Investment Q&A

Q: Looking for some low volatility ETFs that can take a little turbulance
Am considering the above.How would you rate them in order and have I overlooked some other possibilities?

Q: Hi Peter. I own ZWH.U which is down about 26%. I had thought that the covered call strategy would have provided some shelter from the downdraft, but it appears that really isn't the case. Oh well. My question relates to going forward. Since the covered call strategy will likely limit future gains, what ETF would you suggest for ZWH.U's replacement in my US accounts? thanks, J

Q: I am looking to pair ETFs or stocks for growth and safety. What do you think about this idea and XMU [or ZLU] and ZUQ, for example. What portfolio percentage would you allocate to this strategy?

Q: Hello Crew
I am nearly retired and I like a total growth approach (dividends plus capital appreciation). During a down market however I don't wish to sell my capital appreciation funds for living expenses. Therefore, my question is what ETF's can I pair -dividends vs capital appreciation that that might serve that end. Examples ZLB/ZDV, XMI/VIGI/ZWE, VGG/XMU/ZWH..your suggestions are appreciated
regards gary

Q: The tax treatment of these ETFs (and typical of others) is difficult to determine. Dividends are withheld from these ETFs but are applied to the book value of the stock. We still pay for the dividend as income (with tax credits) but when the stock is sold, the capital gains are reduced by the amount added to the book value. Capital gains are taxed at 50%. Does it matter if we hold these in a RRIF or personal account? I'm retired and total dividend income is below $50k.

Q: Hi 5i,
I would appreciate your thoughts on these two CDN listed ETF's that employ two different methods for creating a US Low Volatility ETF.
ZLU uses individual stock Beta and XMU optimizes for minimum portfolio Variance.
ZLU reconstitutes/rebalances once per year and XMU does it twice per year.
ZLU trading volumes appear higher than XMU but, XMU underlying US ETF is very high and high market value.
ZLU holdings are 103 and ZMU is 215.
MER's are about the same for both at approx. 0.33
I intend to use these in my RRSP and TFSA and trade them based on monthly trends.
ZLU holds the stock directly so there may be some saving in an RRSP. XMU holds the underlying US ETF for exposure.
Which one would you buy for a RRSP/TFSA?
Can you suggest alternatives that might be better for US Low Volatility sold on a CDN exchange?

thanks

Q: I have targeted general [not sector-specific] funds/ ETFs at up to 14% of total portfolio because of fund/ ETF attributes or performance. Please advise on selection and additions/ deletions of current and Watchlist or other.
Currently the allocation is XMU 8%, Edgepoint Gbl Port - 33% [4.5% total portfolio] + CYB - 3.5%, Mawer Gbl Eq and FID Gbl Innovators and AARK all at 11%, TD US Mid-Cap Growth - 9%. My watchlist includes DGRO [value - dividend growth], MAN Gbl Small Cap [previously sold] and TD US Blue Chip.

Q: Good day team,

I’ve held the following two ETF’s for a while and have done ok but looking forward are the still worth holding?

Thx

Q: 3 ETF growth portfolio: In the April 2016 issue of MoneySense magazine, on page 14, there is an article titled, "A Growth Portfolio for the Long Term" It is made up of these ETF's. I did a backtest assuming the portfolio began on Nov. 18, 2013. The total return is 34.55%, or 11.61% per year. What is your opinion of these ETF's and this combination for a long term sleep-well-at-night portfolio? Are there other ETF's you'd suggest? (IWO perhaps?) BTW, no rush to answer this question.