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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 am currently considering the purchase of the ZDH ETF for a non-registered account. I would appreciate your advice about the tax implications, especially given that this ETF has a high yield and is invested primarily in European and Asian equities.

Where can I find out how different ETFs compare for tax in Canada? The Morningstar site offers a "tax analysis" section, but it does not make sense to me. For example, using the site's "since inception" returns, the ratio of "tax-adjusted return" to "pre-tax" return for XIC (Canada) is 86%, and for DGRO (US) is 94%. This would seem to imply that a Canadian investor would pay less in taxes buying a US ETF than a Canadian ETF. The same ratio for ZDH is 76%.

I would like to understand (1) is there a better site other than Morningstar, where I can find out the tax implications of buying ETFs which hold foreign equities; and (2) how much of an impact do the taxes have on the investment returns when one buys ETFs with foreign equities (i.e. if the pretax return for a foreign ETF is 8%, what return would I need from a Canadian ETF to keep the same after-tax amount?).

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on March 18, 2019
Q: Dear 5i..I am still struggling with the fixed income portion of my portfolio and I am ok with a low but stable, steady income stream (age 68) but I don't wish to see erosion of my capital..my question is-over a period of 15 to 20 years(or longer) as I begin the deaccumulation process do you see any significant difference between bonds and laddered GIC's knowing in fact that both options are yielding peanuts. I would appreciate your comments and alternate strategy...regards. gary
Read Answer Asked by Gary on March 18, 2019
Q: Hey there guys. Wondering about appropriate allocation for my rrsp for longterm holdings (using etfs). Focused on low cost, and good diversification, geographically especially. Keeping in mind my tfsa will be almost exclusively Canadian stocks and ETFs. So for the rrsp 50% VTI, 40% SPDW, 10% HXT. I know spdw holds a bit of Canada too. Thanks for your amazing work, it is very much appreciated,
Jer in Ottawa
Read Answer Asked by Jeremy on March 18, 2019
Q: Good day team ,looking for advice on dividend fund or etf for rsp.i have agf series q interpipeline and sentry energy funds for longer timeframe i have 10 g to ad not sure on what ,thanks for all the great help my investments choices are better since joining your team
Read Answer Asked by Norman on March 18, 2019
Q: Your opinion please as to 5 best value buys (most down for no great reason) according to the following criteria

Canadian Dividend paying, large blue chip type company, any sector

thanks

Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on March 18, 2019
Q: People of 5i I am seeking your expert opinion on IAC including a summary of positives, negatives, whether you would recommend it at this time and of course any other info you'd care to provide. Is this a risky buy at these levels? Many thanks for your guidance - Ken from Naples/Toronto
Read Answer Asked by Ken on March 18, 2019
Q: Hi,
I have shares of Equinox Gold in my TFSA and a few months ago they separated their copper assets into a company called Solaris Copper Inc. There was no value assigned to the shares, I'm not sure if they are even a public company yet.
Regardless I assumed the shares will just sit there until a value is assigned and they could be traded publicly. Recently I received a letter from iTRADE informing me that the shares of Solaris are a non qualified security and all income earned and all capital gains derived from the non-qualified investment will be reported to Canada Revenue Agency on a T3RET trust return . Any tax payable on this amount will be levied directly against the TSFA account.
Can you explain this to me? The shares have no value so I can't see that I am on the hook for any penalty. 50% of $0 is $0. Secondly I am angry at Equinox for putting me in this position.
Thanks,
Charlie
Read Answer Asked by Charlie on March 18, 2019
Q: Can you comment on why Organigram has not yet listed on a more senior exchange?It seems to me this would expand its attractiveness to a wider shareholder base and perhaps given its size from a market cap perspective allow the company to be included in indexes.Do they have any plans to apply to either Nasdaq and/ or TSX exchange listings?
Read Answer Asked by Kim on March 18, 2019
Q: With the LNG project moving forward,and even talk of expansion, what are thoughts on the sector over the next five years?
Which companies stand to gain the most?
Are there other options (ie drillers and camps) such as Trinidad, Precision, Black Diamond etc that are worth considering at this point.
Thanks
Phil
Read Answer Asked by Phil on March 18, 2019