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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: Hello gentlemen,

Does it make sense to utilize my tfsa to the maximum allowable contribution amount first before depositing into RRSP? Im thinking yes since we are having to pay tax when we withdraw from RRSP upon retirement.
I look forward to your reply.
Read Answer Asked by ron on September 28, 2015
Q: Hi Peter.

Came across this useful article on TFSAs. I wasn't aware of the difference between "successor-holder" and "beneficiary" designations and thought other 5i members might find this of interest.

http://www.advisor.ca/tax/tax-news/tfsa-designations-may-cause-estate-planning-problems-183045?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Brokers_Newsletter?utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_source=Personal%20Finance%20Reader&utm_type=text&utm_content=PersonalFinanceReader&utm_campaign=129908129

Cheers,

Scott
Read Answer Asked by Scott on September 25, 2015
Q: My 20 year old son has a question for you as follows:
Hi peter,
I have a tfsa which i am looking to add to. My holdings are the following:
AVO- 10.8%
BNK- 10.1%
ENB- 15.6%
XTC- 15.6%
OTC- 15.4%
PHM- 5.4%
RMP- 7.7%
WIN- 18.8%

I was considering adding BNS & SLF.
OR
I was considering adding a large position in a mutual fund.
Would you please recommend what to add & potentially what i should sell.

Thank you!
Chad
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on September 16, 2015
Q: We recently sold a small U.S. property and put the US$ into a US$ TFSA in order to keep US$ available for future travel. My question is regarding the investments - we have most in non-dividend paying U.S. equities/ETF's to avoid the dividend tax issue, but could we purchase CAD dividend paying companies for income in US$ within this plan? Thanks for your always great advice.
Read Answer Asked by Susan on September 09, 2015
Q: Hi,
What stocks would you recommend in a TFSA and in a RRSP today?


Read Answer Asked by Roderick Jay on September 09, 2015
Q: Hi Peter/team I would like your opinion on what stocks of your balanced model portfolio is better to have on my TFSA-RRSP and regular account. Thanks.Jim!!!
Read Answer Asked by Dimitrios on September 02, 2015
Q: With selling FM last week at a loss, my TFSA is less than the $41,000.00 I have put into it. I must be doing something wrong. Most of us have 3 Canadian Accounts ... TFSA, RSP, and Regular /( Income in my case ) . How should one approach these regarding 1.risk , 2. dividends , 3. bluechip or other factors ... I think I am doing something wrong. My Regular account is OK, my TFSA is down and my RSP , meantime , is flying high with tech stocks and increasing my future RRIF tax liability . ᴴᴱᴸᴾ
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on August 03, 2015
Q: Dear Peter and team:
I know in your recent answer to a question about TFSA, you had suggested a US stock and an ETF (VIG) It is my understanding that US withholding tax applies to TFSA. (not to RRSP.
Therefore wouldn't it be prudent to buy either Canadian stocks in TFSA or pure play growth stocks from the US or Europe or Asia. My question then is this: what are such pure play growth stocks in the US/Rest of the world that I can hold in my TFSA without worrying about withholding tax?
Always appreciate your measured answers.
Read Answer Asked by Savalai on July 17, 2015
Q: Good-day!
My niece (33 years old, well paid employment) has about $15K to invest, will add at least $10K every year, has no idea what a dividend is (and doesn’t want to know!), and wants my advice. I am suggesting a TFSA with probably a few ETFs, or possibly a basic 3 or 4 stock “beginner’s” portfolio inside the TFSA. For a long term holding I would appreciate it if you could you provide a few suggestions both from ETFs and a few basic stocks, perhaps with the thought of a minimum of $5K in each, maybe incorporating drip. This would all come with the usual wish list of course of some foreign (US at least) exposure, maybe some dividend income, secure payout ratios, reasonable ROE, and capital security. Not too much to ask, of course! ... and if I do ever spark her interest in the investing melee, then my first advice will be a subscription here!
(This question may have already made it to you earlier this afternoon, but I am unsure after some computer hiccupping after I pushed send)
Read Answer Asked by Paul on July 17, 2015
Q: Hi team,

You indicated that in the TFSA, there will be a 15% withholding tax on dividends. How does that play if it is a mutual fund (in U.S.$) held in the TFSA ? What are the pros and the cons of holding such a mutual fund in a TFSA ?

