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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: Hi 5i team,

My daughter and her partner are investing in their RRSPs through a work plan. They are in a number of Mutual funds, some with quite high MERs range about 1.5 to 2.5%. Also high redemption rates (some up to 5% in first year or two). I have tried to find the mutual funds from their statements, but mostly listed without codes so difficult to be certain of all data.

They have :
20% Balanced funds
47% Canadian Equity
13% Global Fixed income
20% Foreign Equity.

Amount invested is significant but not really high - includes 3 years of contributions/investment. I think they would be best to withdraw the money now and invest in ETFs. I don't think they need to similarly replicate the funds above in ETFs.

2 questions:

A. Any suggestions as to most efficient way to withdraw from these funds? Are there questions to ask that might help reduce redemption bite or should they just make the switch.
B. They are late 30's and 40 yo, so time horizon of approx. 20 years or more before needing money. They are interested in investing but are very early in this. Wondering what you would suggest for starter ETFs right now with bias towards growth. Perhaps you could suggest 4-6 ETFs that would give them age and time horizon appropriate investments.

Please use as many questions as needed.
Thank you in advance for your usual great service and the very helpful advice.
Read Answer Asked by Tulio on January 31, 2024
Q: Portfolio Analytics indicates that across all accounts, we are underweight in the Basic Materials sector. The two stocks and CGL.C listed above are the only holdings in this sector. (CGL.C is a small holding. as it can be traded with zero commission)

Please suggest some additional Canadian and U.S. stocks in this sector to improve diversification, include reasonable entry points, and rank them in order of what to purchase first.

For a Canadian ETF, what is your opinion of XMA?

Please deduct as many credits as necessary.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on January 30, 2024
Q: Hi, looking to invest 70,000 in two etf’s one Canada one U.S in a rrsp. (or two U.S. etf’s as I have no U.S holding yet)
Two suggestions that are a conservative sleep at night, and longer term hold, with a 2+% dividend.
Also would like to have if possible a balanced sector allocation. I already have lots of financial and oil- gas stocks, which is heavy in Canada.
Hope this makes sense?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Brad on January 30, 2024
Q: Looking to add 1 of above etf to my tfsa for a 3 to 4 year hold would you please analyze and compare. Which would you recommend? Is there a tax implication to consider? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on January 30, 2024
Q: I have 18 K in US funds, do I convert it to CAD$ and buy VFV or do I keep it in US $ and buy VOO?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Colleen on January 30, 2024
Q: Two questions,
Most Reits have not performed well in the last year,I hold Riocan and it seems to have done worse than most. I want some exposure to real estate going forward-Would it be a good idea to switch to another Reit at this time?If so,any suggestions?

FIE has done well for me,but has high management fee's. Would it be prudent to switch to something a little safer with lower fee's,like CPD or? Thankyou
Read Answer Asked by Steve on January 30, 2024
Q: Hi Guys

It seems during the last year that the Mag7 have really had their time in the sun. I am wondering if there might be some rotation out of these names. Wondering where you thought the best returns would be over the next few years in a S&P 500 type ETF:

1) XSP - iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF
2) An Equal Weight S&P 500 Index like Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Index ETF, 3) or or something like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF.

What ETF would you think would do the best

Thanks

Stuart
Read Answer Asked by Stuart on January 29, 2024
Q: Dear 5i team.
I'm sure there is an answer to this in the archives, just not sure how to search. Maybe with AI, you folks can give us the option of searching like a google search? IE with a sentence vs needing to know ticker? (May put some of the folks out of work, so understand if this is not a high priority. :)

Can you tell me which US or Global ETF is focussed on building arms and munitions for military purpose? I'd like to take the aviation part out if possible, as I'd prefer to stay far away from Boeing for the time being.

Many thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on January 29, 2024
Q: Good Afternoon,

When using the 60/40 etfs (VBAL, XBAL, ZBAL) in an RRSP, what would you consider to be the most prudent way of splitting up +$100,000 for a long term hold (30-40 years)?

Ie:
100% in one etf?
50/50 split between two etfs?
3 way split between three etfs?

And in general, at what dollar value in a single 60/40 etf do YOU start to feel uncomfortable?

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Sandra on January 29, 2024