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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: With say $1M in a self-directed portion of a RRSP converted to a RRIF in one year (2025), and two-thirds in CDN$ and one-third in US$ would you see any issues with the CDN$ split between HBAL and VBAL and the US$ into VIG? Your thoughts and alternate suggestions please.

Happy Holidays to all at 5i.
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on December 22, 2023
Q: In many of the investment articles I have been reading Bonds are being touted as a good investment in 2024. Do you agree? If yes, what Bond ETF's would you recommend?
Read Answer Asked by shirley on December 22, 2023
Q: ETF questions
1. When we look at charts or reports about the performance of an ETF, does the return include dividends received and net of all fees? For example. The TSX composite had an annualized return of about 5% over the past 10 years but it also pays a dividend of approximately 3%. Is the annualized return a total of 5% (as dividends are included in this figure and are re-invested) or is it about 8%.
2. To minimize duplication, which ETF (orETFs) would you suggest for international exposure if an S&P ETF is already planned for (or does it suffice to have US and Canadian ETF exposure as they are quite broad and many US companies already have international exposure).
Thanks again.
Read Answer Asked by Walter on December 22, 2023
Q: Hello 5i,

Our portfolios initiated positions of TLT, VCLT, IEF, VCIT, and VAB ~2 months ago. TLT and VCLT are each at 2% of the portfolio. VAB, IEF, VCIT combined are 3%.

We will add additional funding to the ETF's. Would you recommend an increase across the board or should we focus our increase on TLT, VCLT, and VAB based on the latest talk about lowering rates?

Note: We are treating the ETF's as a stock as we have GIC's through to 2028 as our fixed income (15%). What are the triggers to indicate that the ETF's are reaching the end of the runway and a switch to individual stocks is recommended?

Thank you for your great service and Merry Christmas.

D&J

Read Answer Asked by Jerry on December 22, 2023
Q: Hi there,

Can I please get your opinion on HEQT. The asset allocation looks to be different from VEQT and XEQT with its NASDAQ exposure. Do you suspect that over a long period (ie: multiple decades), this will help this etf outperform? How would you rate it relative to VEQT and XEQT?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on December 22, 2023
Q: https://www.rbadvisors.com/insights/4-for-24-year-ahead-outlook/

RB advisers recommend the following 4 themes for 2024 and as a value investor I am looking for ETF recommendations:
(1) US small caps: I am using XSU (100% IWM)
(2) US cyclicals: I found IYC but P/E is 27! Recommendation?
(3) Non-US and emerging markets: I have been using XEF and ZEM. I like XEM (100% EEM) because it posts a P/E each day.
(4) Theme 4 is "Industrials: deglobalization spurs infrastructure". No idea what ETFs to use here.
Thanks for your recommendations/comments!!!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on December 21, 2023
Q: What are your thoughts on water etfs or stocks? Should I use 1 or more in this sector? Using C$ or US$ to invest, which etf(s) or stock(s) do you recommend based to have the best potential?
Read Answer Asked by William on December 21, 2023
Q: Good evening,

I have a couple of questions regarding the following 5 ETF's. If it cost more than one credit that is ok. Just curious if you only own those 5 ETF's how diversified would you be? I understand that you be giving up some upside but from a diversification perspective do you have all your sectors covered?

For full disclosure I have 15 percent of my entire portfolio allocated to this 5 ETfs too add a little boost in income.

My last question regarding these 5 ETF's iss they all pay a distribution except SMAX and QMAX. SMAX and QMAX pay dividends according to my platform BMO investorline. Does that mean both these two are eligible for the dividend tax credit?

Thanks and have a great day.
Jimmy
Read Answer Asked by Jimmy on December 21, 2023
Q: RESP allocation for 10 & 12 year old kids is currently 100% in VEQT. If it were your account, at what ages would you consider transitioning to VGRO and then VBAL if money was required in 6-8 years. I realize there isn’t a right answer and purely subjective.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on December 21, 2023
Q: hi, in my USD account I currently hold: PFE, MMM, CRWD, NVDA and GOOGL. I want to add the IJT etf. any thoughts on positions size ( half, full) right now, based on current price of IJT? if you had to sell from my list of current equites, what order would you do it in - and would you sell any completely in exchange for IJT ?
cheers and happy holidays! Chris
Read Answer Asked by chris on December 21, 2023
Q: I have a full position in VOO in my TFSA that has done well with the recent rally but was originally a hedge that I no longer need in this account. Looking to move back to a growth-oriented position.

What would your top recommendations be for assets to high potential growth for the next 2 -5 years (excluding Tech as overweight there)?
With small caps having the potential to rise is there an ETF that would be skewed to this
Read Answer Asked by Ryan on December 21, 2023
Q: I am reading about the benefits of adding commodities to a portfolio (PIMCO /Ibbotson 2006 study). Low correlation with other assets, positive correlation to inflation, optimal allocation from 9 to 29%.

Any overarching comments on the pros and cons of commodities in a portfolio?

Can you recommend how a regular DYI investor might try to add exposure to this area?… an ETF? Any specific securities you recommend taking a closer look at? I don’t want to be buying pork belly contracts!

Lastly, suggestion on ranges of how much commodities should represent in a portfolio? A conservative investor would be X% while an an aggressive investor would be Y%.
Read Answer Asked by Simon on December 21, 2023
Q: This is more of a response to Stephen regarding his question about Zwc-I am also retired and purchased Zwc in the fall of 2017. I purchased the units around 19.50 when the tsx was around 16,500. Currently the units are close to 17.00 however the tsx is close to 21,000. My dividend paid since 2017 far out way the capital loss currently however I am speculating that over time the market will continue to rise as it has over the past many decades. Eventually I expect to get my capital back and perhaps a little more-no guarantees so I will keep my fingers crossed
Read Answer Asked by Bradley on December 20, 2023
Q: My daughter has opened her First time Home buyer Savings Account with the intent to wait 1 ½ to 2 years until she will be ready to purchase her first home. Do you have any ETF's you would like to suggest ?
Read Answer Asked by Gord on December 20, 2023
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