Investment Q&A

Q: Can you please recommend 5 US or Japanese ETFs that will have a revenue of about 10% or more annually, including dividends and capital appreciation, for a conservative investor?

Q: Need to increase U.S. and Internation equity exposures in my RRSP. Current exposures are mainly from VBAL (25% weight of RRSP) and a small position in XLU, ZWU and XGD. I am considering adding SPY for U.S. equities. What do you think about this option, and what would be a good entry point? Also, what would be a good addition to increase international equity (ETF or stocks)? Knowing that you cannot provide personal answers I appreciate very much your comments. Much Thanks

Q: I am underwhelmed with my health sector holdings - ABBV and IHI - both of which have been recently underperforming the market. I have held each for several years in a cash account and they are up 20% and 50%, respectively. I would appreciate your go forward recommendation on both, balancing future prospects, tax consequences and alternative (i.e. faster growing) investments in this sector. Hold or sell? And if sell, replace with what? Thank you.

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

What do you think about the Buffer ETFs offered by BMO? Are they suitable for a retired investor who wants some downside protection and is comfortable with limited returns in a strong market scenario? Are their AUMs adequate to consider a purchase? BMO has three such ETFs: ZAPR, ZJAN, and ZOCT. Or are there other 'better' ETFs that have lower MERs, as the three cited have rather hefty MERs?

Thanks as always for your insight.

Q: Dear 5i
I'm currently lacking in international stocks and ETF's and am overweight on Canadian investments .
Does the Canadian market look better right now or is now a good time to take the plunge and buy an international ETF such as VIU as a means to better balance the portfolio ?
Thanks
Bill C

Q: Peter,

In the recent ETF newsletter it mentions the numerator in the Free cash flow calculation is arrived at by subtracting operations cash flow from its capital expenditures. I don't believe this is correct. Should it not be subtract capital expenditures from total cash flow?

Thanks

Paul

Q: Is there an ETF somewhat similar to the two mentioned that I can buy on the TSX. I would like to purchase in Canadian dollars. Thank You.

Q: Currently this fund makes up approximately 21% of my portfolio and is my only diversified holding. It at 7.6% yield makes up 40% of my monthly income and pension makes up balance.The mer.is 1.05% and of course a good % of yield is roc. Would you suggest any better alternative or ? Thanks Larry

Q: On behalf of my kids I am about to begin to drawn down some RESP funds. My goal is to keep some invested but move to less volatile/risky investments. As part of that I want to keep 1-2 years worth of draw down as 'near cash' but in an interest bearing instrument within the self directed RESP. What are some suggestions that maximize the cash generated but minimize the volatility?

Q: Hi 5i
I have good gains on both of these ETFs and would appreciate your thoughts on sticking with them, reducing somewhat, or selling all. Both are near 52 week highs. Any seasonality to them? Any clues from the charts?
Thanks,
Greg

Q: My wife has been diagnosed with dementia and on a waiting list for LTC. I'm thinking of setting up her TFSA for monthly income to top up her government pensions.
Thinking of eit.un, zwu, zwe . Harvest and Horizon have higher yields but I am concerned about sustainability. Your thought please.
Thank you for your good works.

Q: Can I get your thoughts on this ETF.
I have recently seen a bit of a bounce on this stock and it seems to have broken out.
Thanks
Tony

Q: Some ETFs seem interesting but the market cap. is relatively low( 100-200 millions $).What is the risk to invest in those ETF and in such case, what mkt cap would you consider as "acceptable" in Canada or n the US ?

Q: If TD gets overly fined and drops the stock price will that have an effect on ZWB's price,? When that one American Bank died ZWK has still not recovered.

Q: Which of XIC or XIU would you recommend buying, and at what price pls?

Q: Hi,
I’m trying to help my friend organize her investments. She has minimal understanding of investments securities and had to move her pension to LIRA and RRSP 15 years and told Canada Life mutual funds that she was conservative profile. Fast forward 15 years her mutual funds have made her minimal money with back ended fees. The funds range in MERS from 1.6% to 2.5%. In looking at her holdings the portfolio make up is approximately
Fixed income - 22%, Balanced income %11, Cnd equity 62%, resources/specialty -2%. Retirement is still 10-15 years away. (Her husband has a pension)What ETF’s would match this asset mix to help get her started independently and move away from the high fees? I was thinking VBAL … But it is conservative. Any suggestions would be great to provide choice on where to invest her money. Please take as many credits as you want.
Thanks so much!
Kerri

Q: Hi, Is there a site giving the actual yield of all the HISA ETF’s? The distributions are already decreasing. I guess they are pretty similar, but they change monthly. PS: I do not think the dividend/yield on 5iResearch MarketData are up-to-date. Thanks.

Q: Could you please provide your thoughts on this relatively new ETF and comment on it's ability to maintain the relatively high monthly distributions without eroding the net asset value. Do they have a solid strategy?

Q: Could you share your thoughts on this ETF, how does it work? Do you think if it is a good long term investment? Thank you.

Q: What is your opinion of VUG vs SCHG? SCHG has a higher morningstar rating (5 stars) than VUG (4 stars). SCHG has lower MER, VUG has higher AUM. What do you think?