Investment Q&A

Q: What are the best cash proxy ETFs in your opinion?

Q: I have $500,000 from sale of house that I need to park until January when I can contribute it back to my TFSA. Given the recent strong markets and the fact we are going I to seasonally weak months I don’t want to be exposed to market risk. Once back in my TFSA I will put the money to work in the markets.
I was thinking of using HSAV as the returns are by way of unit price appreciation which would be taxed more favourably than interest paid out in CASH or PSA. The unit price growth in HSAV is somewhat erratic which is a bit concerning.
Your thoughts or other suggestions.

Q: Hello 5i,

We have decided to trim equity positions by 15%-20% and replace those stocks with less risky investments. This move is to retain capital investments for the near term due to leveraged market evaluations and the Narcissist who is making a serious attempt to change the US from a democracy to a Totalitarian state.

Can you please provide a list of safe havens to shelter against some of the potential risks?

Thank you
D&J

Q: Hi Team:
I have some cash sitting in RIF acct. Presently in RBF2010 paying 2.3% interest, with unlimited charge for buy or sells..
Would I be better to spent the $9.95 and buy into something like CASH or PSA? Then I would also have to pay $9.95 to get out.
As a follow-up to that question how about if this was in an 'open account' , Where the interest is taxed at 100% income whereas CASH or PSA would act like a dividend income and therefore taxed at roughly 66% income.
OR do you have a better suggestion for larger amounts of $$
Thank you. :-)

Q: Hello 5i,
largely thanks to you, I have made a fair bit of money over the past few years. Certainly, more than I would have made on my own. Thank you. But, I am thinking that in my mid 70's I should start thinking about preserving it in order to pass it on. I know that stocks are you're forte, but i noticiced that you have been generous enough to give advise on other matters, as well. I will try to make this question not too close to portfolio planning advice and so hope you can advise me. In reviewing literature I notice that people say at this stage in life, we should not be looking out too far. Therefore shortterm bond etf's are best. AGG, which I own, for instance, is discouraged because it goes out to six years and there could be a downturn at just the wrong time. They also mention holding tips, corporate bonds and a GI C ladder. I didn't think that I would need these latter assets. Just bond etf's in US and CDN. I also thought government would be better than corporate, as well, because they would be more secure. Anyway, I hope that at this point in the game you can also dsirect me to the right choices, as you have in the past. Here is a list of assets suggested:

short-term Canadian bonds XSB or VSB Core stable income
Short-term corporates ZCS Slightly higher yield
Laddered GICs (1–5 yrs) GICs from brokerage Guaranteed principal
U.S. short Treasuries VGSH Safe USD diversification
U.S. short TIPS VTIP Inflation hedge
High-interest savings ETF CASH.TO or PSA Liquidity buffer

Q: Hi, new hear and would like to know the best place to park some money for each account type. Money will be needed between 3 to 12 months. Also if selling in which order would you sell the following ZWK, ZPW, UMAX, ENCC, TD, NA, FC, SLF.
Thank you

Q: Where would you recommend that cash or near cash be held in a registered acct. in order to get best net return for next 6 months? Also, for an extra credit, please compare CASH:TSX to:

TDB8150
ISA-TDB@2.30% PA /NL'FRAC

Thank you.

Q: Several weeks ago one of your members said they were seeking the safety and yield of CASH:CA and another name I can't remember or find again. This to ride out the market turmoil. I remember both names as being stable and having a decent dividend. Can you suggest the forgotten name or other names that are similiar and offer similiar features?

Q: I asked this question on June 1, 2025 but did not get an answer so I am asking again.

What is the difference in underlining risks between ZST and high interest saving ETFs like CASH and HSAV?
What is the difference in yield between them?
I have about $100k in cash to park for 1 year ish so I am looking for a bit of yield during this time.

Q: I’m thinking of switching my cash from CASH and HSAV to ZST. The reason is ZST now has a higher yield than CASH and HSAV (3%+ versus 2.6-2.7%)The intended duration is about 1 year.
What are the risks associated with ZST? Is ZST riskier than CASH and HSAV?

Q: HI there,

I have a bit of cash sitting on the sidelines right now and would like to place it in a cash alternative ETF so that I am not losing money while I wait to invest it within the next few months. Are there any high interest savings ETFs you would recommend? Thank you.

Q: Is TDB8160 as good as these others? What is the advantage or disadvantage to the others, and is one more liquid/safer than the other? Thank you!

Q: Have some money to park but looking for best interest rate return. Looking at CASH and CIB238. Which is better in your opinion? Looking for safety for 1 year. What is approximate current return for each?

Q: If a bond crisis were coming in Canada ,with increased interest rates( including Moody's lowering CDA rating ),increased debt and deficits for instance , would ETFs similar to HSAV or CASH also be at risk ( as longer term bonds) and in such case,woùd you have better ETF suggestions for short term investments ?

Q: I have put a large portion of my cash in CASH and TCSH due to my reluctance to lock in the money. My question more on taxing of proceeds: are both taxed fully as income?

Q: I am 25 years old and have my TFSA and FHSA maxed out. I will likely buy a house in 1-3 years. Should I start contributing (and investing) any additional money in my RRSP or in a cash investment account? Which ETF should I invest in? Thanks!

Q: Best vehicle to park a bunch of cash in a brokerage account till the noise stops?

Q: Hi there,

I'm evaluating the fixed income portion of my portfolio and am debating between a ladder GIC vs a HISA ETF. I understand GICs are locked in rates and HISA etfs are floating, but can you provide any insight as to the general historical differences in performance over historical time? In other words, say 100k split into 5 rungs of 20k vs 100k in a floating rate HISA etf - is there any difference in performance historically?

Thank you!

Q: I right now have 100,000 in cash (Canadian Dollars) that I want to keep in Money Market ETFs for the Short Term.

I have been trying to find the yield for all of the above and it is not easy because most of them show me the annualized yield. Interest rates have come down several times in the last year so the annual yield is not the best way to compare the above funds.

Which of the two funds above do you recommend, the reasons why and what is the current yield on it.

My brokerage account is with Questrade and they do not offer any of their own High Interest Savings Accounts like TD Direct Investing.

Thank You.

Q: Which of the following you recommend for safety ?
ZMMK, HISA or CASH.
Please deduct as required. Thanks for your insight.