Investment Q&A

Q: As I’m running low on time to spend on investing, I’m thinking of selling all of my equities and buying ETFs instead. I’m considering the following ETFs in a 1:1:1:1 distribution.

XIC
XUU
XEF
ZEM

Could you please give me the pros and cons of these ETFs, and alternatives if you feel there are any that are better.

Thank you very much for your service.

Q: I’m considering setting up a TFSA for a spouse who is not interested in selecting stocks/managing investments.
Should I stick to ETFs or mix ETFs with a few conservative stocks?

Q: With a long term view, what proportion would you allocate to each of the above to make a balanced portfolio?

Thank you

Q: For ETF’s there are a number of variations of a given index such as market capitalization weighting vs equal weight capitalization vs capped weighting and for Canadian versions of US ETF’s hedged vs unhedged. I’m sure I’m probably missing other differentiating options. For someone who wants to invest in Canadian (rather US) dollars, and given all these different options, I’m wondering what your preferred funds would be for S&P500, NASDAQ100, and an international ex-US ETF and a brief comment for each as to the rationale why? For coverage of the TSX do you prefer a fund that tracks the TSX60 or the entire index and which one would that be? Would these suggestions differ depending upon whether the funds are held in a non-registered account vs an RRSP vs other registered accounts (TFSA, FHSA and RESP)? Thanks.

Q: I look after a RESP for my grandchildren and I have IWO, VFV, VGG, at equal weight. XIC, XQQ at a lower weight and only 2 stocks BN and LMN. Is there any more ETF that you would recommend to go with the ones I currently own? What 2 stocks would you recommend as well? The funds are not needed for 10 years,

Thanks

Q: Hi,

What do you recommend between XIC and XIU for a typical investor?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: I presently have these underwater stocks in a RESP. BCE, BEP.UN, ENB, FTS, LMN, XIC, ZEB, ZRE. The RESP will not be need for the next 10 years. I would like to sell some of these underwater stocks. Which stocks would you recommend keeping & which stocks would you recommend selling. Thanks … Cal

Q: I will be providing some funds for my grandson to invest in the market. My grandson is 13 years old and has indicated that he has a moderate to aggressive investment risk level. He would like to invest funds and hold the investments for approximately 10 years. For a 10 year hold, would you recommend moderate to high risk companies/ETFs over low risk companies/ETFs? My grandson is considering investing in ETFs and/or individual companies. Please provide your top 5 moderate risk ETFs, top 5 high risk ETFs, top 5 moderate risk companies and top 5 high risk companies with a brief comment on each investment. Please provide a general comment on the typical performance of ETFs vs individual companies. Thank you

Q: My niece is looking to enter the DIY investing world and move her TFSA over to an online self-directed account. Her advisor has her in these high fee accounts above. These look like funds for a retired person looking for income rather than for a 29 year looking to grow a TFSA with the goal to hopefully get a down payment for a condo some day. Could you please give some advice for a beginner investor, ETF's some Canadian and US equities to get her started. She's a bit nervous as all ne DIY investors are. Thank you

Q: My daughter has 50 thousand in her TFSA in cash, what would you suggest for a mix of stocks or should I just go to ETF's ?

Q: My son has held VFV and XIC in his RRSP account for a few years now. That was based on your recommendation around starting an ETF portfolio for him at that time.
He will have extra cash to contribute this year, and I'm wondering if he should maybe add some other ETF's at this point, or just continue to stick with these 2.
If he should add, what other ETF's would you recommend?
Also, for the 2 he already has, do you still think VFV and XIC are the best choices, or are there other ETF's you like better right now?
Thank you!

Q: Is TSX 60 ETF a buy today?

Q: a sunlife life insurance policy was purchased for grandchildren as an investment for them on the advice of a financial planner- I am embarrassed to say so far $9000 in annual premiums has been paid, with 11 more remaining before the policy is paid in full. If I cancel this policy it will be a loss. However; the dollars which would have gone to sunlife could be used for a better investment. Your suggestions would be welcomed. Thank you- (P.S.- I submitted this ? a moment ago-but my screen went black so I don't no if the ? was sent the first time)

Q: Which of XIC or XIU would you recommend buying, and at what price pls?

Q: Hi,
I’m trying to help my friend organize her investments. She has minimal understanding of investments securities and had to move her pension to LIRA and RRSP 15 years and told Canada Life mutual funds that she was conservative profile. Fast forward 15 years her mutual funds have made her minimal money with back ended fees. The funds range in MERS from 1.6% to 2.5%. In looking at her holdings the portfolio make up is approximately
Fixed income - 22%, Balanced income %11, Cnd equity 62%, resources/specialty -2%. Retirement is still 10-15 years away. (Her husband has a pension)What ETF’s would match this asset mix to help get her started independently and move away from the high fees? I was thinking VBAL … But it is conservative. Any suggestions would be great to provide choice on where to invest her money. Please take as many credits as you want.
Thanks so much!
Kerri

Q: Hoping you could suggest an ETF portfolio for an RRSP account with a minimum 12 years until withdrawals are made. The account is starting from scratch.
Thanks

Q: My kids opened RRSP's as soon as they were of age and contributed a small about (<$3,000). They make regular contributions.

Until the RRSP has enough funds to start thinking of diversification, what are the "top 3" possible stocks or ETFs you would consider if only having one investment, and if you could explain why its' a sound investment for each that'd be great.

Thanks very much,

Dave

Q: Can you suggest 10 best (sleep at night) low risk, monthly/quarterly income, tax efficient, Canadian etfs. Monthly preferred but not essential. Held in non registered account.

Q: Is there an ETF that provides equal weight coverage of the TSX similar to what EQL does for the S&P 500?
I would like to increase my ETF holdings providing a broad coverage of the Cdn market vs individual stocks. I already have a heavy weighting in individual financial stocks and most TSX ETFs would simply further skew my overall balance.

Q: This question or type of question was asked in the last week, but I can't find it. Sorry. My 2 kids each have about $100,000. I manage their money, but would prefer to just manage it through ETF's. Can you please suggest a portfolio of ETF's for reasonable growth (60-70% equities), but balanced with some bonds as well. If you want to cut and paste your answer to the question from a week ago, that would be great. Thanks a lot.