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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: What do you think about taking a new position in Russell 2000 at this time? Dan Niles was on CNBC talking about how the index may outperform some of the big tech names. I am also considering a position in SPY and/or the QQQ. I tend to buy and sell stocks too quickly and my thought was to buy an index fund with a view to holding longer term so that I don't have to worry about individual names. Thank you,

Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on October 11, 2023
Q: Hello, I asked a question, not long ago, on XSU. Thank you for your answer. Now, I would like you to compare it to XSMC. I know it is way smaller, but the returns have been much better the past 2 and 3 years, 15 to 20% better (I know they don’t follow the same index). This order of magnitude is still surprising to me, unless much of it is a function of the exchange rate fluctuation. I know it is difficult to evaluate, but is this outperformance likely to continue? Is the small size of this ETF a dealbreaker? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Martin on June 12, 2023
Q: If one already has a 10% weighting in ITOT would an additional position in a small cap fund be warranted? Which ETF is preferred for small cap exposure and why - IJR or IWM? It appears IJR has outperformed on all timelines. Is this due to its more concentrated approach? Is there a global small cap etf that is recommended?
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on June 02, 2023
Q: The first ones to forecast next year results are Goldman Sacks and they are pretty bearish on the stock market. They forecast the S&P to finish the year at 4000 after picking up steam in H2 while the first half should be down while traders will adjust their premiums with no gain in profits next year. Do you agree with their thesis? Where do you see the better overweight. In US with blue chips or smb ? Canada with oil and basic material? Look for dividend to try to make some yield? Please elaborate on your rational. Thanks a million$$$

Yves
Read Answer Asked by Yves on December 02, 2022
Q: Your last market update contained the following noteworthy statement:

“For investors with a long-term horizon, small-caps and mid-caps are presenting investors with a roughly once-in-a-decade opportunity.”

Can you recommend a few US ETFs that fit into this thesis?
Read Answer Asked by Steven on November 24, 2022
Q: Can I have your opinion on the risk/reward for Small Caps in general right now? Some analysts are suggesting Small Cap valuations are currently low based on their historical position relative to larger cap companies and should “revert to the mean” in the medium term. If you were to invest in this theme what ETF would you use? As always your insights are greatly appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on September 07, 2022
Q: Hello,

Please recommend some total market ETFs for the Canadian market, the American Market, for growth, for income, and/or the best overall in your opinion.

Thanks,

Mark
Read Answer Asked by Mark on August 02, 2022
Q: I would very much value your opinion /comments about Larry Swedroe's October 11, 2013 article in ETF.com entitled "The 'Black Hole Of Investing'" ( https://www.etf.com/sections/index-investor-corner/20092-the-black-hole-of-investing.html ) about why small cap growth stocks are the worst-performing segment of the investment market. And why you recommend them in your Growth portfolio (IWO) instead of small cap value, for example - Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by David on February 04, 2022
Q: This is a follow up to a previous question about USD ETFs where you suggested IWO for the long term small cap portion of a USD TFSA or USD RRSP. I'm curious why you suggest IWO in particular, as it seems to be a recurring suggestion. I'm partiuclarly interested in a comparison of IWO to IWM, VTWO, VBK and SLYG, how you would distinguish them, and in what situations these others might be preferred over IWO. These others all seem to have lower fees and slightly different composition features. Please take as many question credits as needed - thanks as always for helpful answers.
Read Answer Asked by Brad on November 17, 2021
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

The most recent question about XMD was on Feb. 23.

For a combined portfolio that is skewed somewhat more heavily to larger-cap stocks, could XMD make a good addition? From the iShares website: "Targeted exposure to mid-cap and small-cap Canadian equities". (I can trade this ETF commission-free.) XMD holds 175 stocks, many of which are favoured by 5i, but of course it also holds some that have fallen out of favour. Please suggest alternative Canadian and US ETFs that you may consider "better" but have the same overall goals of XMD.

As always, your advice is important.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on October 19, 2021
Q: Hi 5i, I believe in diversification and sector capital allocation as the way to help protect yourself over the long term and am currently building out a well diversified portfolio with dividends in mind. With that said my Canadian investments are good (thank you 5i) In the US I am missing exposure to small and midcap companies can you recommend a ETF or mutual fund while keeping dividends in mind currency doesn't matter to me as i have both Canadian and US accounts. Also for the rest of the world I have VXUS ETF can you help me with exposure there.
Many thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Mark on August 24, 2021
Q: Good morning,

I recently started selling puts and put credit spreads in SPY, QQQ, IWM and AAPL, these being among the most liquid underlyings with very tight bid-ask spreads. Things have worked out well, so far, as the market has been moving higher and higher.

I'm told that my positions are highly correlated and should consider underlyings that are not as correlated to the broad markets. Could you suggest some underlyings that I can consider? I prefer liquid underlyings so that I can exit them quickly in the event the trade goes against me.

Thank you

Read Answer Asked by Vee on August 11, 2021