Investment Q&A

Q: I read your recent comments on small caps. What are your favorite US small cap ETFs and your favorite Canadian small cap ETFs.
Thanks,
Mark

Q: Interesting comments in your latest Market Update about small caps. In addition to any potential upside in 2025, we are close to the possible annual January “bounce”. If you had to pick 5 (ranked) Canadian small caps to take advantage, which 5 equities would you lean towards? Also, is there an ideal ETF that would cover all the small cap basics? (2 questions)
On another note, long time member here who is extremely grateful for the outstanding service you provide. I’ve listened attentively, learned a lot, and have been blessed with some lucrative decisions, always guided by your sage wisdom. For that I offer a heartfelt thank you, and wish all at 5i a wonderful Christmas and another prosperous 2025!
Chris

Q: Seeing that the outlook for small caps is more positive what would be your choice for Canadian and US ETFs in this area? Thank you.

Q: I’m hopeful that 5i can help with sector rebalancing in our combined accounts. Portfolio Analytics currently indicates that Technology is now 20.85% of our portfolio, but recommends a target of 16%.

Of course, this is due to 5i’s recommendation of CSU, which in turn led to positions in LMN and TOI. We’re certainly grateful for this!

In addition to the three stocks cited above, we also have positions in these ETFs, followed by the percentage weighting in the Technology sector:
XCS - 4.68%
VEF - 10.37%
VFV - 33.77%

Is this overweight position in Technology something we should be concerned about? If this was your portfolio, what would you do? We are seniors (76 and 81), and both of us have defined benefit pension plans.

Thanks as always for your insight.

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! :)

Q: I would like to buy a US small-cap ETF
Can you suggest the best two at this time with ranking and suggest an entry price if possible
Would you advise to also purchase XCS the Canadian small cap ETF
Thanks

Q: Please recommend ETFs to follow the Small Cap Index that you have the most confidence in; one in Canada and one in the USA.

Q: What is your favourite predominantly Canadian small cap ETF ? And American ?
Which of the two do you prefer for a 3-5 year hold?
Thank you,
Philip

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

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!

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

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

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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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

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

Q: Thoughts on XCS at current valuations and where we are at in the current economic cycle?

Q: Could I get a list of the best Small Cap ETF's to buy for Canada, USA & International?

Thank you.

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.

Q: What would be your top 4 CAD ETF picks for longer term growth?

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?