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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: Peter,

I look at the S & P 500 index as the gold standard for performance measurement. It has been my theory that any portfolio performance should be compared to this index first. Do you agree?

For diversification purposes please list your top 5 indexes & associated ETF codes that you feel would be relevant whenever looking at an equity portfolio. This can be anywhere in the world. { Fixed Income I strictly take a ladder approach.} I would be interested in ones with a lower correlation , if that is realistic. It may not be.

Thank you

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on May 11, 2022
Q: Hi Peter
I have read alternative investments as a way diversify the portfolio beyond stocks and bonds.
There appears to be many types of alternative investments and complicated too.
If one were to invest in alternative investments, do you have any recommendations on how to approach such investments?
Are there any ETFs in this space that simplifies the investment approach?
My purpose is for income with a bit of ongoing growth.
Read Answer Asked by Greyhair on May 11, 2022
Q: For the income investor, would you be buying CVD right now as it hits some lows, or would you wait as it could continue to go down? What do you think is a good entry point? Or are there better options out there for the same type of dividend? And do I get the dividend tax credit in a non registered account? Thanks so much, your services are much appreciated in times like these.
Read Answer Asked by Pat on May 10, 2022
Q: Hello 5i Team,

We recently settled my parents estate and the 3 sons (me included) received a fairly large transfer in the form of 5 ETFs including ZAG (9%), XEF (11%), XUS (3%), XIC (13%) and VFV (12%). This now represents almost half of the total portfolio whereas the remainder is invested in diverse stocks and some other ETFs mostly on your advice. I think you like ZAG for bonds but I’d like to ask if any of the other ETFs seem problematic to you or would you switch any with a similar focus? We also own some XQQ, WXM, IWO and VUN (all at about 2% each). Looking to retire in 10-15 years and with a pretty good risk tolerance.

Thank you for your help!

John

Read Answer Asked by John on May 10, 2022
Q: What do you think of the Bloomberg commodity index going back to 2005, very big move off of the low. Commodity Cycles are very long lived are they not? Can go on for many years. They have been outperforming Global Equities for awhile now, do you see this continuing for the next 5 years?
What would your best way to participate in this shift.?
Thanks! Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on May 10, 2022
Q: Stock picking is getting too challenging!
Slowly shifting to broader ETFs. Eg utilities, energy, banks.,
Now looking more broadly at the TSX, NASDAQ, Dow and TSX.
Long term it seems that even among the professionals it is tough to beat the indexes.
Hence my shifting strategy.

Are these indexes revamped periodically?
If yes, how is it done. How often. Criteria?

Would this be the main reason for beating most of the pros?

As usual thanks for your help

Read Answer Asked by Donald on May 10, 2022
Q: Hi team. I have ~$15k for my TFSA and was wondering about SYZ and FIE for tax free income. I’m down quite a bit with SYZ in other RSP accounts but was wondering if it might be an opportunity now while waiting for some growth in the future. FIE has been good to me and the coupon is roughly the same as SYZ. Hate to be a dividend chaser. Should I buy now or buy something else? Appreciate your thoughts. Bill
Read Answer Asked by William on May 09, 2022
Q: What are your thoughts on Carbon Capture ETF from Ninpoint for the long term >5 yrs? Do you think it would serve as a portfolio diversified? Or do you think the market would disappear if the conservatives gain power?
Read Answer Asked by Steven on May 09, 2022
Q: Hello

Regarding VRIF, I saw a YouTube recently that said that the 4 percent payout will remain constant and that if each unit drops below $25, Vanguard will reduce the monthly payout. Does that make sense? I am somewhat mathematically challenged but from what I understand, if I buy an ETF at a lower price today, I will earn a higher percent payout than if I bought it at a higher price. I'd appreciate your input regarding VRIFs payout.

Thanks

Lynn
Read Answer Asked by Lynn on May 05, 2022
Q: I inherited the following:McKenzie Strategic Income Fund;McKenzie Strategic Income Ser.A;Invesco Strategic Yield Fund;BMO Income ETF Portfolio;BMO Concentrated Global Balanced Fund.Are these suitable investments in the present rising rate,volatile environment and where applicable, are there ETF's
that mimic these funds?Thanks for your assistance in helping me sort these out. Maurice.
Read Answer Asked by Maurice on May 05, 2022
Q: 5iteam: Retired income seeking investor that anckored my portfolio with VRIF for reasonable stability with a 4% yield. I am down currently 8% and maybe counting. Can you give me your perspective on what and why with a 50/50 split to stocks and bonds performance has suffered? Would you consider it a good hold for my needs or suggest another prospect with more potential and security worth tacking a loss for the switch? As usual much appreciated Larry
Read Answer Asked by Larry on May 03, 2022
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