Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i,

Our portfolios initiated positions of TLT, VCLT, IEF, VCIT, and VAB ~2 months ago. TLT and VCLT are each at 2% of the portfolio. VAB, IEF, VCIT combined are 3%.

We will add additional funding to the ETF's. Would you recommend an increase across the board or should we focus our increase on TLT, VCLT, and VAB based on the latest talk about lowering rates?

Note: We are treating the ETF's as a stock as we have GIC's through to 2028 as our fixed income (15%). What are the triggers to indicate that the ETF's are reaching the end of the runway and a switch to individual stocks is recommended?

Thank you for your great service and Merry Christmas.

D&J

Q: Hi there,

Can I please get your opinion on HEQT. The asset allocation looks to be different from VEQT and XEQT with its NASDAQ exposure. Do you suspect that over a long period (ie: multiple decades), this will help this etf outperform? How would you rate it relative to VEQT and XEQT?

Thanks!

Q: https://www.rbadvisors.com/insights/4-for-24-year-ahead-outlook/

RB advisers recommend the following 4 themes for 2024 and as a value investor I am looking for ETF recommendations:
(1) US small caps: I am using XSU (100% IWM)
(2) US cyclicals: I found IYC but P/E is 27! Recommendation?
(3) Non-US and emerging markets: I have been using XEF and ZEM. I like XEM (100% EEM) because it posts a P/E each day.
(4) Theme 4 is "Industrials: deglobalization spurs infrastructure". No idea what ETFs to use here.
Thanks for your recommendations/comments!!!

Q: What are your thoughts on water etfs or stocks? Should I use 1 or more in this sector? Using C$ or US$ to invest, which etf(s) or stock(s) do you recommend based to have the best potential?

Q: Good evening,

I have a couple of questions regarding the following 5 ETF's. If it cost more than one credit that is ok. Just curious if you only own those 5 ETF's how diversified would you be? I understand that you be giving up some upside but from a diversification perspective do you have all your sectors covered?

For full disclosure I have 15 percent of my entire portfolio allocated to this 5 ETfs too add a little boost in income.

My last question regarding these 5 ETF's iss they all pay a distribution except SMAX and QMAX. SMAX and QMAX pay dividends according to my platform BMO investorline. Does that mean both these two are eligible for the dividend tax credit?

Thanks and have a great day.
Jimmy

Q: Hello, can you recommend a USD money market fund that can be purchased on the NYSE? I hold ZMMK in my CA portfolio and looking for a US$ equal. Thank you.

Q: RESP allocation for 10 & 12 year old kids is currently 100% in VEQT. If it were your account, at what ages would you consider transitioning to VGRO and then VBAL if money was required in 6-8 years. I realize there isn’t a right answer and purely subjective.
Thanks

Q: hi, in my USD account I currently hold: PFE, MMM, CRWD, NVDA and GOOGL. I want to add the IJT etf. any thoughts on positions size ( half, full) right now, based on current price of IJT? if you had to sell from my list of current equites, what order would you do it in - and would you sell any completely in exchange for IJT ?
cheers and happy holidays! Chris

Q: I have a full position in VOO in my TFSA that has done well with the recent rally but was originally a hedge that I no longer need in this account. Looking to move back to a growth-oriented position.

What would your top recommendations be for assets to high potential growth for the next 2 -5 years (excluding Tech as overweight there)?
With small caps having the potential to rise is there an ETF that would be skewed to this

Q: Looking to add a one-stop-shop etf to my TFSA for buy and hold long term growth to provide global equity exposure. Would HEQL be a good option? Would you recommend any others?

Q: Is it a good time to invest in Uranium? If yes, please recommend C$ and/or US$ etfs or stock(s) to do this.

Q: I am reading about the benefits of adding commodities to a portfolio (PIMCO /Ibbotson 2006 study). Low correlation with other assets, positive correlation to inflation, optimal allocation from 9 to 29%.

Any overarching comments on the pros and cons of commodities in a portfolio?

Can you recommend how a regular DYI investor might try to add exposure to this area?… an ETF? Any specific securities you recommend taking a closer look at? I don’t want to be buying pork belly contracts!

Lastly, suggestion on ranges of how much commodities should represent in a portfolio? A conservative investor would be X% while an an aggressive investor would be Y%.

Q: I currently hold SPDR S&P 600 S/C VAL ETF (SLYV). It is currently 2.78% of my portfolio. What is the prospect of SLYV in comparison to IJR, IJT and IWM in 2024. Would you recommend to switch to any other small cap ETF from SLYV?

Q: This is more of a response to Stephen regarding his question about Zwc-I am also retired and purchased Zwc in the fall of 2017. I purchased the units around 19.50 when the tsx was around 16,500. Currently the units are close to 17.00 however the tsx is close to 21,000. My dividend paid since 2017 far out way the capital loss currently however I am speculating that over time the market will continue to rise as it has over the past many decades. Eventually I expect to get my capital back and perhaps a little more-no guarantees so I will keep my fingers crossed

Q: My daughter has opened her First time Home buyer Savings Account with the intent to wait 1 ½ to 2 years until she will be ready to purchase her first home. Do you have any ETF's you would like to suggest ?

Q: This ETF has been trading sideways for the last 3 months. With a 5.5% yield, isn’t this stock supposed to gradually increase? I understand there’s a slight premium associated with this ETF, but it’s not really moving much at all

Q: Hi guys,

Thoughts on eww (Mexico etf) for 2024.

Thanks again for another great year with 5i !!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jim

Q: my position in XLB:CA has almost recovered to break even. i am adjusting my behaviour in investing to try to avoid betting on conditions such as rising , falling, or staying near current for longer. I am getting the feeling from comments that long bonds are a play on rates dropping. If this is true, i would rather be positioned in bonds for more balanced risk/return regardless of rates. Any suggestions ?
Many thanks for your great service!

Q: Hi 5i - could you imagine the excitement for all these years, mine and all members? Only blessings for you, Peter, and your 2 families : Lara and the kids, and all your office.

Now about the pain caused by SCHP and QTIP (down after 2 years 16% and 22%) No one understood how on the earth, instead to protect against the inflation, they never did what they were supposed to do.

I found this info:

BlackRock does offer ETFs that hold TIPS to maturity. For example, iShares iBonds Oct 2028 Term TIPS ETF (IBIE) owns nothing other than TIPS maturing in 2028. And the ETF will hold those TIPS until they mature, and then the fund will liquidate, distributing cash to shareholders. So it works very similarly to just buying 2028 TIPS on your own and holding to maturity.

This for a 72 ys in RIFF.

Apart the AUM small, small volume, what do you think?

Thanks for ever.

Q: Could you recommend a US and a global mid cap ETF that trades in CAD
thanks