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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: 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
Q: I have a TFSA with BMO at 40%, SYZ at 10% and unfortunately TA at 11%. I have 18.5k to invest. Overall I am down. Can I please get your recommendations? Good for the long term.
Read Answer Asked by Lois on June 04, 2015
Q: I have a well diversified portfolio and was wondering which 3 stocks, beat up or otherwise, you would recommend today for purchase in a TFSA. Thanks!!
Read Answer Asked by Sandy on June 01, 2015
Q: If someone has only $35,000 in their TFSA and no other investments, what stocks would you recommend?

Thanks
Dolores
Read Answer Asked on May 28, 2015
Q: I have about $20000 in the account and loss of about $1500 which stock would you advise for this account minimum 5 years investment?.
Read Answer Asked by Nizar on May 15, 2015
Q: Hello Peter and team,

My 20 year old nephew just opened a Scotia itrade account this week, how much can he contribute into his TSFA?
Scotia itrade has free ETF trading. For dollar coast averaging, which 4 or 5 ETF's would you recommend for a beginning investor?
http://www.scotiabank.com/itrade/en/0,,4200,00.html

Thank you,

Brent
Read Answer Asked by Brent on May 15, 2015
Q: Hi
Ihave a few shares in my US account both are spin off from L Liberty which I bought in2004 DTV has a nice Capital Gain and I would like to know if it is a good
idea to keep them or transfer both of them into my TSFA US Account.
thanks a lot
margit
Read Answer Asked by margit on May 10, 2015
Q: Gentlemen. A quick question about TFSAs. My wife and I have both contributed the maximum allowed up to this point. The limit has been increased to 10000.00. Is the extra 4500.00 for this year and future years contributions. Or is it retroactive back to the beginning?
Thank you.
Ron
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on May 05, 2015