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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: 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
Q: Hi

I am retiring in the near future and am looking at increasing my income based positions. I am looking for a REIT or ETF. Can you suggest any? Currently I am not holding any.
Read Answer Asked by Stuart on September 21, 2020
Q: Hi
If you had to put together a shopping list of solid long term dividend payers that you could pick-up if things went on sale again in the coming quarters, what would you buy? I'd want yields north of 7% so it would have to be a good sale. :)
And if you wanted to do it in one swoop with an ETF, would one of these be suitable: XEI or XDIV?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on September 01, 2020
Q: Can you please recommend what you believe is currently the best Canadian dividend ETF for monthly income and relative stability in this unstable market. You have recommended XEI in the past, but it has about about 11% more Energy stocks compared to ZDV, although XEI does have 5% less financials. I am looking for a long term hold for income in retirement. Thanks, Grant
Read Answer Asked by Grant on April 27, 2020
Q: you recently ranked XEI more highly than CDZ. Could you offer a comparison between the 2? I have read elsewhere that CDZ, which I own, holds too many high yield/high risk
stocks. Would substituting XEI address that, or would it create its own issues?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by M.S. on April 16, 2020
Q: Please rank the above ETFs in order of preference for income and safety. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Paul W on April 08, 2020
Q: Hello 5i, I currently own the BMO Monthly Income Fund (25% of porfolio) and some xtr(2%). I wish to liquidate the fund and get another etf or 2 to replace it and am considering the above dividend etfs. I would like the best of both worlds high yield/low fees and some growth with low volatility Which of the 4 would you consider adding to my xtr etf and why? Should I also increase my xtr holding. I have some GIC and am trying to be on the conservative side with this account but do hold some reits and utility etfs.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by pietro on April 30, 2019
Q: Good Day 5i,
Which Canadian Dividend ETF's do you recommend, The main choices I have been looking at are CDZ, XDV, XEI, VDY, ZDV. I Currently hold CDZ and XDV.

Thanks,
Dan
Read Answer Asked by Dan on April 03, 2019