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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 5i

I am planning to switch my RRIFs from Corp Bonds held during contribution yrs to US index ETFs now that I am well into compulsory payout phase. I am looking at VUN or VFV. VUN is only 6mo old with a much smaller subscription and a more diverse index, and better current trading volume despite its smaller size. (you made some comments on why size matters which don’t seem to apply to these 2 funds given that they hold only the US$ equivalent Vanguard funds).

The only reason I am considering the C$ unhedged funds is to avoid the 2-2.5% charges BMO levies for both Buy & Sell transactions. So Vanguard is providing these currency transactions at no cost. Is there some trick of the light here here that I am missing

Your comment appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Ernie on February 03, 2014
Q: Hello 5i,
I’m raising cash by selling US stocks and looking for a few good buys in the US small/mid cap area, sector isn’t a priority with the exception of REITs/oil/gas/pipelines, but I would like a 4% div. minimum. I know you folks like technology and healthcare anything there? Please help with some ideas.
Read Answer Asked by Mark on February 03, 2014
Q: Hi Team:

In my RRSP, I have about 25 to 30% in bonds, mostly in short term
and one of the mutual funds where the bonds are, MD Bond funds is well managed; the bonds have taken a hit due to the impending rise of interest rates, I have some in Mawer Balance fund in the RRSP as well
I have taken a small position in MFC recently. I wonder if moving another 5% of the bonds to US equity like SPY VIG would be appropriate, I have already have 10% of the RRSP portfolio in XTR, a monthly income fund yielding about 5%; thanks team; I hope that I am not confusing you, let me know if you need more information
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 03, 2014
Q: HAWK, NYSE: FPE=24, ROE=63% -business to do with digital transactions. What are your thoughts on this one for my USD portfolio??
Have a great weekend..JP
Read Answer Asked by James on February 03, 2014
Q: I bought this stock on a recommendation a couple of years ago
OSGIQ - Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. What are your thoughts
Buy, sell or hold; seams to be coming back to life??
Read Answer Asked by Lorraine on February 03, 2014
Q: I just sold my Boston Properties and my Union Pacific in my panic to lock in some profit. With the fall of Boeing I am seeing some opportunity but also some danger . Meantime I am now under-invested. What would be your fave for Growth in the US ?
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on January 31, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and Team,

thoughts on Galena Biopharma, Inc, GALE
Read Answer Asked by Graham on January 30, 2014
Q: AAPL: Apple. Down 7% or so today. Icahn buys another $500 M. Is the market right or is Icahn right? I had been holding on to my Apple shares expecting better results. Is there another US stock with better potential (e.g. Qualcomm) for me to switch into or should patience rule the day for a while yet?

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on January 28, 2014
Q: Hi Peter & Team

I am not well versed in advanced accountng & am an amateur investor. Could you please explain why Sales Force.Com (CRM) and Netsuite (N) on NYSE, stock prices keep rising even though their income statements show several years of Operating Losses. I thought the market punishes non-profitable companies.
Read Answer Asked by Francis on January 28, 2014
Q: I have some HVPW Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund in my portfolio. One piece that I do not understand, is how bad must the market be for this fund to have a significant loss
Read Answer Asked by Richard on January 28, 2014
Q: Hi Peter & Co.

My question is about the advantages and disadvantages of buying the same ETF's in different forms. My example would be using the Vanguard Fund ETF's symbol VGG, VGH and VIG. VGG is a Canadian ETF sold on the TSX in $Cdn whose sole holding is VIG, a US$ ETF that you have recommended on many occasions. VGH is also sold on the TSX and is $Cdn Hedged., it's sole holding is also the US VIG. Is it advantageous to buy VGG in $Cdn and own VIG indirectly or is it better to buy VIG on the US exchange in a $US account. What is the advantage or disadvantage of each route to buying and holding VIG?
Many thanks for a wonderful service.

Bill
Read Answer Asked by William on January 27, 2014
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