Investment Q&A

Q: My son approached me on some advice on investing. He is just starting off. My inclination is to suggest to him to stick to ETFs. Ideally a mix of CDN, US, Bond and International oriented ETFs . I have my preferences, but would like to know what you would suggest? I am guessing he is looking at a year window to start.

Q: IF and that is a big IF we have all missed the bottom on American larger caps should I be now focusing on US small caps and International markets? When I look at SPY and VIG all th money has jumped into American large caps and more or less erased the huge loss and pairs back some of my gains from 2019...so huge collapse gone...for now. I've topped up some VIG but missed on SPY. When I look at US small caps they are lagging and I assume this is due to the higher risk and lower volume, Same story for Europe, International and emerging markets. So my question is should I be shifting to adding IWO, XEF, and VE. I need to add some international content to my portfolio anyways as I am a bit light at 12% international ( developed) and 10% emerging markets. If you agree or don't strongly disagree what ETFs do you recommend right now ( I already hold the one mentioned). I am leaning toward a bit of IWO and larger positions in VE and XEF.

5 year window, high but slowly lowering risk tolerance, Balanced portfolio follower ( shifting slowly to income follower), overweight canada (40%) and US(40%) ,

Q: My daughter is 27 years old and is looking to invest around $35,000 as her first investment. She is considering investing 40% in Canadian equities (ZLB, PDC, and XRE), 50% in US Equities (VUS and DXU), and 10% in International Equities (FCIQ and VEE).

As an initial investment, does this balance seem reasonable or would you have other recommendations? Is this sufficiently diversified or are there too many funds?

Thank you!

Q: Good afternoon. Buy and hold investor. Currently hold 20% XUU, 15% VIU, 5% VEE in portfolio as my non-Canadian equity holdings. What would the pros and cons be of selling them and putting it all in to XAW, and would you recommend such a move? I only re-balance once a year as it is. Thanks for your reply.

Q: On the whole what do you think of emerging markets' ETF's now? Do you think one should be buying? What are your favorites?

Thank you

Q: I presently hod these 2 ETF's and was looking for your opinion. They are approximately 1.25% each of portfolio. Being a small amount do I add or sell.

Regards,

Q: HI, I just recently made the switch from mutual funds to ETF’s and a DIY strategy and am looking to lock down 4 low cost ETF’s that I will invest in for the long term (30 + years) and leaning more toward the aggressive side for these. I am looking to take advantage of some dollar cost averaging to enter the ETF market for some broad market index ETF’s in my TFSA and was looking for you opinion of some that I am trying to choose between.
Canadian Market – I am trying to choose between XIC, VCN & ZCN. They all have significant overlap and same MER so I don’t see a whole lot of difference between the three, although I am leaning towards XIU, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
US Market – I am trying to decide between VUN & VFV. The VFV has lower MER than VUN and has outperformed VUN as of late. Smaller and mid-cap companies historically had higher volatility than the large-cap companies found in the S&P 500, and so the trade-off is potentially higher growth, for potentially more volatility if you go with a total market index like what is found in VUN. The S&P 500 has outperformed the total market index as of late so I guess the question is will this continue, I am leaning towards VFV, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
International Developed – I am trying to decide between XEF & VIU, both have similar MER, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
Emerging Markets – I am trying to decide between XEC & VEE for a small percentage of my portfolio, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
These are some ETFs’ I have come across from doing build wealth Canada course and reading other materials and listening to podcasts that seem to fit my long-term outlook. I am by no means experienced in this matter and just looking to hit the ground running so If you have better suggestions for certain markets that I may have missed feel free to outline them.

Thanks
Sean

Q: Most of my son's assets (all tfsa) are in the etfs zwb, vgg and vee. Would you suggest substituting any other etfs at this point with an eye to catching the rebound? Thank you.

Q: Last year I took a sizeable position in VEE as one of the main parts of my foreign diversification. It has, like so much else, dropped a lot. I am wondering if the prospects for recovery in the emerging markets are not as favourable as the potential in the US or Canada, where economic resources (or the ability to backstop printed money) are stronger. As such, I am inclined to sell this position (and as you point out, harvest a tax loss) and migrate to some North America holding(s). Your comments, pls. Thanks for your excellent service.

Q: Good morning,

I have the same amount of shares in VIU and VEE as a year ago, but the quarterly dividends both recently announced are both smaller than last year's. Why is this? Have many international companies maybe cut their dividends due to the virus and it's impacts? Could this be a Vanguard decision? Thanks

Q: Hi,

Could I get your opinion on 2 investment paths contemplating at moment for equity portion of portfolio?

