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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: I have cash from a maturing GIC and am looking at options to reinvest it. I am considering evenly investing it in these 4. Time horizon is 2 to 5 years, low to medium risk. I would appreciate your thoughts on these or if there are other ETF's to consider. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by George on December 09, 2024
Q: In an effort to minimize currency exchange costs, I am using separate all-in-one etfs for my CAD and USD accounts. The xbal for the CAD and the AOR for the USD account. I would be interested to know your thoughts and whether this merits attention. The xbal and others similar have huge Canadian weight which I would be happy to avoid. On the USD side they seem to have this sorted. My biggest beef there is that it is very US heavy and frustratingly, not visible in the 5i database. Could you please advise on option of xbal and aor, and also please look into integration of the AOR and comparable series?
Thanks
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on November 28, 2024
Q: What are some ETFs that I can use to diversify my portfolio and have as a buy and hold strategy. 20+ year hold in TFSA. I want a portion of my portfolio that I don't have to look at at all. I currently have VFV and VEQT.
Read Answer Asked by Danielle on November 25, 2024
Q: Do you have any concerns with someone holding these ETF’s for a 3 to 5 year time period?
Read Answer Asked by David Michael on November 25, 2024
Q: I would like to add some Int’l diversification to my TFSA by way of a CAD listed ETF. Could you recommend a couple of ETFs that would exclude Canada? Also another option that would exclude Canada and USA? Priority would be growth and if possible tax efficiency.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on November 20, 2024
Q: I currently have the above in various portfolios. I would like to add an ETF or 2 for the US market in that deals in (CAD) funds. Can you provide a few for ETF's that would complement my current holdings . Thanks David .
Read Answer Asked by David on November 19, 2024
Q: What are your recommended non-Canadian equity ETFs?
Do you prefer US only ETFs, or worldwide non-Canadian ETFs, for a long term hold?
Is it more likely that US equities will outperform non-US, such as Europe and Japan, or is it too hard to tell?
Read Answer Asked by David on November 13, 2024
Q: I am a retiree and looking for conservative growth stocks with target of 3 to 5 years hold. Dividend is nice, but, not important. Based on the current market condition and valuations, could you recommend 5 Canadian stocks and 3 global ETFs? Please suggest an entry point with a note for the reason of recommendations. Thanks so much.
Read Answer Asked by Teresa on July 29, 2024
Q: According to portfolio tracking and analysis, I am short on basic materials, consumer cyclical, consumer defensive, health care and industrials. I’m also significantly short on international equities. With this in mind, can you provide your top 3 to 5 companies for each sector to increase my holdings in basic materials, consumer cyclical, consumer defensive, health care and industrials. To increase my exposure in international equities, I will be investing in ETFs. Please provide and rank the top 5 ETFs with international exposure. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Don on November 14, 2023
Q: I own TOCA. Performance has been OK. But less than I expected from an aggressive ETF. Do you know a similar ETF of ETFs , with little Canadian and income exposure? I have XAW too, which I prefer.

I also own VGRO but not very growth-oriented with too much income, so I might get rid of VGRO. Your thoughts?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Denise on June 12, 2023
Q: For a newly retired conservative investor, can you please recommend some good overall ETFs?
Maybe one that covers the globe conservatively?
For an unregistered account.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Lois on May 17, 2023
Q: I hold these in an RESP with the following weighting (BIP 18%, Goog 18% VGRO 23%, XAW 41%) and I am considering selling to purchase a 3 year GIC as my eldest child is approaching post-secondary education.

Which holding would you reduce?
Can you rank these holding in terms of risk?
Is there an alternative security other than a GIC that should be considered?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Simon on November 29, 2022
Q: Hi, I appreciate the great work you have been doing to share knowledge.
I am considering the smith manoeuvre and would like to invest about $100K for a start in an etf vs Canadian dividend stocks. I would appreciate if you can share your thoughts on any ETF or ETFs that would be ideal considering the issues with ROC and ACB at tax filing time. I am also considering the importance of geographic diversification, hence the reason that I am not too convinced on going the route of Canadian dividend stocks. I am on the 50% marginal tax bracket and would also like to invest tax efficiently perhaps more towards growth than high dividends.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Sandak on September 07, 2022
Q: Peter,

What etfs would you recommend for consideration that would cover equities outside of North America, in Canadian dollars. I am looking more towards the more established economies rather than emerging markets.

Thanks

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on September 06, 2022