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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: If you were adding a dividend producing ETF to a pipeline, insurance and bank-focused portfolio (North American bias), which ETF would you use for:
a) dividend/total return
b) diversification?
Read Answer Asked by David on July 26, 2021
Q: I am looking for retirement monthly cash flow to supplement retirement. Can you please recommend some etfs and dividend aristocrats. About $400,000.
thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Pradip on July 09, 2021
Q: I currently have all 4 of these etf's in my tfsa. Would you think that some of these etf's are holding the same companies, if so which one would you suggest i keep and which ones would you say i sell. And if there any other ones would you suggest i replace them with. THANKS GUYS
Read Answer Asked by wilson on June 10, 2021
Q: Hi, Im interested in this etf for the income portion as it seems to pay a good dividend and holds some of the big blue chip cdn companies. Morningstar gives a 2 star rating. What is your analysis of this etf? Do you see a better rated etf. Looking for a good dividend payer with a low mer and some growth. Total return I would like is about 5-7 % including dividends. Already own xtr. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by pietro on June 04, 2021
Q: I own XEI, ALA, and TOUr but little oil.

I'm hoping to buy base metals and oil in an CDN etf. Do you think this is a good idea and what would you recommend?
I'm hoping to buy base metals and oil in an US etf. Do you think this is a good idea and what would you recommend?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on June 03, 2021
Q: As an older senior, I own CDZ for dividends. Would ZWC be a better option?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by M.S. on May 28, 2021
Q: Good morning,
Although a big fan and long time holder of all Mawer equity funds in my family portfolio, I'm now looking for the second time at dumping the MAW106 as a core holding given its inability to beat its benchmark index in the last few years probably due in part to its increasing popularity and size.
Would you kindly suggest a suitable ETF and/or a mutual fund replacement for MAW 106 or should I simply add to some my other existing core ETF holdings. I currently hold XIU, XIC, XDV and XEI.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on May 11, 2021
Q: I plan to retire in the next few years and have in mind to replace employment income with dividends. I have moderate to high risk tolerance. What dividend generating index funds or ETFs do you recommend to be in each of the following. My funds are split as noted below.
RRSP: 70%
TFSA: 10%
Cash account: 20%
Read Answer Asked by Michelle on March 24, 2021
Q: Of the above Canadian dividend ETFs, which one do you think has the best diversity and investment strategy for a very long-term hold? CDZ seems to have the highest 3-year return, followed closely by VDY, but the latter ETF seems high on the financial services at 59%; not sure how VDY determines their allocations.
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on March 11, 2021
Q: I am looking for a good Canadian high dividend ETF. VDY seems to have the best performance following the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. Can you tell me a bit more about the latter index and stocks are selected. I know the CDZ, also has some set criteria for selecting stocks based on dividend payment history. Thank you in advance for your comments!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on February 25, 2021
Q: My two main holdings are QQQ and VIG in the US and ZQQ and VFV and ZQQ in Canada. I'm looking for two medium risk etfs that will balance these with CD, OIL, Financials, health, and industrials . I'd like reasonable growth expected in the next few years but with a manageable lower risk beta?
1) Can you suggest 2 CDN ETFS
2) Can you suggest 2 US ETFS
3) Can you suggest 2-3 emerging markets ETFS

PS can you also explain why TDOC seems to have a beta of .15??? Considering its growth, that seems impossible?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on February 23, 2021
Q: First a big thank you for the terrific returns we received in 2020 thanks to your stellar guidance (our largest holdings we first discovered through 5i -hello LSPD,XBC and WELL!). We gifted our kids memberships in December and praise your service to everyone. This is truly an invaluable service.
Now to the question, my brother is tired of paying high fees for his CIBC pension holdings. When I looked into this for him last year, some pools had MER in the 2% range! He’s moved the following into cash and is looking for lower fee/higher return alternatives in the following areas of his pension account:
-Imperial Canadian Dividend Income Pool
-Imperial Canadian Equity High Income Pool
-Imperial US Equity Pool
-Imperial International Equity Pool
-Imperial Short Term Bond Pool
-Imperial Long Term Bond Pool
Please charge as many questions as required.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on January 21, 2021
Q: Happy New Year Peter and the 5i team! Thank you for another year of useful steady independent information flow to guide 5i members.

I am considering adding 5 large-cap or mid-cap Canadian sustainable dividend growth stocks that are currently under-valued in unloved sectors and now yielding at least 3%. MFC and SU stand out. What is your opinion about both as medium risk investments over the next 3-5 years?

In addition, please indicate your 3 best stock alternatives, and 3 best ETFs, in the medium risk large cap or mid-cap Canadian space with a solid record of dividend growth.

I realize this is a broad request so please deduct points as you deem appropriate.
Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by SG on January 04, 2021
Q: Hey there,
All of these etfs pay good dividends for a retiree. Can you compare/contrast the risks associated with each and in particular, and is there any compelling reason to switch to VRIF?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by kelly on November 17, 2020
Q: I/we have held XEI for some years across 2 TFSA accounts and 2 RRIF accounts (a holdover from a past full service investment service at a major bank). Based on original costs we are down 16.65%. This fund has performed badly this year despite some market recovery. I am considering selling a good part of these positions to purchase individual Canadian dividend paying stocks, growth stocks or other ETFs even though we can't realize any tax losses here. Is taking this loss a good idea? Should we hang on? Ideas and comments please. The good news is that, at the same time, we established positions in XSP and IVV which have done well. We are mid stage retirees with good cash flow and aiming to leave a nice legacy for family.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on October 27, 2020
Q: I am down in XEI and ZRE about 20% and 25% respectively;
in DGRO 2%.
Do you think it is worth waiting for a turnaround or should I
look to exchange for something more hopeful?
Although DGRO is only down a bit it has never gone up.
Would something like VUG be more growthy?
I would appreciate your assessment.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Sam on October 20, 2020