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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: For European blue chip exposure with attractive yield, CDN domiciled, for an income account, is ZWP the only/best option or are there alternative on the CDN exchange.

Looking for an etf with close to 1b in assets, with blue chip holdings, a minimum 3% yield to compliment a long term retirement income account
Read Answer Asked by Harry on March 02, 2022
Q: Yesterday (Tuesday) I placed a bid to purchase KRBN at $41 that was filled at 3:47PM. Looking at the daily trading chart on any site shows that a big block trade went through right around then, but for the entire last 30 minutes of trading the price never seemed to stray outside of $42.25-$42.85. My order was for several even lots. I would just like to try and understand the trading that goes on behind what appears to be visible such that my buy could fill at a price of $41?

In addition, I am struggling with how to categorize this holding within my investment portfolio. As a “non-tangible” commodity would you consider it within the energy sector? Materials? US or International? Your thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by Steven on March 02, 2022
Q: Hi,

I have no materials in my portfolio although lots of oil. Can u recommend two US and two CDN ETFs OR companies that you think should do well without too much volatility?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on March 01, 2022
Q: Hi 5i, what do you think of all the offerings of Starlight Capital, Toronto please?
Read Answer Asked by Ron on March 01, 2022
Q: I have a small position in each of the above listed ETFs. I believe one must be invested in more than just North America but, I am concerned with the Geopolitical situation in Russia (re Ukraine) and China (re Taiwan). Additionally, these ETFs have been down lately and I'm thinking of selling them. What percentage of each ETF is invested in Russia/China? What would you recommend to replace these ETFs in order to exclude or have minimal exposure to Russia/China?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Sean on March 01, 2022
Q: Retired, dividend-income investor.

I just flushed a legacy mutual fund that was planned to be merged into a different MF. I didn't like the new MF asset allocation. I plan to top up some of my existing ETFs and stock holdings to my maximum comfort level re: asset allocation, then (if needed) add an additional ETF to complement the portfolio.

Q#1 = I own CDZ and ZLB. For a conservative, long term, core ETF what guideline would you use for maximum asset allocation? I currently am at 7-8% each for the equity portion of my portfolio.. Is it reasonable to stretch this to 10% each? When I look at the top 10 holdings in CDZ and ZLB, there is no overlap at all.

Q#2 = I also own LIFE and ZWC, both covered call ETFs...total exposure is 11% of my equities. What maximum exposure to CC would you recommed? I seem to recall a question a while back that you suggested 10 or 15% was reasonable.

Q#3 = depending on your above answers, I may need an additional ETF with the following attributes for a long term holding = conservative, dividend >3%, Canadian holdings (ok to have some foreign). holdings should hit as many of the 11 sectors as possible and if possible, little overlap with the top 10 contained in CDZ or ZLB.

Thanks for your help...much appreciated...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 01, 2022
Q: Hello I’ve been watching what has been going on in our world and it is terrifying and heartbreaking
Would you have a few cyber security stocks we could add to our portfolio and stocks that you would be looking at in these times
Thank you and take care
Read Answer Asked by Marla on March 01, 2022
Q: Are you aware if there are mounting pressures on ETF providers (Vanguard, Black Rock, etc...) to exit the Russian equity markets? I own VEE, VXC and VEQT for my international exposure, and realized I own about 1500$ worth of Russian stocks. I am not morally confortable anymore with that exposure even though it's a very small weighting. I would gladly write it off of my portfolio... I know this is personal to every investor and that's OK, but some principles come before returns for me...
If it's unlikely Vanguard would make any move towards ETF ex-Russia, I am seriously thinking of selling all (fortunately my exposure is mostly in registered accounts) and buying international alternatives.

What ETFs would you then suggest to get similar international exposure ex-Russia?

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Julien on March 01, 2022
Q: I have invested in both of these ETFs, one being in CAD, the other in USD.
On Thursday, the value of the CAD version was $16.03; the value of the USD version was 16.62.
This difference in value does not adequately address the current exchange rate of about 1.28.
It seems that the US version is underpriced and that the CAD version is much better value. Could you please explain why there is this discrepancy?
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Catherine on March 01, 2022
Q: Context: Sold CNQ after a long run up. Funds now to deploy into a locked in RSP about to be unlocked into an income stream. Currently have all blue chip dividend payers and am looking to offset risk by initiating a bond position. Looking for:
-CDN domiciled etf with NA and/or Global focus
-3% minimum yield
-High grade but willing to accept corporates for yield
-Prefer shorter term to maturity, to match future rate increases
-If not CDN domiciled, willing to look at US and willing to look at more than one to match criteria

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Harry on February 28, 2022