Investment Q&A

Q: Which is better for a long term investment, basically to regularly add to and forget about it? Plan to mainly hold this etf instead of 20 stocks.

Q: What is your opinion of the ETFS, XEQT and VEQT. If only buying one, which one would you pick?


Thanks Valter

Q: Hi,
My 17 year old will be opening a TFSA and has $2400 to invest for her future. There will be no new funds added for some time as she starts University this week. I was thinking either VEQT or a combo of XIC and ZSP. What do you think is the best choice or do you have a better suggestion?
Thanks,
Kerri

Q: I am a 79 years old, retired with a portfolio of stocks (~40%), ETF's (30%) and Cash (30%).
I have good pension income so I don't need monthly income.
I am thinking of moving ~ 15% of my cash back into the market, considering either more VGRO and/or VEQT. Your comment please..

Q: Hi,

Every month, I buy some VEQT as part of a dollar cost averaging strategy. It seems, however, that every month my purchase price is higher than the previous month. It keeps going up and up - and I'm getting leery.

I know you can't provide personal advice but, generally speaking, would you continue to proceed in this manner. Or are there other variations of dollar cost averaging in a rising market? Other strategies to consider?

Presumably, one could make a larger purchase up front. But when the funds come from my monthly salary, that's harder to do.

Thanks,
Robert

Q: Hello, would like to know for total returns of these ETFs (ZWC, ZWU, CNCC, HCAL, ZSP, VCN, VE, XGRO, VEQT, XBAL) which is your favorite in order for each and in which account type is each best suited for. Also please give me your number 1 top pick of all Canadian listed ETFs for each account type.

Thank you

Q: Might buy a house, probably won't buy a house. Prices so high, I've been maxout out the FHSA so far and it's mostly in VEQT, bit of PLTR and CRWD which have done well. What other US or CAD stock would you recommend (shorter term BUT will leave it in there longer if market goes down/ ultimately could convert to RRSP) that is underpriced and or could have huge potential upside. Imagining turning the FHSA $40,000 limit into ... ideally a $200,000 down pmt over the next 3-10 years

Q: Hi

I'm looking to invest $5K/month in an equity fund. You previously sided with VEQT for its history and slightly better long term returns versus ZEQT.

However, I can buy ZEQT for free, whereas I'm charged $10 a trade for VEQT.

Would saving the $120/year in fees be short sighted if VEQT will appreciate more in the long run? Or will the $120/year add up to even it out?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: I have BNS544 mutual fund, would like to know what 3 ETFs in order would you replace this mutual fund with. For a RRSP account.
Much appreciated

Q: Hi there, often times the 4% rule is used as a foundation for retirement planning. I believe the original study used US equities and US bonds as the funds to develop the 4% withdrawal rule. Obviously no one has a crystal ball, but what would be your opinion on using as international equity ETF with the 4% rule rather than a US fund such as VFV? If you were make an educated guess, do you believe using funds such as XEQT/VEXT and VAB/XBB instead of US funds would yield similar results as the 4% study over the longterm going forward?

Q: Hello ,
I was thinking of buying TD technology leaders etf (TEC) instead of XQQ , the nasdaq 100 etf as it has performed the nasdaq and seems to be more diversified. Any comments please?

Also, I looked at the details of VUN and XUU etfs, They both seem to have similar holdings and over 5 year period both have similar performance. However , going over more than 5 years, why has VUN out performed XUU. I am not clear on this..

Regardless of the tariffs situation, the US market seems to do well over time, and hence i thought instead of total Europe exposure, go with VEQT etf. Any comments please..

Also, do you prefer unhedged products like VUN as opposed to VUS? Lastly, i use yahoo to to compare charts. Do you know a better site please? Thanks very much

Q: Hi,

I’m following up on recent questions about taxation of the ETF VEQT (and similar) in an RRSP.

I am a bit confused about what withholding taxes might apply to VEQT. I have three questions please.

1) Would you be so kind at to explain what withholding taxes apply to VEQT in an RRSP?

2) If there are non-recoverable withholding taxes on VEQT in an RRSP, can they be quantified?

3) Finally, if there are withholding taxes applicable to VEQT in an RRSP, is there an ETF setup with the same diversification objective as VEQT that is more tax efficient in an RRSP?

(I tried following this information but I’m still unclear: https://www.vanguard.ca/content/dam/intl/americas/canada/en/documents/WithholdingTax_Guide-final.pdf).

Thank you very much.

Michael

Q: I rely on you for accurate information when reading answers to questions. however my research shows that VEQT holds a basket of funds not individual stocks. I hate paying more taxes than I need to and always look for the lowest fees and taxes when investing. Please confirm holdings of this fund. Thank you.

Q: Do you you prefer one of these over the others? Would VEQT would be more efficient in an RSSP as it holds individual stocks rather than ETF's?

Q: Following up on Harrison's RESP question from February 10th, I'm seeking advice on ETF recommendations for my grandson's RESP. He turns two in March 2025, giving him approximately 16 years until he'll need the funds.
I appreciate your ETF recommendations, particularly the split between Canadian and US markets (VGG, ZSP, ZCN, XCG, VDY). I'm also considering ZUQ (BMO MSCI USA High Quality Index), but I'm wondering if it's too similar to ZSP? Your thoughts?
I do not like CDZs holdings as much.
You also mentioned two balanced ETFs in your response (XBAL and VBAL). The fixed income allocation is approximately 40% for these balanced ETFs. In contrast, XGRO and VGRO have a fixed income allocation of around 20%, and XEQT or VEQT have no fixed income. What I like about these allocation ETFs is they have some international exposure.
Considering the long-term horizon, I'm leaning towards XEQT/VEQT, which have no fixed income. My main question is whether the 20% fixed income component of XGRO/VGRO or even the XBAL/VBAL (40% fixed income) is necessary for a two-year-old’s RESP? Or are XEQT/VEQT too aggressive, considering the other ETFs mentioned?
Finally, wouldn't it be more appropriate to introduce a 100% fixed income ETF closer to the withdrawal age or perhaps three years before we start accessing the funds?
Deduct as many points as you think necessary.
As always thanks for the great advice.
Élaine

Q: Which one do you prefer and why?

Thanks

Q: From a tax perspective, which of the above ETFs are best suited for:

1. TFSA
2. RRSP

Q: Hello Peter,
I tried to balance growth and income as well as dividends (no with holding tax in RRSP for US stocks but there is in TFSA), and hence, can you let me know if these make sense for a mid 20s person starting off to have a more growth in TFSA and more income in RRSP.
TFSA: veqt, vgg, and xfn and maybe xic ( veqt has cdn exposure so thought i would exclude xic )
RRSP: vbal, zuq, xic, and xuu all of these trade on tsx. Much appreciated.

Q: Hi- I’m looking for a long term, somewhat diversified CG hold for my TFSA. What do you think of FEQT. Do you have others you prefer?
Thanks,
Guy

Q: Hi,
I believe VEQT pays an annual dividend at the end of December. What would be the pros and cons of borrowing some money, depositing it in an RRSP, buying VEQT and repaying the loan when the tax refund from this and other RRSP deposits earlier in the year comes in April 2025? I realize the loan interest will have to be paid as a cost, and the higher dividend amount on the added funds would be the benefit. Thank you. Michael