Investment Q&A

Q: I am looking to park some cash for a while but have it relatively easily accessible. I understand that these ETF’s are not CDIC insurable but other than that what is the downside/risk of these ETFs and which one would you consider the best? Also I noticed that these etf’s are trading above their set value…$50.14. Under what circumstances would they trade back to their $50.00 value?

Q: Hello 5i
Many thanks for your continuing excellent weekly observations and advice.

In my RRIF, TFSA and Unregistered accounts some of the larger holdings are US companies (GOOG, MSFT, etc). I am concerned that upon my passing some or all of these US stocks may be vulnerable to US Estate Tax.
I know that there are various tax treaties between the US and Canada that might impact some or all of these holdings, but I am unclear on the details.
Can you tell me if either or both the TFSA and RRIF are exempt?
Can you provide references that would cover these questions?
Can you recommend CANADIAN-based ETFs that hold Mag. 7 and/or other popular US stocks?
Thanks again.

Q: Hi 5i,

May I have your current take on this ETF?

Thank you

Q: In a recent answer your wrote HXS we like but many investors do not understand the swap/derivatives so we often mention it after other ETFs. I agree, I did an internet search to try to understand the swap/derivatives procedure, but am still confused. I understand the tax advantages of HXS held in a non-registered account, but if VFV was held in a RRSP is it not better to receive VFV capital gains PLUS dividends then just HXS capital gains & No dividends. For both VFV & HXS track the same S&P 500 Index, so their performance should be the same, less different MER charges. Thanks … Cal

Q: What are your initial thoughts on the new spot bitcoin etas?

Thanks for the service.

Q: I'm curious as to why you recommend VFV as it is my understanding that it is a Canadian ETF invested in a US S&P 500 ETF which has double taxation in a RRSP and doesn't seemed to be taxed favorably in a TFSA or non registered account either. Wouldn't be better to buy ZSP which invests directly in the S&P stocks or HXS which has a higher fee but no dividend to trigger withholding tax?

Q: Hi. After reading your ETF newsletter, I was considering this ETF as a good way to buy into many of the larger companies that are higher performers on the US market. I already have a full market ETF. What is your opinion?

Q: In a recent answer comparing the 2 ETFs, VFV & HXS, you said HXS does not pay any distribution. Does that mean it is like DRIP, instead of a dividend payment, your share holdings increase every quarter. Thanks … Cal

Q: Good morning,

I currently hold VIG ETF in my Non Registered US$ account and VGG in my Non Registered Cdn$ account. Both of these ETFs have the same holdings but the VIG appears to be cheaper in terms of MER and perhaps more tax efficient if held in a RRSP.

Given that both VIG and VGG hold the same holdings and taxation not a consideration, I was thinking of selling the VGG ETF and purchasing some additional VIG ETF.

However, I just stumbled across another ETF (DGRW ETF) that I would appreciate your thoughts on as a potential replacement for VIG ETF. Although a bit more expensive in terms of MER, the annual performance over the last 10 years appears to be much better.


Thank you and I'll await your response.

Francesco

Q: What would be your top 4 CAD ETF picks for longer term growth?

Q: HXS has has a management fee of .10 but as they state this does not include a swap fee of approximately 30 bps. Is the actual management fee .40? Is the swap fee related to the total return nature of this ETF? I’m looking for an S&P ETF to hold in my TFSA and HXS seems like a great option as I wouldn’t be subject to withholding taxes. Do you feel HXS is a better choice then VFV for a 10+ year hold inside a TFSA due to the savings on withholding taxes?

Q: Which sector will perform the best in 2024 ? Based on this answer , which fund should be purchased among the ones mentioned (or a fund representing another sector not mentioned in my question) ?

Q: If one was to anchor their RRSP portfolio with VBAL which is a 60 equity/40 fixed income split, but would like to be more 70/30. Would you add another ETF or two to achieve the desired weightings? Does this strategy make sense? What would be Five i's thoughts and suggestions.

Thank you

Q: It looks like, regardless of oil price movements or direction of the market, XEG only goes down. I am currently down 15% on XEG and wondering if there is any hope for oil sector in Canada? Would you keep this ETF/sector for 1-3 years timeframe, or get rid of oil sector entirely and relocate money to some other sectors?

Q: Can you recommend 3 US ETFs for a long-term hold.

Thanks as always.

Q: FID5973 has spun off an ETF version FINN.
Compare owning FINN to QQQ/QQQM and FINN to a basket of stocks held within the ETF - What do you prefer for long term investor wants.

Q: Dear 5i team.
As I read through the recent Q's on the merits of owning laddered bond funds vs long bond funds (CLF/CBO vs XBB/XLB) couple of f/ups for you. Assuming rates have peaked, and downward is the consensus:
1) What is the upside for CLF vs XLB for example. How much of a move in bond prices would you estimate for each 50 BP move? (can you do same exercise assuming rates move higher?)
2) Since you like both XBB/XLB for long bond exposure, can both be owned, or should one be sufficient?

Many thanks for your help to understand the risk/reward here.

Q: I was interested in buying CHAT however I never heard about the ETF company. How would you rank https://www.roundhillinvestments.com)

Is there any similar ETF like Chat?

Thanks for the great service your team has provided.

Q: Can you explain the product from Purpose ETF (ticker APLY) in the link below. Seems to be an ETF which owns Apple shares and somehow gives you yield with a call strategy as you hold. What is downside risk ? What is upside ?

Does anyone just hold shares anymore ? The financial wizardry with these ETFs seems like it will all blow up at some point just like CDOs in 2009.

https://www.purposeinvest.com/funds/apple-yield-shares-purpose-etf?utm_campaign=apple&utm_source=bnn&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=takeover

Thomas

Q: Given the Jan. 31 regulatory changes, is there any risk to buying cash, psa, etc. now as opposed to later? Thanks.