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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: Good morning,

I'm looking at buying an ETF that tracks the S&P 500 for my TFSA account and am considering VFV.CA.

Withholding tax is a concern and given that VFV.CA holds US stocks, would there be a withholding tax on any of the dividends distributed and if so would you kindly recommend a few other similar ETFs that track the S&P 500 where the withholding tax is not a concern. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on August 16, 2023
Q: Saw this on Business Insider. Would you be able to tell me the names of the Index Funds & the one that was up 500%?

A 27-year-old investor who's building a retirement portfolio of $2 million in 8 years shares the 3 index funds he's betting on, including one with an over 500% return in the last 10 years.

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Ross on August 08, 2023
Q: Earlier today you mentioned tech as a pretty good etf for holding mainly fang stocks. It got me thinking about my own situation. I own both voo and rsp partly to balance out my technology holdings. I am wondering whether I might be better with something like tech and rsp and selling voo? I like the idea of being a bit overweight in technology stocks and this might be a good way to achieve this. What are your thoughts on this ? Also, i note tech is a Canadian etf. What would be a good US denominated possibility?
Thanks for your expertise
Read Answer Asked by joseph on December 05, 2022
Q: I have a small RRSP account that is half in TXF.TO and half in US cash. I will not need access to this account for at least ten years. Overall, my portfolio is very diversified. But I am trying to decide what to do with this account. I was thinking 1) about putting the US cash into VOO 2) and/or selling TXF.TO and only holding VOO. My other thought was 3) putting the US cash into a US REIT or 4) a US ETF paying a good distribution. Would you have any thoughts? And if you think a US REIT or US ETF would be a good idea, could you provide a few suggestions? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on November 24, 2022
Q: 5-I,

What is your opinion on ETF that are not cap weighted? I am looking for one that covers the S & P but may have reduced volatility if for example the FANG stocks were not such large component? Are there any other ones that would cover outside North America as well?

As a side comment I hope the membership really appreciates how valuable it is to have a service such as 5-I in times like these. The answers are thorough , very specific and absent of spin, from a highly educated and experienced source.

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on July 11, 2022
Q: I am currently managing my TFSA/RRSP funds and some money outside of registered accounts, which are largely individual stocks. With the market volatility, potential recession and war in Ukraine, I am finding it more difficult to keep on top of the individual stocks and am therefore considering going to ETF's. I am a year away from retirement but would be ok with more risk in the TFSA/RRSP's.
Could you please suggest 5 ETF's for the registered accounts and 5 ETF's for the non-registered accounts.
Thank you,
Jacquie
Read Answer Asked by Jacquie on June 02, 2022
Q: Hello Peter and team,
Would you prefer VOO or VTI at this time? Also, is there an etf in canadian dollars (tsx) that mimics VTI similar to xsp on tsx and SPY? Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by umedali on March 09, 2022
Q: Hi,

I'm looking for an average beta US ETF with some growth, to hold forever.
VOO has a beta 1. Over five years its done 17.86 % annually
IUSG has a beta 1.1 Over five years, its returned 23.4% annually
VGT .has a beta of .9 over five years, 31.46% annually.
So both IUSG and VGT have lower beta and higher returns than VOO?? And both VGT and IUSG have done much better in the recent tech selloff? Seems hard to believe? While past performance is no guarantee, the numbers suggest I should choose VGT. What do you think?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on January 14, 2022
Q: Thanks to rising oil prices, I have cashed out of an oil stock at the original price paid 5 years ago. I feel lucky to have done so as this is a sector I wish to avoid. This makes my TFSA ( small part of total portfolios and is my fun money ) 50 % cash.
Knowing that momentum is important to you, what are your thoughts on the momentum of the S&P 500 ? The growthy small caps seem to be out of favour at the moment. Do I wait until market sentiment has changed back or look at other larger growth stocks ? Your 3 suggestions for a risk oriented TFSA is appreciated. Derek
Read Answer Asked by Derek on October 06, 2021
Q: Is there any difference in performance between between a US listed ETF and the equivalent Canadian TSX listed ETF? Is it best to keep it in Canadian currency?
For example: VOO// VFV/ VSP or QQQ// QQC.F/ QQC
Also what would you recommend for hedged vs non-hedged and also market weight vs equal weight?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ben on October 01, 2021
Q: Can you recommend your top-5 ETFs ? I am looking for medium-to-high risk/growth positions.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Susan on September 28, 2021