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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: I hope all is well at 5i and you are enjoying the sunny summer. I wish we had more rain here in Niagara.

Garth asked an interesting question last week which you answered on Friday. He was asking about all-in-one ETFs and specifically such as VGRO, XGRO, ZGRO or HGRO. 5i recommended VGRO over ZGRO with no mention of HGRO.

I did my usual half-baked research (engineer not a financial guy) and found some interesting things using the G&M watchlist plot routines. I just plotted a comparison of ETFs using 1, 2 and 3 year intervals relative to last Friday (July 15th). First, I compared VCNS, VBAL, and VGRO. To my surprise, the worst performer for each relative time interval (1,2 and 3 years) was VCNS and the best by far was VGRO. For 1,2 and 3 years VCNS was -13.4, -7.5 and -3.7% while VGO was -12.7, 2.9 and 5.7% from July 15th). Seems Garth was on to something by asking about GRO ETFs.

Then I compared the 4 GRO ETFs that Garth was asking about. The one year returns relative to July 15th were all essentially the same at about -13%. However, HGRO was hands down the winner for the 2 and 3 year relative time periods from July 15th i.e., 10.6 and 20.5% for HGRO versus 2.9 and 5.7% for VGRO. I realize VGRO has a 2.2% dividend (according to G&M) but not that doesn’t make up the difference. I also realize HGRO is just shy of 3 years history but close enough for me.

Is HGRO doing something with significant increased risk or is something wrong with my research oven?

Maybe an article in your ETF & Mutual Fund Update report would be helpful.

Thanks, as usual.
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on July 18, 2022
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?
Read Answer Asked by Garth on July 15, 2022
Q: I have been looking at these two ETFs. The top 10 holdings in VDY look like buy and hold companies. It seems a bit heavy on banks so really wondering about your short-term outlook on CDN banks for the rest of the year?

HGRO has had a good run in 2020 and certainly not expecting as spectacular in 2021, but do you think it will continue to do reasonably well (your thoughts would be greatly appreciated please? I realize you do not have a crystal ball).

Do you think the combo of these two would be a good idea say 50:50? The idea would be for growth as remainder of portfolio is with you balanced ETF model portfolio.

Thanks so much.
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on April 07, 2021
Q: I am looking for an Asset Allocation Growth ETF with exposure to all geographical areas. Something similar to VEQT but less USA and more International . 20 year time horizon and held in my non-registered cash account
Read Answer Asked by darcy on March 30, 2021
Q: would this be a good fund to invest in for a young adult first investment
Read Answer Asked by Pierre on March 19, 2021
Q: Re article in today’s National Post re ETF of ETF’s, no ticker symbols were included. Can you provide same and indicate your opinion on general suitability and if favourable your choice?
Thank you for considering my question
Read Answer Asked by Gail on January 13, 2020