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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: I submitted this question on Sunday, so now re-submitting...

Asking this question for a friend who is relatively new to investing (and may be a future 5i client:-)

She has $200k in a non-registered account and is contemplating a balance of 75% US ETFs and 25% US equities, any sector. The account is growth-focused, moderate to medium risk; no funds will be withdrawn for 3-5 years. Given these parameters, please suggest 4 ETFs and 4 stocks she should consider. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 16, 2025
Q: I currently own a full weigh of the above listed ETFs and in light of President Trump's economic policies that are likely to benefit the financial sector, I'm looking at possibly adding XLF: US ETF to my US$ Non Registered account.


Q1. What would be your best idea for US$ ETF to add to a US$ Non Registered account at this time along with your rational for this choice?

Q2.What are your thoughts on XLF:US in terms of potential return for 2025 and the remainder of the Trump presidency?

Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on January 13, 2025
Q: Hi

My partner has funds to invest in a TFSA for a 3–5+-year hold starting now. Can you please suggest several diversified ETFs that would be worth considering both USD and CAD hedged that are likely to see growth, including any mid-cap ETFs to consider. Please also suggest any bond ETFs to consider providing balance.

Thank you for the great service!
Read Answer Asked by Mark on January 09, 2025
Q: My wife has some money should would like to invest in eft. Which ones would you recommend.
Read Answer Asked by Mike on January 03, 2025
Q: Happy new year 5I! (this question is not urgent),

Given how far the Canadian dollar has fallen, in an RRSP is there any merit to switching a VIG to VGH if one thinks the CAD will bottom soon and then slowly work its way up by 9-10% in value over the coming years?

Thank you for all your insight in 2024!
Read Answer Asked by Kat on January 01, 2025
Q: I plan to own above 4 ETF is there an overlap on these ETF. If there is an overlap which one would you recommend as a buy for long term hold.

Thanks for the great service
Read Answer Asked by Hector on December 31, 2024
Q: Recently you answered my question regarding US dividend WHT on Canadian domiciled ETF issues (Vanguard Canada, RBC Ishares etc) and noted that withholding taxes are owing on distributions since the Canadian ETF is simply holding the US ETF and the taxes would be levied when distributions are paid by the US ETF to the Canadian ETF.

Some follow up questions:
- I am assuming that the WHT would apply even if the Canadian ETF is held within a registered account?
- Does the WHT explain part of the difference in yield when comparing the US ETF and the Canadian ETF? For example - VIG yields 1.69% while VGG yields 1.17%. Assuming also that the higher MER on VGG also explains part of the yield difference??
- Given these factors - the WHT and higher MER - why would anyone choose the Canadian version of the same ETF. Further to this - In another question posed by Jacques - you point out that the Canadian ETF ZSP would be preferable to VFV since it holds the stocks directly and not thru the US ETF VOO....thereby avoiding WHT's for registered accounts. However - when you look at VOO - the yield is about 26 bp's higher than either VFV and ZSP....again why would you not just buy VOO.

Many thanks
Read Answer Asked by Gary on December 20, 2024
Q: Are there US withholding taxes associated with the ETF's that are offered by Vanguard Canada (or any other Canadian ETF issuer) that pay a USD distribution??
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Gary on December 16, 2024
Q: Please provide a suggestion for an US ETF that invests in basket of US dividend paying stocks such as PM, BAC, HD, MCD, BLK. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Ronnie on December 10, 2024
Q: Hi team, I would like to generate some income in US dollars.

Could you please recommend 2 or 3 dividend paying US stocks, together with a brief explanation as to why you like those companies. I would also be OK with an ETF if you think that is a better way to go.

Thanks as always,
Paula
Read Answer Asked by Paula on December 10, 2024
Q: Could you please provide a list of top US ETF’s that can be bought (low cost with great management)
a) using a US dollar acct
b) using a CDN dollar acct
3-5 for each.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Darryl on November 26, 2024
Q: My son moved to the USA a few years ago and has opened a Roth IRA upon which I am advising him. He holds the ETFs listed above. I have two questions upon which I would appreciate your advice. In which order of preference would you add to the existing holdings? And can you suggest two additional ETFs to complement the current holdings?



Read Answer Asked by Peter on November 07, 2024
Q: I am still toying with RRSP strategies - I have about 50% of my RRSP in US funds and 50% in Canadian funds. I plan on starting to draw my RRSP down in January and need about an 8% annual return, including dividends and growth for the next 10 years. I have slowly been rolling my Canadian side toward your income portfolio, and am about half-way there. On the US side, I hold the above positions. What are your thoughts on the following - mirroring your income portfolio with the Canadian side, and on the US side hold a combination of ETF's/Equities, or just ETF's. I have been actively growing my RRSP (with success thanks!) But hope to be able to spend less time on it once I retire. The above idea means, for the Cdn side, I can continue to follow your moves on the income portfolio. For the US side, I will continue to monitor/rebalance, but I don’t want it to be a daily task - please suggest a tactic, including whether to mix equities/ETF's, or just go to one or a few ETF's, and please suggest holdings in either tactic. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Kim on November 07, 2024
Q: Up to this point I have been a growth investor. Recently retired, I am converting some RRSP into a RIF and want to lower the risk profile. I am 60 y/o.

Kindly advise some ETFs that you would recommend in Canada or US.

Thanks a lot,
Read Answer Asked by Marcela on October 08, 2024
Q: Could you please suggest 2 or 3 dividend ETFs that I could look at to increase the amount of dividends in my account.

Thank you
Paula
Read Answer Asked by Paula on August 29, 2024