Investment Q&A

Q: Hello. What are your best recommendations for ETFs that focus on dividend growth companies?

Q: I have a grandson who has just graduated from university in the United States. He is serious about investing and wants to know whether the best way to get started for long-term wealth accumulation is starting a high-yield savings account or an IRA?
Or, is there something else you would suggest.

Q: Searching for a stable high dividend US ETF for my RRSP. Looking at VYM and SCHD or perhaps you can recommend a different high dividend ETF? VYM has 450 holdings and SCHD 104; VYM appears to have a bit lower P/B and P/E. 10 year return for SCHD is 11.03% and 9.38% for VYM; SCHD also has a higher yield. Thanks for your comments!

Q: We have a self-directed RDSP set up for my son (age 21, qualified for the RDSP 12 years ago). Up until now we've invested his funds in 5 different equities (4 CDN dividend paying - ARE, AQN, SU, TCL.A and 1 US - DXCM) and the overall performance has unfortunately been abysmal (I'm just getting the opportunity to be more actively involved in managing my son's RDSP). Because my son has a relatively long investment horizon for his RDSP (to age 49), what are your recommendations to optimize this much-needed benefit for his later years? Are ETFs a preferred option over equities?

Q: With say $1M in a self-directed portion of a RRSP converted to a RRIF in one year (2025), and two-thirds in CDN$ and one-third in US$ would you see any issues with the CDN$ split between HBAL and VBAL and the US$ into VIG? Your thoughts and alternate suggestions please.

Happy Holidays to all at 5i.

Q: Is there an ETF for the USA that is similar to XEI? Listed on a US exchange or TSX.
Thanks!

Q: What can you tell me please about Global Dividend Growth Split? Is it worth my attention? Can you please recommend better alternatives that are somewhat similar please? Thanks.

Q: Good Morning,

Our RESP for my 13-year-old daughter is currently valued at about $42k. It is comprised of 25% Google, 25% AMD, 25% DSG, 13% Apple, and 12% VMD. Wondering if you could please give me a few ideas for another stock or ETF (Canadian or American) that I might add to this mix, as I will be contributing another $6K soon. Thanks. Brad

Q: Hi,

I hold VIG and have decided I'd like to instead concentrate my holdings on two stocks: UNH and V. Are there any obvious red flags with these two companies. I know there is no comparison between and ETF and individual stocks. Sector is not a concern.

Thank you. Michael

Q: My son is starting an FHSA account at Wealthsimple. With the goal of contributing monthly and maximizing the limit over 5 to 7 years before needing funds. What combination of ETF's and blue chip stocks would you recommend that combines steady/increasing dividends, capital appreciation and minimal downside risk. Looking for a manageable # and combination of stock/Etf

Thank you

Q: Hi team,

I currently have IWO as a core holding. I would like to change to a more concentrated ETF holding either in small or mid cap US. With so many different factors to choose from such as large/medium/small cap, dividend/value/growth/blend, current valuations, etc... and looking at past returns over various time periods, how does one choose the best ETF to invest in going forward now? I would consider all these ETF's to be high quality and obviously no one knows what the range of future returns will be. With small/mid cap underperforming lately vs large cap, would you place your bets on that spread closing over time? I'm comfortable with volatility and have a long term time horizon (+15yrs). How would you rank these going forward for best risk adjusted returns?

Thank you!

Q: Emerging markets are getting some attention lately for reasonable valuations.
India is being mentioned as a strong growth country. Many experts suggest US large corps as a better way to invest rather than the corps of the emerging markets .
What are your thoughts and ideas for investment to take advantage of emerging markets as far as actual emerging market etf or etf of large cap US based major exporters/worldwide etf. ?

Q: Retiree looking for suggestions to putt some money into a TFSA. Long term investment with a good dividend and reasonable capital appreciation. Please advise.

Q: I am looking at investing 2023 contributions (2 x $6500) in stocks and/or ETFs. Please provide 5 stocks and 5 ETFs for long term hold. Rank the stocks and ETFs and comment on why they are being recommended,

Current stock holdings include: BYND, BAM, BN, REGN, TSLA

Current ETFs: QQQ, VGRO, ZEM, SKYY, IHI, XIT and SPY

Thank you

Q: We have held VIG in our RRSP/RRIF accounts for about five years and are happy with the performance. It is now around 7% weighting (I know you are ok with larger ETF weightings vs individual stocks) but I'm thinking of reducing it by about 25% to bolster our underweight fixed income holdings and also to hedge against possible market downturn. My only other fixed income holdings are TLT and a couple of short term GICs. Does this switch make sense and if so what short term bond fund would you recommend if I were to make this move? Thanks for the continuing great service.

Q: Hello Folks:
As many others I have been hanging onto our Tech stocks (Goog, Amazon and Apple) hopping improvement is in sight.

Currently in consumer stocks we own Costco and Johnson and Johnson and media advises are diversifying more into this segment (eg. Mendalez, P&G etc.) useful strategy.

Do you think thinning down Tech is good advice? Perhaps utilities such as Enbridge could also be good defensive play. We are seniors valuing dividends with which Tech world is parsimonious. Apple appears the best bet in Tech as they actually produce and sell real products. Everything changes, however we value your thoughts and suggestions of including specific equity options (including an ETF). Currently I do not own any ETF's as I have preferred individual companies.
Thank you very much
brian

Q: What are the best dividend ETFs for a retired Canadian for long term hold? Is it advisable to hold more than 1? If so, how many would be optimal?

Q: I'm looking for a "dividend aristocrats" type of ETF in the US market. Any suggestions?

Q: I hold VIG and VTI in my RRSP account.

How much overlap is there with these? I'm trying to trim down the number of holdings I have and was thinking I could choose one of these.

If you were to go to one, which one would it be?

Thanks
Robert

Q: Please rank for safety and for growth potential.

What would be your pick in order of first to worst at this point in time and the
reasoning for your choice.