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Investment Q&A

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

Q: hi
I’m trying to build a simple ETF portfolio with TSX & S&P500 exposure so that’s it’s easy to add during dips.
For the S&P500 i’m thinking XSP.
Not sure what to do about the TSX. Undecided on XIU, XEI or XDIV. I realize the composition of each is different. Energy, Financials, Utilities etc. What would you do?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on April 15, 2025
Q: I sold my individual dividend stocks and am replacing them with an ETF for simplicity. How would you rate/compare these dividendETFS? Which two do you prefer? I'll put 1 in my rrsp and a another in my TFSA. I am diversified in other countries already. I'm thinking XDIV and XEI might be the safest?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on February 24, 2025
Q: I have $100,000 of cash in an investment account, am looking for some conservative ETF’s with 1/3 going to fixed income, same to Cdn Equity and balance to Global. Any suggestions? Given the trade war with the USA, I might sit on the sidelines for a few weeks so ny thoughts on best way to invest the cash with good liquidity. I was looking at HISA ETF’s but they are very low currently.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 06, 2025
Q: It is rare that I ask this question coming from an 84 year old senior, but all the above equal weighted ETF's are presently in my TFSA and can't decide how to invest for the 2025 contribution. Which ETF I should I be adding to the above list or should I be adding a new one that is not in the portfolio?
Also are any of those listed that do not belong in a TFSA?
Thanks for your usual great service.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on January 29, 2025
Q: I want to keep a portion of my money in safer/ income producing assets. I have a sum of money in a high interest cash account > 4.25%. What is the difference between the 2? Would it not make sense to keep all the money in the cash acct? Or what would the pros and cons of this be?
Read Answer Asked by Danielle on October 23, 2024
Q: I currently own ZEB, ZUT AND ZDV for income. I'm considering to add one of either XEI or XDIV or sell my holdings and consolidate into one of either XEI or XDIV. Please advise whether adding or consolidating is better and which of XEI and XDIV is the better one. Please take as many credits as required.

Thanks 5i !! Ken
Read Answer Asked by Kenneth on October 07, 2024
Q: Hey team. I'm a senior, dividend investor and I have been investigating both Ishares XEI (S&P Comp High Div ETF) and Vanguards VDY (Vangaurd FTSE Canadian High Div Yield Index ETF).
They look pretty much the same with slightly different holdings with XEI having a slightly higher dividend. Looking for your advice as to which one has the edge on the other. I own XEI now.
My second question is on the Ishares ETF- FIE (Canadian Financial Monthly Income) Yield of 6.49% when I looked. I'm not real happy with the high MER of .80 Would you know of an equivalent ETF with a lower MER that I could research? Cheers and thanks for your expertise and advice. Bill
Read Answer Asked by William on September 18, 2024
Q: Hello Peter & Team,

I know (looking at previous questions) 5i likes XEI as do I with the good dividend I continue to enjoy. But it has languished since Aug 2022 when I took up a position to the tune of (as of today) a tad over -8%. Considering market conditions since that time and the fact the Blackrock index is made up of some 50+ S&P/TSX composite index stock, shouldn't I be enjoying a little bit better performance on the capital gains side of things? My goal with this ETF was to enjoy the dividend and appreciate a 4 or 5% per year return or at least stay close to par. Is there something I'm missing? Are my expectations unreasonable? What is your interpretation of what drives this ETF?

Thanks for all you do

gm
Read Answer Asked by Gord on July 18, 2024
Q: Looking for an ETF that you feel would be a good candidate for growth plus a fairly high dividend (5% or more).
Thank you for your good service, looking forward to your answer.
Earl
Read Answer Asked by Earl on July 10, 2024
Q: Hi Group i am 74 with a 500k portfolio. I do not need to use this money for another 5 yrs. I would like to slowly convert to dividend / growth / value ETFs. I am looking for yield of 5% or higher along with a 10% growth/value profile. Can yo give me your top 2 picks in the 6 main sectors that fir this criteria along with a few words explaining your selections. Thanks with your help with this
Read Answer Asked by Terence on May 15, 2024
Q: I am thinking about moving some of my portfolio to ETF's, and when I looked at CDZ holdings, I was surprised to see FSZ as their top holding - a stock you have recently seen as a sell. Do you have any suggestions for a Canadian ETF that is more about great companies with a growing Dividend and not so heavy in Financials and Telcos? Thank You!
Read Answer Asked by Pat on March 19, 2024
Q: Hello, I am helping my 25 year old daughter put together a sleep at night portfolio. She is not a hands on or active investor.

She has about $ 100K and of these selections which ones would you suggest? And, what else would you recommend?
in Addition to Canada, I want US exposure with ZSP, especially with the potential growth of AI.
Thanks
Carlo
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on January 16, 2024
Q: Good Morning 5i group. What are your thoughts for a recently retired person who has a large gain on CNR in an RRSP to sell the position tax free and buy an ETF say XEI and essentially triple the income and also diversify the portfolio further ?
Thanks for the great service, a different ETF or investment idea for consideration would be welcomed.
Read Answer Asked by STEVE on November 23, 2023
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