Investment Q&A

Q: Good evening. I’m wondering what would be your choices for dividend etfs in a non registered account. I already hold xdiv. Can you kindly suggest a US market ETF and a couple for international exposure?

Thanks

Q: I have owned MAW120 for almost 10 years, and upon looking at its recent performance, I can't find any reason to continue owning this fund. Can you?

As per Mawer's web site (https://www.mawer.com/funds/performance) it shows results as of June 30, 2025 versus its benchmark:

MAW120 1yr: -0.9%; 3 yr: 9.8%; 5 yr 7.7%
Benchmark: 1 yr: 15.8%; 3 yr: 19.6%; 5 yr 13.7%

For the one year period ending June 30th it lost money! It's benchmark earned 15.8%. It has > 50% invested in the US market. I don't see how they could lose money over that time period. Can you explain how it could lose money when markets in US, Canda and Europe over that period were generally good. Even their International Equity fund made 23.3% over the same 1 year time period.

I will be "firing" them. I have sold 1/2 today, and will sell the other 1/2 next week. I would like to invest in the benchmark for this fund, or something as equivalent as possible. Can you suggest 3 ETFs for me to buy for global equity exposure that have significantly better performance than MAW120.

Thanks,
Paul

Q: Similar to my last question on Jepi/Spyi, and with the following mandate:

In my USD dollar Rif, I want to reduce single stock risk and diversify across either Europe only or internationally (for North American I will use either Jepi or Spyi). Mandate is, 4% plus yield, low Mer, Large market cap, lower volatility, and Capital preservation more so than appreciation. do you have any concerns holding the captioned over the long term

Q: In my USD Rif, I have a small number of blue chip dividend payers. I want to reduce single stock risk and diversify across North American and International.
Mandate is, 4% plus yield, low Mer, Large market cap, lower volatility, and Capital preservation more so than appreciation. With respect to these (leaning toward Jepi vs Spyi), do you have any concerns holding over the long term

Q: Can you recommend some global ETF's in both USD and CAD?

Q: I am a conservative income oriented investor and currently interested in investments that are USD denominated, pay a good dividend, provide some growth and most importantly will benefit from a reduction in the USD, for example the Ishares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV).
Based on my criterial can you comment on IDV specifically and provide alternatives?
Many Thanks for all your help
John

Q: For a conservative income oriented investor looking for some growth, what ETFs would you recommend to increase my international exposure, and take advantage of lower rates.?
Many Thankls
John

Q: I'm interested in investing in a basket of companies that you think have the ability to increase their dividends even in a recessionary environment. Could you please send me some of your favourite ETF's that would give me exposure to these kinds of companies. If possible could you suggest ones that give me the necessary exposure to:
Canadian companies
American companies
International companies.
Thanks for your appreciated support.

Q: Thoughts on IDV? It currently yields over 7%.

Q: I need to increase my international exposure by 20% according to your analysis. Because we are retired and depend on our investments to supplement income what companies or ETF would you recommend? Thanks for your input.

Q: Hello 5i,
How would you compare these two ETF's in terms of overlap in geography and sector allocation? We have both - initially VXUS for International, then adding IDV for both yield and diversification within International. We also hold ZWE, ZWG, and VEE yet we still need to increase our International by about 1.80 %. Yield is very important to us as these will be used for RRIF income in the very immediate future.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, as always!!
Thanks!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: I’d like to start a position in one or more income funds that offer a very high yield, but I’m not sure which ones to choose. As of Wednesday Oct 5th, these are the indicated yields I’ve found:

CLM 23.92%
PDBC 20.65%
SDIV 15.31%
QYLD 14.19%
RYLD 14.05%
XYLD 13.05%
BIGZ 11.01%
JEPI 10.94%
PDO 10.90%
PDI 10.79%
BXMT 10.38%
MPW 10.17%
STWD 9.84%
EIT.UN 9.42%
IDV 8.15%

Would you recommend any of these or do you have other suggestions? Are any of them too risky if the bear market deteriorates from here, or can they all be held long term? Are some of these yields too good to be true, like CLM and PDBC? Thanks for your thoughts.

Q: Hi, my RRSP and TFSA are maxed out with VOO and QQQ. I would like to build non-registered account with some dividend ETFs. What would you buy and what % would you apply to each ? Thank you.

Q: What would be your top 3 Intl ETF's be for income and long term holding.

Q: I presently hold this in a RRIF although not much income is generated . I would like to switch to a global or international dividend ETF. What would be your top 3 choices for income, stability and hopefully some growth

Q: After selling a rental property I now have cash that equals approx 25% of my investment portfolio. My goal with this cash would be to create a mini portfolio within 2 TFSA's to produce dividend income to help with everyday expenses for the next 5 years or so. After this time the investments would be sold and incorporated into my balanced portfolio as the income should no longer be needed. I am looking to keep the portfolio to a max of 6 positions that are diversified from a geographical and sector standpoint. I do not have an exact income requirement, but 4% was my initial target. What investments would you suggest to meet my goals? Feel free to deduct as many credits as required.

Q: Hi,
I wanted to increase international equity exposure by adding ETFs. I currently own VWO (about 3%). What is your view on VIGI and VEU? Could you suggest 2-3 other names? Thanks,

Martin

Q: Hi
In my cash account I want to replace part of my CDZ holding by 4% and increase my US and International by 2% each. I also want to capture the CDZ capital loss. In addition I like the 5.23% dividend.

Would you have any suggestions I was looking at ZSP and VEE as possible replacements and am willing to replace some dividend loss for gains.

I thank you for your time.

Mike

Q: Hi 5i Team,
I do not have any international exposure and I am wondering if you would recommend a dividend ETF with some upside potential. What account would it be best held in? Do you think this is a good time to enter? Thanks so much.

Q: I'm going to retire next year and have recently received a inheritance. I have this money in a non registered account. PA is telling me that I need more US and international exposure. I'm looking at ETF's with dividends but being non Canadian holding I will not get the tax credit. Should I still look at dividend ETF's and not worry about the tax? I have a low to median risk for these non Canadian ETF's. I have a diversified group of large cap Canadian stocks to take advantage of the dividend tax credit. Can you give me some names to look at buying?
Thanks Greg