Investment Q&A

Q: I have 3 big losers in my US account, MITT, IPCI and IVR. MITT and IVR pay good dividends and the stock price loss over the last few years has been mitigated by the great dividend. I would like to sell each of these stocks and buy a good US growth ETF. These are the only stocks I have in the US account. Can you suggest a good ETF? I am retired so any one with a dividend would be nice but not essential.
Thanks for your great service
Kevin

Q: Hi 5i, 2018 is off to a intereting start!
Thanks for your great service and guidence in these uncharterted times, it is much appreciated!
I have 100,000. to invest in my RRSP acct looking for 7 etf' or stocks, am intereted in CSU however with the high $ run do you think it is still a buy.
Thanks PS

Q: Good morning.... we are 15 years away before we may need to access our RRSP..
We sold all enegy (although would be okay with one "best of class" or ETF)..
I have a solid mix of similar weightings (BCE,BEP.UN,BNS,PBH,ATD.B,FSZ,SJ,GUD SIS). I would like fixed income/US/International exposure...I will be adding XHY..
I am looking for suggestions for either a few ETF you recommend for US/International exposure...keeping in mind we would not need to withdraw for at least 15 years..and if you think should have a minimum of 5% in energy or alternate AI ETF...

Thanks
Matt

Q: As a retired couple looking for div. Growth, not to happy with 5% weight in zgi in our rrif. Could u please give a few better options.

Q: Enjoyed your article on dividend growth stocks and wish to participate. What is your take on NOBL ETF to include in my TFSA

Q: Hi 5i team,

Enjoy reading the blog on power of dividend growth stocks. I want to invest in US, Europe and Emerging Market. Would investing in ETFs that track dividend growth stocks be better than the overall indexes?
Please provide your ETFs picks, in US$ and in C$, that invest in dividend growth stocks in US, dividend growth stocks in Europe and dividend growth stocks in Emerging Market. Would these etfs be best held in RRSP account? Thanks.

Q: I am setting up an all ETF portfolio for a 20 yr plus holding period and I have a two-part question. The first part concerns the makeup of the Canadian/US component. Is it better to go with a combination of SPY and XIC or would including CDZ and VIG provide stability and perhaps a bit more growth to the mix (keeping in mind that I intend to hold at least 5% of each but don't need income yet)?

Secondly, I am looking for higher risk assets for my TFSA. I was thinking of IWO. I know that there are specialized sectors I could include but I looking for a fairly hands-off approach. Do you think this approach would serve me well - I know that it is only one asset type - or is there a better mix out there that would still be quite manageable?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I have US$ in my RIF that I would like to invest defensively given general high valuations and the potential for a correction. Would VIG and VIGI be good choices or would you have other suggestions. Thanks for the help. Doug

Q: I am very heavy on Canadian equities within my corporate investment account. My personal accounts are all a bit heavy on Canadian equities as well. Plan to purchase ETFs to balance. Which of your current ETF portfolio names would you add right now and is there any advantage to doing so within my INC., TFSA, RSP or personal unregistered account. Would invest a 5% positon in the next few weeks. Balanced equity portfolio is the target, 10 year horizon.

Q: Hi, for my US exposure, I hold the following 3 US ETFs at the following total percentages:

VTI - 50%
VIG - 20%
IWO - 30%

I have $10K USD to add and I'm wondering whether VTI and VIG are too similar or whether I'm fine to add to all 3 and keep the same rough percentages.

Thanks
Robert

Q: I have noticed that many ETF's traded on US markets offer lower MER's than similar ones in Canada. Do you recommend owning US based ETF's in my RRSP or does it just add too much complexity for the average investor?

Q: I recently asked a question regarding VIG. 5I approved but pointed out that SPY had returned 2% better over the last five years. With VIG yielding 2% and SPY yielding 1.85% what is the case for buying VIG over SPY ?

Q: Hello 5i,
I have recently made some changes in my portfolio and have some U.S. dollars to invest and was wondering the best positioning, considering that I have a fairly balanced portfolio. I follow Barry Riholtz and have found him to be pretty good. He says basically that the US may be in for a slower growth for the next little while, while emerging markets would be best. Here is his post, if it is of interest:
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-how-to-invest-10k/
He suggests VWO. I was wondering what your thoughts on this thesis would be?
Also, another question. If you were going to invest in US etfs, the great investor Warren Buffet, says the best thing is to just buy a vanguard etf for the S&P and forget about it.
I notice, however, that you often suggest other options like VIG, which I believe is a dividend appreciation etf for the American market. Do you think it is worth the extra trouble to diversify from Buffet’s original suggestion?
Thanks again

Q: I need some International ( outside Canada) exposure. Please suggest one or 2 dividend paying ETF's. US exposure ok, but mostly outside North America.
Thanks Team

Q: Hello

I m looking for a etf or mutual fund of quality blue chip who can growth in bull market and minimize the the risk during a bear market for a long run minimum of 5 years.

Which product between VIG, ZGQ, MAwer global equity, edgepoint global, black creek global,do you suggest me?
If you have other suggestions let me know.

Thank you for your help

Have a nice week end

Q: 5i

I have held JNJ for a few years and it has grown to be 10% of my portfolio. Using your sage advice I need to reduce the shares in JNJ. I am retired, have JNJ in my RRIF and depend on dividends to enhance my retirement pension. Would like a suggestion as to any USA stocks you would recommend that is as safe as JNJ and pay a dividend of 3% or more with some growth I know you do not cover USA stocks but thought you might have a suggestion. If not is there an ETF with USA exposure that may accomplish these goals. I am currently 74% Canadian and 26% USA invested.Look forward to your thoughts and recommendations

Regards

w

Q: Hi Peter: I currently hold ZWH in my rrsp and as it is the only U.S. exposure that I have, am wondering what you else you would suggest as a compliment to it. ZWH currently is 6 % of my overall portfolio. I am looking for something of a moderate risk to hold for 3-5 years or longer.

Thanks, David

Q: Good morning, If I sell ZWH, VGG and VIG in taxable accounts and replace with ZWA and VGH (both hedged and in Cdn dollars), will this trigger the disallowed tax loss? i.e. are they too similar to replace within 30 days? If so what would be a better solution? What would be your suggestion for US representation at this time?
Thanks for your never ending help.
Ted

Q: what is your favourite ETF or growth stock that is outside Canada. Is it a good time to buy it now?

Q: Hello 5i,
I am looking to increase my U.S. and International exposure. I currently hold VIG-N, JNJ-N and a number of Canadian ETF's which also hold U.S. equities. I am open to either USD or hedged products and would like a yield in excess of 2.25% if practical. Since I look to yield for income I was considering ZWA. Would you have any other options you would prefer over ZWA?
On the Int'l. side I hold CYH and ZDI and am happy with both; I held VEE at one time, but the yield is on the lower side for my needs. Should I just increase my holdings in these two or, again, do you see a better option? I could move out of one or both of those if you think there is a more compelling option I'm missing.
As always .... thanks so much for all of your help - very much appreciated!!!
Have a great summer!!
Cheers,
Mike