Investment Q&A

Q: Can you you rate from best to worst spy.us, vti.us, spgp.us, vus.ca and recommend a good entry price.
And is there a non hedge version of vus.ca.

Thanks

Q: I was surprised you suggested a maximum SPY weighting of 10% in response to Jim’s question on April 10.

Warren buffet recommends the SP 500 index as a one stop shop for instant diversification and long term inversting, notwithstanding its geographical concentration risk.

Can you please expand on the suggested 10% maximum weighting?

Thank you

Q: Hi guys,

I have BRK.B, SPY & I2I as my only etfs in my U.S. portfolio, all around 2%. I know you can't provide personal advice, however, inside a normal balance portfolio what would be the range for each (bottom 2% to high10%)?
Thanks,

Jim

Q: Warren Buffett says " buy index funds" preferably Vanguard.

What would you buy in Canada & the USA?

Thank you.

Q: Is there any ETF without covered call you would recommend that holds similar stocks as SMAX. Either in USA or CDN dollars. I prefer CDN dollars.

Thanks for the great service

Q: Hi, I'm thinking of gradually reducing my individual stocks and moving into etfs for an all around set it and forget it roughly $3 million portfolio for someone retiring in the next few months. Can you give me your suggested etfs and percentages to hold to accomplish this balance? A chunk of these funds are not invested yet so I'd also like to know how you would suggest deploying these funds? Would you edge in gradually over a period of time or just get the money working? I'd really appreciate any advice you could give me in this format.
Thank you as always!

Q: If someone had to purchase 1 etf in their portfolio, would you say that this is the best one even though it is pricey. Thank you

Q: Hello Peter,
I know you have answered this about Topicus special dividend. I find it odd that in the early stages of the company's existence , it is paying out a special dividend. Could this be a sign that the company sees little appetite for acquiring companies and will focus on organic growth? What is a good etf that excludes the magnificent 7 , SPY minus magnificent 7.. Appreciate it and thanks for the service.

Q: My wife and I would like to convert our diversified portfolio of 20 active companies to a portfolio of ETFs. We are in our 70s and would like to simplify our portfolio.

We picture 5 to 10 ETFs.
One or two ETFs for all Canadian stocks, same for the USA and one or two for indexes outside North America.
As I say, we’re currently pretty well diversified and earning dividend income of around 5% and would like to continue around that level of yield and diversification.

What ETFs would you include? Is this a dream or can it really be done?
Many thanks for your research and opinion.
Frank

Q: Thanks to Peter, Ryan and the 5i Team, my portfolio has recovered from the Tech Wreck of 2022. Much of this is due to my holdings in Nvidia and SMCI. I have been trimming some along the way up, but Nvidia is now over 12% and SMCI is over 6% of my portfolio. This time around, I'd like to hold on to my gains (unlike in 2022).

My questions are: What "sleep at night" ETF or stock might you suggest to put some of my profits into (sector doesn't matter)? Also, what percentage of your holdings would you be comfortable with SMCI going to?

My pension covers my living expenses, so I am able to take a little more risk.

Thanks,

Brad

Q: just wondering what etf in the u.s. you like best for the long term [10 years or more] that has a low mer [eg. spy , voo, vanguard,etc] and pays a reasonable dividend.

Q: Can you please suggest a few ETF's for a young investor who has recently opened a brokerage account.
My 30 y/o son will be transferring funds currently held at his bank. (TSFA , RESP, RRSP accounts) He is looking for long term investments options.

We as grand parents have started a RESP for each of the grandchildren. Looking after their first year RESP contributions. Currently invested in HXS and a small VFV position.
Can you please give some options for :
RRSP
RESP
TSFA
Thank you
Gord

Q: There are a number of Canadian based NASDAQ100 and S&P500 ETF's. Which NASDAQ100 and S&P500 ETF would you prefer, or would be "best", for a TFSA account, and why? Would investing within an RRSP or in a non-registered account alter your selections and if so, why would that be? Thanks.

Q: Further to my question regarding my 22 year old son. Do you think the approach to buy just the SPY is ok or would you recommend a diverse group of ETF's and maybe a few stocks? If so which ones?

Q: My 22 year old son received a $100,000 gift from his grandfather on his birthday. His TFSA and FHSA are fully funded so this money will go to funding his first unregistered account. The S&P 500 has shown an average annual return in excess of 13% over the past 15 years and over 20% in 2023. As such, it is tempting to just put the full amount in an S&P ETF, but having come off a 20% year gives one pause. What is your recommendation in this case?

Q: Hi Folks,
I am looking suggestions for my non reg account,
I currently have 7% weighting in HHL and 7% in ZWE. I am close to retirement age.
Also is there a website that indicates whether the income from etfs/ stocks are dividends or interest.
Cheers

Cheers

Q: Hi 5i team,

My daughter and her partner are investing in their RRSPs through a work plan. They are in a number of Mutual funds, some with quite high MERs range about 1.5 to 2.5%. Also high redemption rates (some up to 5% in first year or two). I have tried to find the mutual funds from their statements, but mostly listed without codes so difficult to be certain of all data.

They have :
20% Balanced funds
47% Canadian Equity
13% Global Fixed income
20% Foreign Equity.

Amount invested is significant but not really high - includes 3 years of contributions/investment. I think they would be best to withdraw the money now and invest in ETFs. I don't think they need to similarly replicate the funds above in ETFs.

2 questions:

A. Any suggestions as to most efficient way to withdraw from these funds? Are there questions to ask that might help reduce redemption bite or should they just make the switch.
B. They are late 30's and 40 yo, so time horizon of approx. 20 years or more before needing money. They are interested in investing but are very early in this. Wondering what you would suggest for starter ETFs right now with bias towards growth. Perhaps you could suggest 4-6 ETFs that would give them age and time horizon appropriate investments.

Please use as many questions as needed.
Thank you in advance for your usual great service and the very helpful advice.

Q: Hi Guys

It seems during the last year that the Mag7 have really had their time in the sun. I am wondering if there might be some rotation out of these names. Wondering where you thought the best returns would be over the next few years in a S&P 500 type ETF:

1) XSP - iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF
2) An Equal Weight S&P 500 Index like Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Index ETF, 3) or or something like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF.

What ETF would you think would do the best

Thanks

Stuart

Q: Hi, I’m retired and have a $75,000 rrsp that I’m looking to invest. Would like two ETF’s one Canadian one U.S that complement one another, or four to five stocks.
Would like the suggestions to be fairly conservative with possibly 3-4% dividend. ( don’t really need the money). I’m slightly favouring the etf’s as I want a buy and hold portfolio with a sleep at night possibility. I do have lots of financial and energy stocks already, ( fyi) I know there is always risk that I’m willing to accept.
Thanks for your suggestion

Q: Is there an ETF that tracks the s&p but excludes the mag 7 ?