETF is a case in point.
It has done well in a market where nearly everything has done well. What do you think of it and how do you think it would perform versus S&P index in a down market?
Read Answer Asked by Gerald on November 01, 2013
Q: With the IPCCs release of their latest climate change report, I'm concerned what will happen to the TSX which is over 30 percent energy stocks should governments finally decide to clamp down on carbon emissions.How could ETF investors protect themselves? Would you buy an alternative energy etf like TAN or is there a better way to hedge potential losses over time?
Read Answer Asked by Ken on November 01, 2013
Q: ETF Short list: - - I have been wandering through considerable posts on ETF's here and in other areas online for some weeks now, and trying to formulate a clear short list of best in class ETF's, but more specifically, the BEST TIME/SCENARIO to move INTO and OUT of each one of them for income, growth and security of capital. There are so many market areas they cover and such diverse offerings that a concise summary would be very helpful. Does anyone have anything like this already that they would be willing to share? Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by orion on November 01, 2013
Q: Hi guys. I know so little about individual US stocks I've pretty much decided to go with ETFs. Along with an S&P ETF, which sectors do you think I should look at for the near future? I currently own RHS, IHI, and XTN.
Read Answer Asked by John on November 01, 2013
Q: Hi Peter, I am wondering how you'd suggest investing $5500 in a new TFSA for my daughter who just turned 18. Have a online account set up. She won't need the money for 4+ years while she complete her post-secondary. Was thinking about HCG but am concerned if the housing market turns this may be too risky. Maybe VDY or CDZ?
Read Answer Asked by Vern on October 31, 2013
Q: Hello Peter.
I am always looking for a home for my cash when not fully invested. Money markets provide a skinny but safe return.
I have noticed a couple of senior loan ETFs ie blk and fsl.
My understanding is in a world of increasing interest rates the holdings in these ETF will have their yields also increase (floating) thus the best of 2 worlds. Knowing there is no Santa Clause what am I missing

as always
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Leon on October 31, 2013
Q: Could you please give me your opinion on ZJO and ZJG Thanx Robbie
Read Answer Asked by Robert on October 31, 2013
Q: I am trying to avoid the usurous mutual fund fees --Can you recommend a couple of good options for me ? Thanx
Read Answer Asked by Robert on October 30, 2013
Q: What s&p etf would you currently recommend for a long term hold
Read Answer Asked by mike on October 30, 2013
Q: Hi,

What do you think of XLA? Or is there another emerging markets ETF that you'd recommend, preferably with a dividend?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on October 29, 2013