Investment Q&A

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: Hi Peter and Team,

Our Technology exposure across all accounts is 20.52%, which is concerning me. Without selling any CSU or LMN, which I plan to keep 'forever', could you please rank the following ETFs in order of which to sell outright, or reduce. Each ETF is followed by the percentage of Technology stocks that it holds:

QQC.F (62.51%)
VFV (39.6%)
XGRO (21.06%)

We have some other ETFs that we want to keep, and their Technology holdings are all less than 15%.

The proceeds from the sale/reduction in the three ETFs above will be used to increase holdings in under represented sectors.

The three ETFs noted all have good profits. No commissions will have to be paid with these transactions.

Thanks as always for your insight.

Q: Can both of these be held in a long term balanced portfolio? Is there overlap between them?

Q: Do you know when the ex-dividend is/was?

Q: Out of these three all-in-one ETFs:
1) Which one is most tax efficient in a un-registered account?
2) Which one is most tax efficient in a registered account?
3) Which one is better to invest for longer term of 10+ years?

Q: Hello,

I am a 65 year old retiree. I am considered an Alpha-Balanced investor according to Portfolio Analytics.

I need to simplify my portfolio in order to make it easier for my wife to manage as we get older. I like the idea of having all in one ETF's. Based on my Alpha Balanced risk tolerance which all in one ETF's would you recommend investing in for the long term? What percentage of overall portfolio would you invest in each all in one ETF? I realize you don't want to see more than 20% in each one but that would require at least 5 all in one ETF's? I was hoping for fewer.

Thanks for your help.

Q: Would this be a good fund to buy on the dips and average into over the next 3 to 5 years and then hold?

Q: What one do you prefer for a 3 to 5 year hold?

Q: Out of these four, which one do you think would have the best return over a 3 to 5 year time period? Looking for something "safe" and steady.

Thanks

Q: Hi,

This is a follow up to a question by Danielle, While XGRO sounds like a growth oriented ETF, can you please review it to see if it actually is. By my quick review it holds almost 20% in bonds and treasuries and its actual stock holdings (via ETFs) are run of the mill, not really leaning towards growth. Or am I missing something? Thanks.

Q: Can you explain the difference between these two. Curious which is more or less risky or would have potential better returns in long term.

Q: What is your opinion of ZGRO.T vs a larger asset allocation ETF such as XGRO or ZGRO for a retiree who desires monthly income with a growth component? Thanks for all your great work.

Q: Could you please add FGRO ETF to your database.
I understood these 5 ETF's would have similar price performance but FGRO and TGRO outpace the other three for the last 3 Years. ZGRO, XGRO and VGRO pretty much have the same performance. Can you help explain why FGRO and TGRO have significantly outperformed the three?

Q: We have been keeping in cash the proceed of the sale of a condo. what would you suggest for a conservative growth ETF in canadian currency. That would represent 10% of our equities holdings. Looking for more growth than yield, as this would be in a non registered account. We would like something all in one, as I do not want to add more names to the list of equities we have.

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I am in the process of setting up an investment account for my nephew and would like to stick to indexes for the time being until he is comfortable with individual equities.

Given the current market climate and your best guess, what % would you attribute in a portfolio (out of 100%) to the following indices: VFV, XQQ, XIC, IWO, XGRO. Please feel free to suggest any other index that was not mentioned in the list above.

Thank you!

Q: I am making the switch to holding ETFs in my RRSP instead of individual stocks to make it easier to manage. Can you recommend your top ETFs for a growth oriented investor who has a 10-15 year horizon and wants a globally diversified portfolio. I would like to limit this to less than 5 ETFs.

Thanks

Greg

Q: Please rate these mutual funds and suggest 2 options for each from Fidelity that you would choose instead if a rating is poor to fair.

Q: I'm looking to invest the majority of my money into an all-in-one 80/20 asset allocation ETF, such as VGRO, XGRO, ZGRO or HGRO. Aim is to set-it-and-forget-it.

What does 5iR recommend?

Q: What ETFs/mutual funds ( not limited to Canadian equities ) would you recommend for a young couple (in their early 30s) for their TFSA. It will be for a long term hold. If more than 1 ETF is advised, what percentage in each ETF. Thank you

Q: Good morning,

Truly enjoy reading your reports and answers to queries asked by members!

In your response to Chris, on April 8th, you outline a starting strategy for a young 16 year old investor.

You state: "we might start out with a broad market ETF that pays a dividend"

Would you be comfortable listing a few broad market ETF that fit this criteria taking into account a 10 year lock up of the funds?

Perhaps suggesting a few for high, moderate and low risk tiers.

Have a great weekend!

Art