Investment Q&A

Q: REITs, utilities, and other dividend and low volatility assets are being hammered today. Any idea why? Is the market suddenly starting to think rates will be increased? You don't often see ZLU down 2% in a day.

Q: Hi 5i team, Regarding my question on Apr 26 on foreign properties to be reported on T1135 to CRA, your answer was “If you are buying Canadian-based ETFs that hold foreign securities, then no. If the ETFs are US-based (US domiciled, US management companies) then yes.” Please expand and clarify your previous answer so I am not making assumptions. Are you saying if I buy ETFs from Vanguard or Blackrock then they are considered ‘foreign’? How about if I buy ETFs from Canadian subsidiaries of Vanguard, Blackrock, iShares? Or are you saying all ETFs listed on the Canadian exchanges are Not considered as ‘foreign’? Examples would be useful. Thanks for the clarification.

Q: Hi 5i
I am completely new to the world of ETFs but, according to Portfolio Analytics (and I did know it was a good idea before being told, really I did) I need to add US and International exposure to my portfolio. I think the only reasonable way for me to do that given I don't/can't follow non-Canadian equity markets is through ETFs.
I would like to place 55K in US ETFs and 45K in International ETFs and this will, for now, comprise the entire non-Canadian portion of my portfolio.
I am not adverse to some above average risk and while I'd like income I'm more interested in growth.
In researching where to place this money I've concluded that I might not have the candle power necessary to make rational decisions about ETFs because of the distinct possibility of purchasing ETFs that hold the same or similar underlying equities from the same or similar geographies in the same or similar sectors (assuming I'm not just concentrating on discrete sectors). Left to my own devices I feel that I could very possibly purchase a little bundle of different ETFs that are all essentially but unintentionally quite similar.
My question is two-fold:
1. Is my concern about concentration valid or have I misinterpreted the lay of the land, and
2. Could you suggest 4 or 5 US ETFs and a similar # of International ETFs that I can consider and that won't have the type of overlap I'm worried about.
I realize this is a broad and general (and perhaps rambling) question - so please deduct as many credits as you think is warranted.
Thanks a lot!
Peter

Q: Hi 5i,
I would appreciate your thoughts on these two CDN listed ETF's that employ two different methods for creating a US Low Volatility ETF.
ZLU uses individual stock Beta and XMU optimizes for minimum portfolio Variance.
ZLU reconstitutes/rebalances once per year and XMU does it twice per year.
ZLU trading volumes appear higher than XMU but, XMU underlying US ETF is very high and high market value.
ZLU holdings are 103 and ZMU is 215.
MER's are about the same for both at approx. 0.33
I intend to use these in my RRSP and TFSA and trade them based on monthly trends.
ZLU holds the stock directly so there may be some saving in an RRSP. XMU holds the underlying US ETF for exposure.
Which one would you buy for a RRSP/TFSA?
Can you suggest alternatives that might be better for US Low Volatility sold on a CDN exchange?

thanks

Q: Hello 5i,
I am not very bullish on the Canadian economy considering the provincial and federal politics and lack of leadership in regards to the Energy and now Agricultural Industry.
So I am thinking of splitting my portfolio up into 3 categories, Growth Stocks, Dividend Paying Stocks and ETF's for global and sector diversification. ZLU & ZWH for US low volatility and Dividend, CDZ for Canadian Dividend and VGRO & XWD for global diversification and growth. Your thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks,
SF

Q: I am very fortunate to be a member of 5I,Thanks
I wish you were actively advising on US stocks meanwhile however
for me to start please suggest some US stocks or etf for not very aggressive
stocks with high volatility but something like BNS,SLF,td in Canada Income is not my priority but steady growth is in my mind not stocks like canabis?
I appreciate your sugestion and has always benefited from them
Nizar

Q: Hi, 60 year old investor. Wanted to get your thoughts on a portfolio consisting of about 11% each of zlb, xiu, wxm, zqq, zsp, zlu and ~ 33% zag. Won’t need the money for about 5 years. Thanks, Mike

Q: I have a very good gain this year and my technical are telling me we will be probably in a sideways or slightly down market until the fall and I am looking at a combination of zwh and zlu to put the harvested gains. my question is where they fit in my portfolio either in a registered account or non registered acct. if you could help me with this small problem it would be appreciated. thanks for the great service...gene-

Q: Hi there, it seems like more and more commentary is stating we are in late cycle. Assuming this means that we will soon see a recession in the next 12-18 months, would it make sense to hide out in a low volatility ETF for the time being? It seemed to have held up pretty well in the 2018 Q4 drop. What are your thoughts regarding this strategy and between ZLU and ZLB which would be preferred to be in, or would you split your portfolio 50/50 for diversity? Thanks!

Q: Gordon Pape has recommended ZLU,as a possible ETF investment.Would you buy the hedged or unhedged version?

Q: I'm looking for a conservative etf to get US exposure. What do you think of RWU? Would you prefer it's hedged version?

Q: I own 5 I income stocks that more than cover my expenses in retirement and hold about 75% of the balanced portfolio. But, I have msft, mu, fdx and nvda in u.s exposure and am thinking of using zlu to complete the u.s. ...would you endorse this strategy or use something else ...thanks for the great service...gene

Q: Hi Guys

I am about to receive about 500k inheritance . I would like to invest it for income. I was thinking of just buying CDZ or would you recommend a basket of equities. My wife and I are both in our early 60s.I have a self directed account with Action direct. Thanks in advance

Mike

Q: Hello
Is there a low volatility ETF traded in US similar to BMO's ZLU?
It is my understanding that if the Canadian dollar appreciates against the US dollar the increase in value of the ZLU will be eroded. Am I right on this?
Thank you for your ongoing assistance

Q: I have 11% ZLU, 19% CDZ, 50% SDY, !% VWO, 15% VEA and 3% CGL in a RIF. I need to sell $12K from a RIF. Is there something you would recommend selling, or just move in kind?

Q: I am aiming for 60% of my investments to be outside of Canada. I have a number of index ETFs (VFV, VA, XQQ, HXS, HXQ, VLQ, VMO) but I am wondering if I need some active ETFs. One I came across is Evolve Active Managed Core Equity ETF ( listed on TSX as CAPS) which has a solid return but higher MER at .95% plus very little information available. Are you familiar with his ETF? Do you recommend this active ETF or do you have other suggestions? Do you like the idea of holding some (10%) of a portfolio in active ETFs?

Q: My TFSA is worth about 26000. I do not need the money and have a long time horizon - say twenty years. I intend to maximize the annual contribution limit. Currently I have roughly equal positions in ZLU, VMO, VVL, and VGG. Plus a smaller position in CBL, which has tanked, but pays a dividend.
What do you recommend for a TFSA makeover, if any, in this case?

Q: Good afternoon. I currently have $30k in my daughters RESP. Where should I park it for 3 more years?

Q: Have over 20 years until retirement. VVL has been a disappointment , seems to be holding too many stocks that underperform and has substantially low dividend yield compared to VCN/VUN.

RRSP Account
ZUH 10%
VVL 7%
ZGI 8%
COW 10%
XWD 6%
ZLU 7%
ZLB 7%
VXC 5%
ZID 2%
VUN 7%
CWW 9%
XGD 6%
XIT 8%
Cash 8%

What would be your top 5 etfs for a long term hold?

Q: Any thoughts on global/non-TSX low volatility ETFs as bond-like stabilizers for an equity portfolio? Which funds do you favour?