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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: HORIZONS ENHANCED INCOME GOLD PRODUCERS ETF COMMON(HEP:TSX, CA), can you please explain the high dividend to me and whether it is safe. Would you recommend this ETF? Or another way to play gold? Would you maybe prefer GDX in NYSE?
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on August 01, 2014
Q: Good afternoon,
I'm setting up a TFSA for my daughter who turns 18 next week. I plan on contributing the max $5500 at that time, and would like your suggestion on what to purchase. Ideally, I'd like this money to be available to her in 4-5 years for a downpayment on a house, so safety is important as well as equity appreciation (without a crazy amount of risk).
Thanks!
By the way, I'll likely be contributing $5500 each year for the first 4-5 years.
Read Answer Asked by Brenda on July 31, 2014
Q: What is your opinion on using ETFs like CRQ, CIE and CLU which consider fundamental factors like cash dividends, free cash flow and sales but at a higher MER as opposed to the core low ETFs like XIC, XEF and XUS. On a long term basis, they seem to be outperforming the main indexes and normal ETFs and thus justify the higher MER.
Read Answer Asked by Husseinali on July 31, 2014
Q: Hi team, I sold out of my ZUT and ZWU earlier this month when I got nervous about market levels, my mistake. I wonder what you think of the utilities sector at these levels. I know rising interest rates are always a concern, but I have a low level of exposure to utilities so I was thinking of establishing a small position once again (1000 or so shares). Thoughts? Thanks for your time.
Read Answer Asked by Ray on July 31, 2014
Q: HHF. Looking for alternate asset classes to better diversify a portfolio. What is your opinion on using HHF for exposure to hedge funds? I've read articles where it discusses that this type of ETF doesn't closely correlate to the actual hedge fund index.
Read Answer Asked by Husseinali on July 31, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and Team
I hold these financials in my RRIF (RY 3.5%, BNS 5%, XFN 3% and XLF 1.2%) and would like to increase financial by another 3%
Debating for either TD and add to XLF, please help me decide, thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karl on July 29, 2014
Q: We have been holding ZWB and ZWA for income in RRIFs and non registered accounts. I am considering replacing these with individual securities for ZWB and possibly ETF,s for US exposure. (ZWA) Any suggestions? We hold BNS and most securities in both 5 I portfolios. We also have CIQ.UN in all portfolios but TFSA's. Soon there is an option to redeem at NAV (an annual feature) I am thinking of redeeming and concentrating on 5i portfolios. Any thoughts. Thanks for all that you have done for us. I am waiting for the day 5i will critique our portfolios.
Read Answer Asked by Ted on July 29, 2014
Q: Hello Team:
Being close to 70 and having all our portfolio in stocks, should I be considering moving a chunk of money into bonds? Some I am considering are Templeton Emerging Markets (TEI),Pimco Strategic Income (RCS) and Phillips Hager&North (PH&N). I have confidence long term in the market, but am somewhat uneasy of being caught in old age in large downturn. That said, I am willing to accept some risk for better return. I realize this is a big question, but any help you can provide me to structure some sort of plan would be most appreciated.
All the best
brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on July 28, 2014
Q: Hello Peter and Team: In an otherwise diversified portfolio, I am considering selling my position in CEW and purchasing half positions in each of BNS and SLF. My rationale is to avoid the 0.61% MER in CEW, and I also note that the top two holdings in CEW are in fact SLF at 10.38% and BNS at 10.27% of CEW's total portfolio. Are you OK with this switch? As always, thanks in advance for your advice/recommendations.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on July 28, 2014
Q: Hello,
I have the ETF - CBR.TO which I believe was previously converted from the ETF- "GAS". CBR has been going steadily down. Do you see any future in holding this or should I get rid of it now?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on July 28, 2014
Q: Hi team, I am looking at buying 1000 shares XSQ for my kids RESP( this would represent a 15% weighting). I will need the money in about 7-8 years. I have several individual Canadian corporate bonds already in this account dated between 2016 and 2021 (30%), as well are large positions in FIE and XTR (40%). I can't decided whether to add this as a new position or just add to XTR for the added returns to help offset any inflation. Thanks for your time.
Read Answer Asked by Ray on July 28, 2014
Q: Is it time to sell my junk bond ETF CHB? I watched this video today by Christine Hughes of Otterwood Capital. Seems to make sense:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD859cTLrtI&list=UUEmSqcxB2lCJyIjoYysrVEA

What's your opinion on this? I have about 10% of my portfolio in CHB. Thanks so much for all your great advice. Not sure what your policy is on posting links, but If it's not cool, just delete it. cheers
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on July 25, 2014
Q: Is there an unhedged etf similar to xhy that you would recommend?Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Maurice on July 24, 2014
Q: I am of the belief that interest rates are set to rise in the near term (although I have held this belief for the last Year). To play this thesis, I am looking at PROSHARES SHORT 20+ YEAR TREASURY ETF (TBF;NY). At today's price, this ETF is at a 52-week low so I feel that there will be greater upside potential than downside risk. I am looking at a 5% position as a hedge to my positions in interest rate sensitive stocks in the telecomm and enegy infrastructure space that will decline if interest rates do rise. Does this thesis make sense?

Also, in the event that the 10 Year Yield moves higher (say 3.0%), what impact will there be on Canadian and US Financials?

Thank You.
Read Answer Asked by Luigi on July 24, 2014
Q: Good evening Peter,

Looking for your opinion on the below ETF's

1) USA small cap Tech

2) USA large cap Tech

3) Also, what Agriculture ETF would you recommend Canadian, USA or Global ?

If possible, please provide a short reason for the recommendations you suggest.

Thank you Peter.

Gordon...

Read Answer Asked by Gordon on July 24, 2014
Q: Please give me opinion on ffi.un or a etf with a little more capital gains, thank you. Jack
Read Answer Asked by Jack on July 23, 2014
Q: Hi, I just sold Intel with a 38% upside and am thinking about buying XLK for my tech exposure. What do you think about this EFT. Jeff
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on July 23, 2014
Q: Good day 5i Team,

Within context of an RESP where the value does not yet facilitate self direction, could you advise of a decent etf that is most closely aligned with the recommended holdings of the model portfolio. We are looking at a 15 yr horizon, and would like moderate risk within the tax sheltered account.

Thanks,

Eric
Read Answer Asked by Erichsen on July 23, 2014
Q: Can you recommend some etf 's concentrated in large US Banks . Also given that the CDN dollar is strong at this time what are your thoughts about hedging . I was thinking to buy into a low cost ETF in US dollars taking advantage of the strong CDN dollar . Thanks. RICK
Read Answer Asked by Richard on July 23, 2014