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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: Thank you for your great service. I have read The Wealthy Barber and was wondering what your thoughts are on the 10% rule (i.e. investing 10% of your income) and if, as a 35 year old, dollar cost averaging into a mutual fund/etf is one of the best ways to save for my retirement? Could you recommend an etf that would be suitable for this investment strategy? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on April 22, 2025
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 am holding a substantial amount of US funds. With people getting out of US stock market and the downward trend of the American dollar, I would like to know your recommendations. Should I buy Canadian stocks, Canadian Cash ETFs or leave the funds in the US until the tariffs are settled?
Read Answer Asked by Margie on April 14, 2025
Q: Hi, I am supporting my 32 year old son in investing a very modest RRSP - $12K total. Given his age, can you recommend a solid set of ETFs or Stocks to get him started?

Thx

Kathryn
Read Answer Asked by Kathryn on April 14, 2025
Q: Hi. I recently transferred $20,000 into my RRSP Direct Investing account. I would like to invest the money into some quality ETFs, perhaps three or four. I know you are not clairvoyants, however based on geo-politics and recent tariff threats, which ETFs (either Canadian, American or other parts of the world) would you invest in at this particular time. It would be for a 2/3 year hold. Thanks for the advice in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Mike on March 25, 2025
Q: A friend is several years from retirement and is in this (quite good) finanical situation: a teacher who will get an Ontario Teachers' indexed DB pension, CPP and OAS. Owns a modest home in Toronto with no mortgage. No dependents. No debt. Can supplement income after retirement by continuing to teach at about a 20% course load. These income sources would more than cover her living expenses.
She also has an RSP that is currently managed by a financial advisor and holds mutual funds. Friend is asking if she should leave the advisor due to fees and his very conservative management. The RSP has underperformed the markets for an extended period. He sold her holdings at COVID bottom "to avoid further losses" and has said that "at her age" (about 60) she should stay away from equities and hold money market funds or bonds. Since my friend is not financially sophisticated, but is interested in learning, I am thinking a self-directed RSP holding several ETFs might be an alternative for her. Could you suggest three to five ETFs that would provide more growth potential in the 8 to 10 years before mandatory RIF conversion.
Read Answer Asked by David on March 19, 2025
Q: Could you please tell me your top suggestions for low cost diversified index funds in non US markets?
Read Answer Asked by Judith on March 17, 2025
Q: Can you please share your favourite ETF for Dow Jones, S&P500 and TSX

Please share in CDN dollars hedge and unhedged. Plus in USA dollars

Thanks for the great service.
Read Answer Asked by Hector on February 25, 2025
Q: I have CAD to invest in Canadian-dollar denominated ETFs: (1) Canadian stocks - VGG. XIU XIC XDIV; (2) US ETFs in CAD FX - HXS ZUQ ZMID and ZBK and (3) - EU ETF - HXX. How to go about assessing one against the other. Is there a better ETF in each group you would prefer? Would appreciate guidance on which ones are keepers for long-term hold? How would you evaluate them?
Read Answer Asked by sam on February 14, 2025
Q: Part of our total portfolio is invested in ETFs [non-registered accounts] and one-third is in Canadian-based and Canadian-dollar denominated US ETFs. Another third is in US ETFs - spread among Large Cap Value, Blend and Growth, and SMID. The final third is in Special US ETF - IAI ZBK AIRR PAVE SHLD PPA SMH UTES AND HXX. Your advice is requested as to which ones to over-weight, underweight or sell. Please rank each category, if you would. My lean is less tech/ M7 as already own most.
Read Answer Asked by sam on February 10, 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 hold many of the mag 7 and a few other upcoming AI names in my TFSA and feel i am quite exposed in that area. What ETFs would you recommend for diversifying my portfolio to avoid doubling up? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mark on January 21, 2025
Q: Hello 5i team, I am a young professional early in my career. I am looking for your top 5 stocks for 20+ year hold. No preference on risk or industry.

thank you
Read Answer Asked by Liam on November 01, 2024
Q: Hello,

New to investing and I have about 20K to invest to start...wondering how you would recommend to best distribute that? Looking for long term investments. Ok with some risk.
Read Answer Asked by Scott on October 31, 2024
Q: Everyone, I would like to buy one Canadian ETF and one US ETF for a long term hold, risk medium. TPU and TTP look interesting but this is an area I have very little knowledge on. Clayton
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on October 30, 2024
Q: Finally investing into an RESP.
These are some of my choices I have come up with.
Decent plan?
Read Answer Asked by Ron on October 30, 2024
Q: Hello Peter and Team. I am about to open a new TFSA account with almost 100K. Time frame of 5-8 years. Could you please recommend 4-6 growth/income stocks with 1or 2 ETF’s?

I was thinking BN, VFV, EIT.UN, TVK. Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks for the amazing service. Brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on October 18, 2024