Investment Q&A

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.

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.

Q: Could you please tell me your top suggestions for low cost diversified index funds in non US markets?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

Q: I am trying to understand how an ETF like XIU works. Does a shareholder actually own any stocks when they own this etf, or do they just own shares in a fund that tracks the TSX 60, but doesn't actually own the individual companies?

Q: For TSX exposure do you prefer XIC or XIU (or something else?) and why? Thanks.

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

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.

Q: When analyzing Total return performance of XIU over the long term. What % is due to price appreciation and what % is due to dividends?

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

Q: Finally investing into an RESP.
These are some of my choices I have come up with.
Decent plan?

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

Q: Hi 5i
I'd like to add to a small TFSA investment, which today is 100% in VGRO.ca.
I will add funds so that 25% will be in VGRO.ca and the other 75% would be spilt between 2 to 3 of these: ZMMK, VFV, ZSP, ZDI, XIU. Timeline is 2 to 3 years and thinking to be more conservative because already have VGRO for growth.
What would be your ranking highest to lowest. Are there other ETF's that I should consider?
Thanks!

Q: which index fund do you feel has the better chance to outperform over the next 1, 3, 5 years? Normally i would side with SPY but considering current valuations i'm wondering if XIU might be the better medium term performer

Q: Tough question for you guys. Can you give some stocks on either Canadian and/or US exchanges that are reasonable TotalReturn proxies for XIU over a 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years or more time horizon.

Q: Hi,

What do you recommend between XIC and XIU for a typical investor?

Thanks,
Robert