skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hello 5i Team,

We recently settled my parents estate and the 3 sons (me included) received a fairly large transfer in the form of 5 ETFs including ZAG (9%), XEF (11%), XUS (3%), XIC (13%) and VFV (12%). This now represents almost half of the total portfolio whereas the remainder is invested in diverse stocks and some other ETFs mostly on your advice. I think you like ZAG for bonds but I’d like to ask if any of the other ETFs seem problematic to you or would you switch any with a similar focus? We also own some XQQ, WXM, IWO and VUN (all at about 2% each). Looking to retire in 10-15 years and with a pretty good risk tolerance.

Thank you for your help!

John

Read Answer Asked by John on May 10, 2022
Q: Good afternoon,

Looking for some general guidance.

I currently have 25% of my portfolio in CAD-listed US ETF's - 14% XUU, and 11% ZSP. I have a few questions for you guys....

1. Would you ever put just 25% in (either) ETF or do you like that fact theyre different (I think you recommend no more than 15% per ETF max? is that correct?). I'd see the advantage of all-in one being better for DRIP'ing but think you (and me) prefer diversification.

2. I would like to add more American holdings in general (maybe 8% more to get to 33%). I am mostly interest in CAD-ETF's to achieve this. Would you view XQQ or XUS as a way to add some 'torque'?

Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on August 20, 2021
Q: Good morning,

I have some cash and am looking to add more non-Canadian content to my stock portfolio which is 79.5% Canadian stocks. I have only 4.5% in Europe in FEZ (US$) and XEU (C$), and 16% in individual US stocks. I have no emerging markets. I am thinking of adding to XEU because the European market is cheaper than the US and the large number of value stocks in the ETF should benefit from re-opening in Europe. For a balanced investor would it be reasonable to double Europe to 9% by adding to XEU bringing foreign content to 25%?
Read Answer Asked by Ken on May 18, 2021
Q: So I'm a lot less diversified than I thought and have something like 35+% of my investments in Tech. I have a good deal of money in XUS, XUU, and XAW. I thought I was getting diversification, but I didn't realize how heavily weighted in Tech (25% or more) these ETFs were. A few smaller investments (SKYY, IGV, GOOG) put me far more into the Tech space than I realized.

What's the best way to invest in broad ETFs without being so heavily invested into Tech? I feel like 20% is already a high weighting for this sector
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 16, 2021
Q: Hey Guys,

I'm thinking of building up my portfolio with ETF's, currently my companies are BTCC.B, ARKK, XUS, HCLN, PSYK. Any suggestion on good additions, and thoughts on these ETF's.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on February 25, 2021
Q: Looking for a 2nd opinion.
My wife has stayed out of the stock market for quite some time. I think now's a great time to get in.
We've got about $75K in her RRSP/LIRA My strategy for her is as follows:
XBB 20%
VCN 15%
XUS 40%
XAW 25%
The plan is to buy in in installments over the next 3 months.
Are there alternate ETFs that may be better than the allocation above?
Does this strike you as reasonable ?
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 24, 2020
Q: Considering buying US large caps ETF when things turn more positive.
To hedge or not to hedge with the Cdn$ having fallen so much largely but not only because of the Russia/Saudi war on the price of oil - which will get resoved. I understand under normal circumstances your preference for not hedging.
Thanks for your great service especially during these uncomfortable times.
Read Answer Asked by bill on March 23, 2020
Q: Since the tax benefits for HXT, HXQ, HTB, HXS have or will be diminished, is there any reason to continue to hold them or should we be switching to other etf's, is so which ones would you recommend?
Thanks for your service.
Read Answer Asked by Ozzie on April 24, 2019
Q: With a 20 year time frame, my daughter has some money to invest in her portfolio which consists of:
Canada: PDC (25%) ZAG (30%), Money Market (10%).
US: XUS (20%), ZQQ (5%),
Europe: XEU (10%)
If the US and China reach a trade deal she might move 5% from Money Market to ZEM.
Given that the bull market is long in the tooth, would it make sense to move XUS to VGG? The composition of VGG appears more defensive and the reduction in technology stocks is compensated by her position in ZQQ. Growth has been similar, the dividends and BETA are about the same, and VGG's MER is lower (.08 vs. .11). Your advice would be appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on February 25, 2019
Q: Recently read John Bogle, "Common Sense Investing"

What are my choices for purchasing the s & p 500 index, please compare MER, do all offer a canadian hedge? and what are the pros and cons of buying it hedged to canadian dollar?

thanks

Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on January 03, 2019
Q: Hi, I have my portfolio distribution
10% in a short term bond (RRSP)
50% in XUS (Registered)
25% in HXS (TFSA)
15% in my Non Registered Account (HXT).

Is it time to move to a more definsive strategy. I am thinking of shiftin about 30 % in the likes of BCE and another 20% to short term bonds. Would you be ok with this?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Abhishek on December 04, 2018
Q: Hello,
I would like to buy S&P 500 index through ETF. Could you explain the differences among VFV/T, XUS/T and ZSP/T. Which one of them you recommend? Should I convert Canadian dollars to US dollars to buy SPY? Should I buy hedged ETF(S&P 500 index)?
Thanks
Victor
Read Answer Asked by Victor on March 23, 2018
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!