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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: Hope everyone at 5i is doing well in these times!

I have been sitting on mostly cash in my RRSP/LIRA and would like your recommendations on the best ETFs to consider for my full US and International exposure. All of these would need to be listed on the TSX as I am purchasing in CAD $. While I know you prefer non-hedged, I’d greatly appreciate if you could explain benefits/workings of hedged vs. non-hedged considering the current environment. And provide ETF recommendations for each.

I am looking to achieve a balance of diversification, reasonable MER, minimizing any withholding tax while optimizing the potential in market recovery. For US, I would like to have a technology ETF, health care ETF and a broader spectrum ETF – but also open to ideas. Also, looking for recommendations on International – one broad ETF or perhaps that and a mix of ETFs. I recognize there can be overlap (e.g. between a tech and broad sector fund), so if you can give me a sense of the degree of duplication that may be present in your recommendations. Perhaps going heavier on tech right now could be a good thing.

While I started off thinking ETF selections would be relatively simple, in reading various Q&A there seem to be many important considerations - your assistance is appreciated. Again, all of these are being purchased in RRSP/LIRA accounts with the goal of optimizing my returns over a 10 year window.
Read Answer Asked by Loretta on March 30, 2020
Q: Hi,
I’m working on a high quality shopping list during this downturn. We have enough money to start a new positions in either:
1) TEAM or TTD.?
2) NKE or ULTA?
Which companies are a better choice and why?
Thanks and stay healthy,
Kerri
Read Answer Asked by KERRI on March 30, 2020
Q: Hi Team! As more more and more people are working from home, cloud based software companies, cyber security companies will benefit as I think this will become a new reality as companies realize they can save money. In Internet communication and hardware companies out there that will see an increase of their services and products are there any names you would recommend? I thank you in advance. Sam
Read Answer Asked by sam on March 27, 2020
Q: With the possible exception of MDT or ISRG, some of the US listed medical stocks remain down near their lows while other names have rallied hard. I am interested in the companies above and wonder if you can tell me if each would be a buy for you at current levels? Again each are down a lot, have favourable analyst ratings but haven't bounced much. Are there any on this list you DO NOT like?
Read Answer Asked by Tim on March 27, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and co,
Thank you for your voice of reason in these crazy times! My 18-year old granddaughter has been talking about investments, and recently announced that she has decided she wants to invest in a cruise line company, since they are probably way down. Her thinking makes some sense to me, as the cruise industry will survive, and the strongest players may benefit from assimilation of weaker players assets. Similar thinking regarding airlines. In both cases, bankruptcy may be a risk. Is it safe to assume that buying these sectors is a good long term strategy, and if so, which companies would you suggest? Presumably strong balance sheet is a must. I think I read that Warren Buffett bought some Delta Airlines shares recently. Considering all that, what would you suggest for a young 18-year old?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ed on March 26, 2020
Q: How would someone find a list of companies that have been around since the early 1900's (have gone through the depression, wars, hyper inflation etc) and never cut or suspended their dividend? Would those same companies be theoretically safe and follow the same history if we end up in a prolonged recession/depression now?
Read Answer Asked by david on March 25, 2020
Q: I'm thinking of switching etf's, selling VGG and buying VSP to take advantage of tax loss selling (VGG) and also buying into a CAN dollar hedged fund as the CAN dollar has taken a beating lately and should rebound looking forward, appreciate your professional opinion? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Pat on March 24, 2020