At moment my equity exposure is passively invested in IWO, VGG, VIU, VEE. I am trying to decide if I should sell off this passive postion, in part or entirety, and invest in individual beaten up securities, for example a number from your recent reports for North American exposure.

The objective would be to have a higher return 2-3 years out from this market. Not really concerned with volatility.

Thanks

Q: Hi 5i,
I am not 100% clear on stock and ETF's allocations for investment plans. Take as many points as needed to answer the questions below. I apologize in advance for the length of the question.

As a Canadian investing through a Canadian site (RBC in this case), split into CDN and US sections (moved CDN funds to USD and paid the exchange), which stocks and ETF's should be allocated to RRSP (CDN or US sections), TFSA, & Non-Registered accounts?

As an example, an RBC RRSP account is split into CAD and USD segments. If I purchase VWO in USD on the US segment instead of VEE on the CDN segment do I retain the 15% withholding tax? If I purchase VWO in CDN funds on the CDN side of the RRSP, what happens to the 15% withholding tax?

Is there a tax difference when filing a CRA 1135 form. e.g if VWO or VEE are 100+k CDN value: VWO on the USD segment or VEE on the CDN segment or VWO on the CDN segment.

If a US stock has a dividend, should this ever be purchased on the CDN side of the RRSP or in a TFSA? .. e.g. CRM with a small dividend or AMGN with a larger dividend

Can you please assign the best allocations (RRSP, TFSA, Non-Registered) to examples a the bottom of the question.
e.g. Non-dividend Growth US stocks (Googl, AMZN): TFSA, RRSP
This tells me that AMZN is best in the TFSA for growth, and in an RRSP purchased in CDN or US funds is the same effect other than currency at the time of purchase.
If a stock or ETF should be in CDN or US sections can you note that as well? e.g. RRSP(CDN or US).
It is a lot to ask so limited examples below will hopefully reduce the effort.

5i recommendations
Non-dividend Growth US stocks (e.g. Googl, AMZN):
US small Dividend Growth (e.g. IWO):
US Foreign ETF (e.g. VWO):
CDN ETF with US stocks and other int'l stocks (e.g. VEE):
CDN High Dividend (e.g. CDN Utilities/Reits/ETF's):
US High Dividend (e.g. US Utilities/Reits/Medical/ETF's)
All World ETF (VT):
All World ETF (XAW):

I very much appreciate your service and time to answer questions.

Jerry

Q: Hi Peter and Ryan,
I am looking to take advantage from the current market dip and add the the above securities and ETF to my RRSP Portfolio. My time frame is 5 to 10 years. with adding the above I will be having all the 5i balanced portfolio stocks included. In addition I am adding some ETF and other stock that I think it can help my portfolio. Appreciate you advise of which stock look good at this time to buy (please rank). Is there any of the list I should avoid. Do you have other suggestions for good quality stocks and ETF (in the US and Canada) that have a good growth potential.
Thanks,
YR

Q: Hi, I have a bunch of cash looking to deploy in this carnage. I'm a bit underweight in international and emerging markets, however I'm a bit worried about putting new money into these markets compared to the US market when markets do bounce back. How would you recommend I deploy new $ into international, emerging markets, and US/CAD markets over the next few months?

Q: Hi 5i, Another question about your model ETF portfolio.
This one is about VE-T and VEE-T.
They trade on the Toronto exchange, Does that make them like Canadian ETFs?
I mean, are their dividends eligible for the tax credit? Or are they fully taxed, just like US
ETFs?
Many thanks. Shan

Q: We have given our 19 year-old Son $12K to maximize his TFSA. I have advised him to watch North American ETFs, now that we are at the top of the economic cycle. Can you recommend a few individual Canadian stocks with a 6+ year time horizon? Would you recommend any International, European or developing world ETFs?
Thank you!!
Grant

Q: Awhile back you suggested the following percentages for my son's investments.IIP.UN 23%,VUS 16%,VEF 16%,VEE 10%,MAW 106 20%,MAW 150 15%.Just wondering if these percentages are still valid?If so fine, if not do you have other suggestions?Thanks.Paul

Q: Currently my only international exposure is with VEE and ZWE. Can you please recommend 2 international equity ETF's that would compliment these?
Preferably one low cost index and one high yield.

Thanks

Q: Hello Team, thanks for providing a wonderful service! Would you have any recommendations for an Emerging Markets or Japan ETF?

Q: Hi gang, I own this funds. TML735 & AIM24823. Both have not done well for me . I would like to switch to another family fund or should I just cash out and buy an ETF . Your thought please. Thanks