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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: Words you hear often -"You can't beat the Index" . If one was to follow this theory - what would you invest in?
Read Answer Asked by Barbara on January 25, 2021
Q: I am trying to increase my international / US stocks allocation with 1 of a few ETFs. I don't need income but some yield would be nice.
How do you feel about emerging markets for the next few years?
Can you please provide suggestions. Would you recommend a large position say around 15% to be meaningful in the portfolio. Long term buy and hold. Thank you for your help.


Read Answer Asked by Pierre on January 15, 2021
Q: Hi, 5i team
What are your opinions about emerging market and Europe? Are they attractive based on current value? Could you recommend some ETFs both in Canadian & US dollars?
Do you recommend to buy now to hold about 1 or 2 years?

Thanks a lot!
Read Answer Asked by Jane on January 14, 2021
Q: Helping my son with his investments which are as follows: MAW 106 24%,MAW 106 20%. VUS 21%, VEF 18%, VEE 8%, ZJG 6% and XQQ 3%.Feeling there is a bit of an overlap with some of these investments eg XQQ and VUS also with MAW 150 and VEF to a degree. Any advice is welcome ,stay as is , reduce holdings or increase some..He prefers ETF's and Mutual Funds (Mawer) and is a bit risk adverse but does realize markets go up and down though and is young( mid 30's ) enough to handle declines. ! Thanks.Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 11, 2021
Q: Hi, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on January 11, 2021
Q: I'm currently trying to diversify my RIF account for 2021. I've trimmed some over weight holdings to free up some cash. I have NA covered with stocks in Canada and a couple of ETF's for the US but, nothing for the rest of world.
How would you currently rate the above now, hopefully for the coming recovery post COVID. I note, South America is not represented. do I need to consider it separately?
I'm inclined to go with 2 positions @ about 6% ......your opinion please!
All the best to you and everyone at 5i for the new year!
Read Answer Asked by Henry on January 04, 2021
Q: Hi, You already mentionned here that ZEM was more "tax efficient" than VEE, since "there is no US withholding tax" with ZEM. From what I can observe,VEE is only including emerging market stocks (and no ETFs or US stock), could you explain to me why VEE would be less "tax efficient" than ZEM ? Regards,JY
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Yves on December 28, 2020
Q: Hi 5i! I have the above noted 5 ETFs in various dollar amounts in 5 different accounts. Average weight in each is less than 3%. The results have been varied with IYJ and VXUS beiong the strongest recently. I am thinking of consolidating 5 into 2 holdings, probably IYG and VXUS which would give me apporoximately 5% in each ETF. These 2 would complement each other since one is all US and the other non-US. Your thoughts please.

Read Answer Asked by Michael on December 21, 2020
Q: ETFs
Can you suggest your top 1-2-3 ETFs traded on the TSX for Canadian, USA and International markets that should perform well (after fees) over the next 1-2 years and have good trade volumes? Also, would this be a good time to purchase hedge or unhedged ETFs?
Read Answer Asked by David on December 10, 2020
Q: In f/u to my earlier world ETF question, I should have stated I'm looking for CAD $ ETF's
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Henry on November 25, 2020
Q: If one is only invested in North America, would now be a good time to buy VEE, or if you have a better idea for emerging markets? Also, if one has built a conservative portfolio for elderly parents using only VBAL and VCNS, would adding VEE be a good compliment, or would it add significant risk ?
Read Answer Asked by Charles on November 23, 2020
Q: I am considering investing in South east Asia stocks - China, India and other Asian countries.
Do you have any recommendations?
Read Answer Asked by Lorraine on November 04, 2020
Q: Need more foreign exposure ex-Canada and ex-USA. I already own VEE and ZDI, should I just add to these or does 5i have additional suggestions? Looking to cover all bases here. Thanks Ron
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on November 03, 2020
Q: After scanning 5I questions for the best fit for my daughters LIRA which she will not need for 20 years and will not be contributing to it, we settled on VFV,VEE,and VUN. That leaves room for a tech ETF for the remaining. Considering:
XIT.TO but the MER is high at 0.61% vs. TEC.TO which is a TD ETF
product with an MER 0.35%. Are there any others to consider or which
would you choose and why?
Read Answer Asked by Don on October 30, 2020