Thanks a million,

Jacques
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on July 15, 2015
Q: Hi Peter and 5i Team,

I am interested in buying KO. I have never purchased American or international stocks, so it is all new to me. Am I better off purchasing it in my TFSA discount brokerage accounts or in my non-registered (regular) discount brokerage account? What are the tax implications for both scenarios?

Thanks for your help,

Terri.
Read Answer Asked by Terri on July 13, 2015
Q: Good afternoon Peter and team,

We are now past the accumulation stage in investing beyond continuing to "fill" our TFSAs. I am thinking that when I do add to our TFSAs, I would buy XIC, so that when we want (or need) to withdraw $ from our equity holdings, we could withdraw from it, thus taking a little bit from a number of stocks with one withdrawal rather than having to worry about balancing the portfolio by figuring out which stocks, and how many, would be best to sell. Is there something I'm missing in my thinking, or would you think this a good idea?

Thank you for your invaluable advice: I've been with you from your inception, and continue to enjoy the site.
Read Answer Asked by M.S. on July 06, 2015
Q: I have my next years TFSA cash contribution sitting in a "high" interest savings account but am thinking of parking it in my non registered account and buying and holding a REIT (d.un perhaps?) until Jan 1...which do you recommend or perhaps I should play it safe and go with shares in one of the Canadian banks?
Read Answer Asked by MG on June 25, 2015
Q: My daughter does not have a pension plan nor will she be making enough money to make an RRSP worthwhile.She has a TFSA but is not that familiar with stocks.She will be invested for at least 25 years. Can you suggest some long term investment companies for her?She already has a dividend fund from RBC that has a lot of financials in it. This money is locked in until she is retired .I've been trying to help her but could use some advice myself.We've been considering Crombie Reit but are worried about rising rates.As always your help is appreciated,
Read Answer Asked by Dave on June 22, 2015
Q: The only holding in my TFSA, to which I have made maximum contributions, is SUMMIT REIT ( SMU.UN). I wanted a high yield growth stock and went with a small cap REIT.
I am going to sell half my holdings and diversify into another sector with a growth stock having a 4% plus yield. Would you have 2-3 suggestions? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Derek on June 22, 2015
Q: Peter,
`A TFSA just opened
`$21000 maximum allowed and therefore available

1/would you park the money in a high savings account let us say till the fall/early winter and therefore wait for better market500 opportunities.

2/In case you can find solid opportunities now what would you suggest in pure stocks allocation percentage (for example 4 stocks, 8 stocks.. 1 stock?)

3/ Within this split what would you suggest as specific target companies.

Thank you very much
Read Answer Asked by claude on June 10, 2015
Q: Would either one or both stocks be growth investments within a TFSA account, or, considering current market volatilty, would MBK.UN (Manulife US Regional Bank
Trust) be preferable?
Thank you for your valued input!
Read Answer Asked by Sigrid on June 09, 2015
Q: My granddaughter wants to invest an additional $6,000 in her TFSA. She has a small amount in energy already so we want to buy her something in a different sector.
Do you think she should buy CCL.B, Agrium, Intertain, or Cineplex. She is willing to take some risk and is wondering if she should put all $6K in one stock or split it up.
Thank you very much!
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on June 08, 2015
Q: I have some room in my TFSA and was hoping to add a couple of good quality growth stocks. I currently own small positions in Stella Jones and Brookfield Asset Management in my RRSP and was thinking of adding some more in my TFSA. Would these be good candidates? If not, are there any others that you would recommend?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on June 08, 2015
Q: Hello Peter and 5I team,
Thank you for your advice in the past. We have just topped up our TFSA and with the cash we already had on balance are ready to purchase some stocks. We are already diversified in our other accounts with large caps and fixed income. We are looking for fairly valued dividend growers and or first time dividend payers.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by john on June 05, 2015