Investment Q&A

Q: I own ZWA.TO and it has drastically underperformed anything close to the benchmark dow. IYY, a Dow proxy listed in USD, is up 34% in past year while ZWA is up less than 10% on a price basis. Being a covered call ETF, yielding less than 6%, does not explain this huge %-point performance difference. Nor the fact that it is CAD-hedged. How can it be so poorly managed? What is going on with these BMO etfs? Can you recommend a broad CAD denominated global equity covered call ETF so I can replace ZWA?

Q: Hello 5i,
You recently mentioned HIND-T in a response.
On the surface, this would be ideal for my needs: increase U.S., increase Industrial, and increase dividend yield/income.
Conversely, it is very small (~23 m AUM?), trades very thinly, and is very, very new.
Given the above, how would you rate this equity as an investment for a retiree?
Any other caveats you would care to add?
Any similar, but better, alternatives that you would prefer?
Many thanks for your insights!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: Besides ZWA & ZDJ are there any other Canadian ETFs that invest in the Dow Jones Index. Thanks … Cal

Q: I'm interested in investing in several ETFs that use the covered call strategy to protect from downside pressure on their prices. I'm attracted to the high monthly distributions that some of them pay. Understanding there are disadvantage to this strategy if the market. turns up, please suggest 4 or 5 ETFs that you believe have a good chance of holding their value or increasing it while maintaining their distributions going forward.

Q: Good morning 5i, I am looking to add some covered call ETF’s to my holdings. Which covered call ETF’s would you recommend in the sectors of industrials, tech, consumer discretionary and energy. Which would you recommend reflecting the S&P 500.
Thank you in advance
Dan

Q: Hi team, I presently hold ZWA @t 8.63%, ZWE @ 4.74% and ZDI@ 2.89% of my portfolio. I am very happy with ZWA (up 46%), happy with ZWE (up 5%), and not impressed with ZDI (under water about 5%).
I'm thinking of selling ZDI and either redistributing funds into ZWA or ZWE or into something better at your recommendation. Conversely, would like your thoughts on ZDI? is better performance just waiting for the international economies to rebound after COVID? I'm looking for distribution with growth. As well, I fully understand that portfolio % holdings are individual risks. Convoluted question here but would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. Cheers, Bill

Q: Good morning, i know you are not real keen on income producing funds that sell options to enhance income but if you were buying a few, which ones would you recommend in today's market, thanks?

Q: Considering a 5 year time frame, what would be your allocation toward cdn oil (xeg), cdn ag (ntr), utilities (zwu), fixed income (hfr) and US (zwa & xqq). Above average risk tolerance seeking yield and capital gain. Are there any other suggestions....LSPD would also be a holding. thanks.

Q: I hear that those who make covered call ETF(s) are having a problem with the level of volatility. Do you understand what that means and whether that could cause some less liquid ones to dissapear, perhaps under a condition in their prospectus? I suppose black swan events like this one can make complicated products even more complicated to manage. Thank you.

Q: Hi, I'm a dividend/ income investor new to 5i and have a question on portfolio allocation % with regards to geographical location. ie - I have ETF's ZWA (USA) at 8.6% and ZWE (Europe) at 5%, (13.6% total ) of my overall portfolio. I have a general rule that no one position should be over 10% and no one sector more than 25% of my portfolio. What is 5i's perspective on this and would your recommendations be higher when you're talking ETF's that hold a basket of stocks?

Q: Is there any difference / benefit of holding these in a TFSA vs RRSP (tax wise). I understand the favorable tax treatment to US stocks in an RRSP via withholding tax. What about ETFs that trade on the TSX but hold US stocks?

Thank you!

Q: Hi team, I am looking to add some international diversification to my monthly income portfolio. I am looking for monthly income with some potential for capital appreciation. Do any of these funds overlap with each other? Which of these funds or combination of funds would be best for a non-registered account?
Thanks

Q: What percentage would you put into each of ZWA (hedged) and ZWH (unhedged), for long term, as a rule of thumb, without knowing the rest of one's portfolio, but figure it's a reasonable percentage of one's U.S. component. Thanks for your advice.

Q: Happy New Yea 5i, I am looking for income, please rank/rate the above, considering future interest increase influence, perhaps suggesting a better choice. Many thaks,J.A.P., Burlington

Q: Is there a Canadian ETF that covers the Dow Jones? I am aware of BMO'S ZDJ but I would prefer one not hedged to $Cdn.

Q: I am a fan of covered calls. I am retired and like the income, tax treatment and downside protection. In addition I like the diversity an ETF brings.
I hold all the above but am looking for more diversity. Are there equivalent US offerings? Does BMO have competing products that are more diverse?
Thanks

Q: BMO ETF ZWH is seriously underperforming YTD, in a strong US market. According to BMO website it is negative YTD whereas ZWA is up over 7% in the same timeframe. Is there some reason for this ? Longer term ZWH outperforms ZWA. Thanks for your insight.

Ted

Q: ZWA yield is 4.6%; ZWH yield is 5.8%. Is the risk higher in owing ZWH? Which one would you recommend? Thanks.

Q: Hello 5i,
I am looking to increase my U.S. and International exposure. I currently hold VIG-N, JNJ-N and a number of Canadian ETF's which also hold U.S. equities. I am open to either USD or hedged products and would like a yield in excess of 2.25% if practical. Since I look to yield for income I was considering ZWA. Would you have any other options you would prefer over ZWA?
On the Int'l. side I hold CYH and ZDI and am happy with both; I held VEE at one time, but the yield is on the lower side for my needs. Should I just increase my holdings in these two or, again, do you see a better option? I could move out of one or both of those if you think there is a more compelling option I'm missing.
As always .... thanks so much for all of your help - very much appreciated!!!
Have a great summer!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: You recently answered a question on these... would the distribution be income or dividends? Would any be okay in a tfsa or better in an rrsp or non-registered?