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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: Hi there! Long time subscriber here, and love your platform!

I'm currently developing a plan to align with my goal of purchasing my first home in about eight years, alongside a long-term investment strategy. I’m seeking your insight on how a person in this situation could responsibly proceed (I understand that nothing here is considered actionable financial advice).

I'm currently contributing $400 biweekly to my FHSA, aiming to reach the $16,000 contribution limit this year. I also have approximately $5,000 in my TFSA, with all funds currently held in cash in both accounts.

For the FHSA, I’m considering investing in a high-growth American ETF, such as VFV, IUSG, or IWO, to balance growth and risk over the eight-year horizon. However, I would only like to invest in CAD (I'm not sure which ones only allow USD). Could you provide guidance on which ETF might be the most suitable for this approach, and why? If you have other recommendations, I would appreciate your insights.

For my TFSA, I'm interested in an aggressive investment strategy, potentially utilizing one of your growth or balanced portfolios. Given my exposure to cryptocurrency, I aim to diversify into equities for greater stability while still pursuing substantial growth over the next 45 years. I'm comfortable with higher volatility during this period. With $5,000 currently in my TFSA, would you recommend specific securities or a strategy that balances high growth with diversification?

While I’d prefer to follow your portfolio exactly, my current funds are only 5% of the $100,000 needed to follow it exactly. As an alternative, I'm considering selecting stocks from your portfolio and eventually investing evenly across the entire growth portfolio when my TFSA grows to an appropriate amount. Given my current $5,000 and my $100 bi-weekly contributions, which companies would you recommend selecting from within those two portfolios? Should I allocate $1,000 each to five different stocks or focus on three stocks with an initial $1,600 investment in each (the more I diversify on such a small number the less the potential return)? Your advice on which equities to select for both approaches and your opinion on the most responsible approach would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance! :)
Read Answer Asked by Bill on September 04, 2024
Q: Speaking as specialists in Canadian small cap equity, what are your favourite Canadian and U.S. small and micro-cap equity mutual funds and ETFs?
Best regards,
David
Read Answer Asked by David on July 30, 2024
Q: Hi there,

Can you comment on the strength of small and mid caps going forward and give me 1 US and 1 Cdn etf to look at?

Ok thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Robert on July 26, 2024
Q: Hi team,

Could you suggest a growth portfolio of EFTs for a TFSA, with an indication as to the degree of risk for each ?

Is it a good idea to have a TFSA all in ETFs ? Or what kind of mix (ETFs and stocks) would you suggest ?

Gratefully,

Jacques IDS
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on July 25, 2024
Q: I currently hold CALF and want to buy similar ETF in CDN dollars. Is there any ETF in CDN. If none which one would you recommend.

I am also interested in buying MID CAP ETF. Please give us your recommendations in US and CDN market ETF.

Thanks for the great advice
Read Answer Asked by Hector on July 24, 2024
Q: Hi,

Your faith in resurgence of Small caps seem to be paying off! IWM is on a tear, eh?! However an article in Barron's seem to suggest that it is bit early to dive into Small caps!

Having said that, can you suggest some LOW COST Small cap ETFs both in the US and the rest of the world. If you want to give some for growth and some for value, it will be appreciated.

Many thanks.

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Read Answer Asked by Savalai on July 19, 2024
Q: Hi, US Small caps are finally showing some love, with IWM - Russell 2000, up more than 10%, in past 4 days, after trading sideways for over 2 years. Experts seem to be watching this move with great interest, due its significance, pointing to expanding breadth of the market beyond a handful of Technology mega cap stocks.

My question is about the Small cap sector in TSX, which still seems to be lagging its US peers, except some strength in the materials. Is this normal, historically? What could be the reasons for this divergence and do you see this gap narrowing, in the near term ?

Your perspective would be really helpful as many of us follow your advice and Model Portfolios. Small Caps are your expertise, without doubt and you ( Peter, Ryan and Team ) are regarded as one of the Best Portfolio Managers in US and Canadian stocks.

Thank You
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on July 18, 2024
Q: I will be providing some funds for my grandson to invest in the market. My grandson is 15 years old and is interested in investing some funds for his retirement years (40+ year time frame). He has indicated that he has a moderate to aggressive investment risk level. Please provide your top 5 large cap ETFs and top 5 small cap ETFs with a comment on each ETF. Please provide your top 5 large cap companies and top 5 small cap companies with a comment on each company. Please include general comments on the anticipated returns for the ETFs and companies. Thank you. We
Read Answer Asked by Don on July 04, 2024
Q: Could I get a list of the best Small Cap ETF's to buy for Canada, USA & International?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Ross on May 21, 2024
Q: I am interested in buying some mid- to small-cap stocks. I am tracking some of the ones you mentioned and am considering them.

For non-experts though, it seems like it would be better to go the ETF route on such companies. Do you agree and can you recommend a couple of options in CAD and USD.
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on March 06, 2024
Q: I am looking to add exposure to the US market in my TFSA. I currently own ZSP and ZNQ and would like to add an ETF listed on the Cdn exchange that would balance my exposure to the Mag 7. I have seen you recommend EQL which I am considering however is there another ETF that would broaden my exposure beyond the S&P 500. Perhaps to include some mid and small cap stocks?
Also would you expect that mid and small caps will outperform given where we are in the market cycle?
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on January 16, 2024
Q: Happy New Year everyone!

Can you please update us on your outlook for US Small Caps in 2024? Is it better to invest in US or Canada? A few selected stocks or ETF? If ETF what’s best for top return?

Sorry for all the questions please take as many credits as necessary.

Thanks happy investing!
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 01, 2024
Q: Hi 5i Team,

I keep hearing that purchasing bonds is currently a generational opportunity given how elevated interest rates currently are and we are likely at the peak point of the rate cycle. How would you recommend approaching having exposure to bonds in order to capitalize on the opportunity?

Are there any other sectors or areas of opportunity that are out there that you think one should get exposure to in preparation of interest rates eventually coming down?

Thanks as always,
Jon
Read Answer Asked by Jonathan on December 01, 2023