Investment Q&A

Q: Is HXS cap-weighted or equal weighted?
thanks jerry

Q: My plan is delay OAS, at the same time trying to not go overboard on dividend-payers in my taxable account to limit the clawback. I'm wondering if adding REITs instead tend to help that situation.

Generally speaking, is the payout from Canadian REITs such as GRT.UN and DIR.UN in a form that is beneficial in that regard? Is there a CAD ETF that invests in the U.S. that might also be a good idea?

I hope this doesn't come across as tax advice.

Q: Regarding your very quick response to my question yesterday where you stated "Capital gains are treated the same as Canadian gains, but must be converted to C$ for tax purposes." ZSP is a Canadian listed equity in Canadian dollars so I assume that I will not need to make any conversion when taking a capital gain? If I alternatively buy HXS (or HXQ) will capital gains be treated as Canadian only?
Thank you.

Q: For tax efficiency in a non registered account do you recommend HXS and HXQ over ZSP and ZNQ. For US dollars do you like HXS.U and HXQ.U.
For a long term hold what are your thought of HXT in this account?
Thanks

Q: Good morning,

I'm looking at buying an ETF that tracks the S&P 500 for my TFSA account and am considering VFV.CA.

Withholding tax is a concern and given that VFV.CA holds US stocks, would there be a withholding tax on any of the dividends distributed and if so would you kindly recommend a few other similar ETFs that track the S&P 500 where the withholding tax is not a concern. Thank you.

Q: For tax reasons, I want to buy some ETFs or stocks in my unregistered account, that pay little or no dividends. Which of the Horizon's total return ETFs would you recommend at this time? HSAV seems to be really unstable and I am concerned it could be a money loser in the short term. I read in the G & M that the manager of Langsford Wealth Counsel in Oakville has been buying HXDM with better valuation than the US. Thanks!

Q: Hello Folks:

We are seniors who would like to place 200,000 from a 1,300,00 investment account (all stocks) into a top rated Canadian based S&P 500 index fund. Another good alternative may be Berk. B. shares. Growth is more than income as they will reside in our TFSA accounts. I do understand Vanguard & Berk. B. good options, however have little practical knowledge; particularly with taxation issues.
You folks are truly amazing!!!!
brian

Q: Could you please share some of your favourite corporate class ETFs for a retiree that needs to 'park' some money for say 1-5 years ? This would be in a taxable account.

Q: If held in a TFSA, I believe RSP would be exposed to an American withholding tax. If this is the case, can you recommend a Canadian based equivalen that wouild not?

Q: I am wondering what your thoughts are on annuities for a retiree, assuming no need to leave wealth on passing. Also assuming two scenarios: (1) putting all one's money in annuities, and (2) a small portion to ensure not ending up homeless while investing the rest in high risk growth stocks. Okay let's add a third one, a well balanced portfolio all in equities a little light though on dividends, with a floor protection of annuities. Talking about a straight life annuity, nothing fancy. Thank you.

Q: I want to invest in the S&P 500 in my unregistered accounts with HXS. Are you comfortable holding this total return ETF? Are there any known government issues with total return ETFs - I recall the Fed Government challenged these in the past? In registered family accounts I plan to use VFV and/or ZSP - do you prefer one over the other? For safety, would it be a good idea to use both?
Thanks!

Q: Hi Team,

Can you please explain how the CAD/USD exchange rate effects this ETF?

Thanks,

Q: Hello,
I am trying to understand how Horizons S&P 500 Index ETF tracks the index. At the moment I'm typing this message, the S&P 500 sits at 0% daily change, SPY at -0.03% while HXS is at -1.09% and HXS-U is at -1.08%. Why do we see such significant deviation from the index in $3.5B ETF with very high trading volume and close spread between bid and ask? Thanks.

Q: Seeking clarity on corporate class etfs. Does this structure exist using US dollars and does it exist in the US? Is there any other provider other than Horizons? Does the structure result in dividends being reinvested in the etf thus becoming taxable as a capital gain when the etf is sold and therefore not taxable as dividend income while the etf is held? So does this structure assist an investor who wishes to reduce income for tax purposes during the period the etf is held? THANKS

Q: Hi Team,

Can you tell me the main differences from a composition standpoint between the two etfs and which you would prefer for a long term hold ?

Thank you

Q: Dear 5i
The above noted ETFs are the ones i commonly use in my RRSP , TFSA and non registered accts .
CDZ and ZLB are used for CDN content and the rest for US content.
I believe there is probably some redundancy in these and was wondering which ETFs could be left out .
Which ETFs would you use for RRSPs , which for the TFSAs and which for the non-registered acct .?
Thanks
Bill C

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

Two questions; please deduct credits accordingly.

Question 1 - I plan to sell one ETF (HXS) and two stocks (SJ & TCN) for a tax loss and then buy them back after 30 days. Please suggest proxies for each that I could buy as a replacement for the 30 days. These are held in a margin account.

Question 2 - I own WCP in my RRIF, and find that its volatility is harder for me to handle than I had thought. (Its beta is 3.26). Now that I'm in the black with it, I was thinking of two alternatives; selling WCP and adding to an existing profitable position in TOU (beta = 1.62), or starting a new position in XOM (beta = 1.07). XOM would increase my US exposure which needs to be increased, according to Portfolio Analytics. What's your take on this strategy?

Alternative ideas for each question would be welcome, and as always, thanks for your insight.

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

In reading answers to questions posed by others, I get the impression that 5i isn't in favour of averaging down as an investment strategy, due to the potential for further losses. These possible losses are of course greater for individual stocks and less so for ETFs, according to what I've read.

However, if a non-registered account contains some cash, and the holdings are ones that 5i has made positive comments in the past, in what order might you consider adding to the following?
HXS (down 8.86%)
SJ (down 18.7%)
TCN (down 12.62%)

Thanks for your guidance and respected advice.

Q: I'm a new subscriber to your services this year and much appreciate your independent thought on investments. What is a good fully diversified ETF that is capital gains oriented over dividends? I've focused on dividend paying stocks over past 30 years, and while I'm enjoying working - want to avoid paying more than 1/2 my dividends income to gov. When I stop working I would convert back to dividend based investments to provide my income. Thank you.

Q: I would like to hold HXS in an unregistered account and fees appear to be about 0.5% - could you please clarify total fees? I plan to hold HXS for a very long time (20+ years): in the unlikely event that Horizons was to go bankrupt, what would happen to my investment? Thanks!!