Investment Q&A

Q: Why don't you have a sector breakdown in portfolio tracking and analysis for HXS. It is important to me, I hope you can fix this. I really appreciate all of you at 5i Research and often tell others about you.

Q: In a C$Cash account, Is there an advantage buying HXS or VFV? Which one do you recommend and why?

Q: Hello 5i
I notice that you have often mentioned Harvest etf’s in relation to tax efficiency. I haven’t paid too much attention to this in the past. But, now I am interested. I have searched the questions but don’t seem to find what I am looking for. Currently in a non-registered account I hold some vbal. I don’t like the taxes i will pay, though. I want to switch to something more tax efficient.

How exactly does Harvest manage not to require to pay taxes on dividends? I know they re invest the money but i don’t know how that works.

What would be the downside? Higher mer, i imagine. Anything else?

I would be looking for a general market etf, either Canadian or US, or both, if available. I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.
Thankyou

Q: Are Horizons HXS and HXT reasonable ETFs for a beginner investor with no interest in investing? Is there methodology still a viable one?

Q: Thanks for a recent suggestion for U.S. exposure in an open CAD account - HXS.

In my RRSP I was going to add BRK.B and was surprised by its low PE ratio of about 9. Is this correct? Maybe there is a better metric to use to evaluate this equity(?)

AVNV seems to be the perfect non-U.S. compliment in my RRSP (except for that bit of exposure it has to Canada…which is fine). I like the fact that it is an international Value ETF - a mixture of large, small and Emerging Market. I doubt there a better comparable option, but figured I’d ask if you are aware of one.

Q: The tax gross-up effect of my Canadian dividend paying stocks is creating an OAS clawback concern in my non-registered account. Looking for tax-efficient US and International ETF’s. I don’t want ex-Canada ones because I want to have the flexibility to adjust weightings between these two.

Would HXS be a good option for US? The MER isn’t the best but maybe okay. I don’t know for the International. Thoughts?

Q: Is there an equivalent to HXS in USD? If not, which ETF would be similar with no dividends?

Thanks for your service!

Q: I am looking at putting together a medium to high risk portfolio of ETF's to generate above average returns (above 9-12%) over a 5 to 10 year timeframe for a portion (5-10%) of my overall portfolio. Sector diversification is not a major consideration in this portfolio of ETF'S, more the long term growth. If I were to pick 4 or 5 what would you recommend from this list or if you have a better alternative please suggest that. I am looking to equal weight into each of the ETF's. Thanks in advance for your suggestion.

Q: Crystal ball question: Would you buy XUS now or wait a little? Any other ETF or stocks you would suggest for US exposure in RIF? Much Thanks for your comments.

Q: I am considering buying HXS but noticed the mer is .11% and the ter is .30% for a total of .41%. This seems huge, especially given other S&P 500 etf's like VFV have a ter of 0. Why is this?

Q: If using your balanced portfolio as my canadian content for an equity portfolio could you please recommend some equity etfs for ex canadian content and what % would be canadian of the total portfolio? I was thinking 40% and 60% outside canada

Thx

Q: Hi, I was looking for a US Growth ETF sold on the Cdn exchange that is the equivalent of VUG that I can buy with Cdn dollars.

Thx

Q: Do you prefer HXS or VFV for a FHSA with a timeline of 3-5 years? and what would be your reasoning?

Q: Has Horizon simply changed its name or has it sold to a new company?? The above funds are now called Global X.... If sold, can you please tell me about the new company.
Thanks!

Q: The above holdings are in an RESP that won’t be required for at least 7 years. For new money, which sectors to add and a couple of suggestions please.

Q: Thanks for all the great work you do.

To obtain the total return HXS adds the dividend to the NAV.

My question is, is this distributed say quarterly or annually, or is this done throughout the ex div dates of all the S&P holdings (seems like a lot of math).

Thank you

Q: Good morning,


I am not crystal clear on the most tax efficient account to hold each of the above listed ETFs and before moving any of them to another type of account, I would very much appreciate your guidance on the most tax efficient type of account to hold each of the above listed ETFs.

The above listed ETFs are all held in our family Registered (RRSP/TFSA/RESP) and Non-Registered accounts.

Thank you and I'll await your sage advice.

Q: Hi there,

What’s a Swap ETF? Seems like Horizons has some of them. Apparently they are very tax efficient in non-registered accounts and have higher than average yields?

What do you think?

Ok thanks!

Q: Dear 5i
I`m sure i`ve asked this question before but i cannot find your answer to this question .
Do you have to include ETF's that are Canadian listed that hold US stocks such as HXS and ZSP as part of my foreign reporting re foreign assets on my taxes ?
Also i have 3 ETF's that apparently have Trust or Partnership income (ZLB,CDZ,ZSP ). I have not received this notification before from my brokerage firm so i'm assuming this is a relatively new structuring of these particular ETF's . That said , is trust and partnership income taxed more or less than other forms of income ? Are you taxed on this income derived from capital gains , dividend or interest income ?
Thanks
Bill C

Q: Can you please suggest a few ETF's for a young investor who has recently opened a brokerage account.
My 30 y/o son will be transferring funds currently held at his bank. (TSFA , RESP, RRSP accounts) He is looking for long term investments options.

We as grand parents have started a RESP for each of the grandchildren. Looking after their first year RESP contributions. Currently invested in HXS and a small VFV position.
Can you please give some options for :
RRSP
RESP
TSFA
Thank you
Gord