Investment Q&A

Q: For international (non-NA) exposure, please provide your current opinion about the IGRO ETF. Would you recommend this ETF? Do you see it as a complement holding for dividend-growing (but not high dividend seeking) investors who already own VIGI? Are there any other international ETFs which you would recommend in lieu of IGRO?

Many thanks for your excellent advice, and this wonderful service.

Q: looks like strong upside momentum will this continue in 2021?

Q: I have some funds in my daughters TFSA which I manage. It is for a two- three year hold. Do you have any recommendations of stocks or ETFs to buy at these current valuation levels irregardless of sector, probably more growth but good for this shorter time period? Thanks!

Q: Please comment on ETHE & QETH. Thanks.

Q: Helping my son with his investments which are as follows: MAW 106 24%,MAW 106 20%. VUS 21%, VEF 18%, VEE 8%, ZJG 6% and XQQ 3%.Feeling there is a bit of an overlap with some of these investments eg XQQ and VUS also with MAW 150 and VEF to a degree. Any advice is welcome ,stay as is , reduce holdings or increase some..He prefers ETF's and Mutual Funds (Mawer) and is a bit risk adverse but does realize markets go up and down though and is young( mid 30's ) enough to handle declines. ! Thanks.Paul

Q: Hi, I presently have the above U.S ETF's in a non reg corporate account. Total portfolio weighting is SPY - .45 / DVY - 4.03 / IWD - .84
I am overweight in financials.
What are your thoughts? Minimum of 5 year hold. Thanks so much.

Q: I am not well diversified into the US market.

I would like to sell some Canadian Banks and put that capital into US equities.

I would like to consider an ETF or a mix of ETFs.

I would like to stick to my investment personality,
long term hold, would not need money for well over 10 years.
Large Cap, Blue Chip dividend paying and "dividend GROWING" equities.

1. Can you make a recommendation for a low cost / mer etf.
2. Do I need more than one ?
3. Should I buy this in Canadian or US funds ?
4. What are the pros and cons of the purchase in Canadian or US dollars

thanks

Ernie

Q: Setting up an 40K RRSP with a 6 to 10 year time frame. What is your opinion and/or alternatives to ZEB, VXC, ZDV, XBB in equal proportions.

Q: Hi, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!

Q: Hi - Can you please suggest some Canadian ETFs? Already own a few including COW (just bought), ZAG, XWD and XHB.

Thanks,

Q: I asked a question on Dec 30 about dual listed bond etfs (that I accidently set to private). What do you think of this etf from BMO? I currently hold ZFM.

My thinking is that it's easer to rebalance into US ETFs with dual listed funds.
Thanks

Q: Did you ever hear anything more regarding the ZRE 1.048:1 stock issue? I just checked the "holding" status and activity on ZRE in my RBC Direct Investing account. The number of shares hasn't changed at all and I don't believe the ACB has changed either. There was a note posted by RBC that the ZRE 1.048:1 issue was taken care of effective Dec 29/20, so I thought I'd give it a week or so to see if anything showed up before calling them. Check with you first.
Thanks...Steve

Q: Can you please advise FGGE & DXG ETF. Are these overlap. Is it ok to own both? If I want to buy one ETF only which one would you recommend.

Thanks for the great service

Q: Hi Team,
A belated Happy New Year.
Would you please suggest some US$ based as well C$ based ETFs with a focus in AI and renewable energies.
Cheers,

Q: With Democrats in complete control, could you suggest a few good China and emerging market ETF's? Thanks.

Q: Hi the great 5i team, can you explain the cost of buying and selling ETF? Where does MER come in the picture? What is the difference between trading stocks and ETF?Thanks.

Q: What your comments about the recent bitcoin bull run. Would you consider adding QBTC to one of your portfolios?

Q: Good morning - I was reading an interesting GS report which is calling for a structural bull market for commodities, starting in 2021. Let's say GS is correct. Assuming that, what would you suggest for a Canadian investor, both at home and in the US. Also, is there an ETF or two that you would suggest to address this assumed trend. Finally, do you think GS is on or off target here?
Thanks

al

Q: Hi Team,

Like many I am trying to figure out what to do with cash on hand with interest rates near zero. I am trying to generate income while managing risk/volatility for this "low risk" part of my portfolio.

After some research I have come up with what may be three "best of breed" places to put some cash to work: REITs (e.g., RIT), preferred shares (e.g., HPR) and real return bonds (e.g., XRB).

What are your overall thoughts please on these securities at this time? Do you see any better alternatives in this market and interest rate cycle? What are the main downside risks you see for each security? Would you consider blue chip, high yield common shares more attractive or is there a diversification benefit here?

(Please deduct as many credits as appropriate for this compound question.)

Thank you so much, Michael

Q: Happy New Year 5i team - I was reading about the iShares Global Green Bond ETF (BGRN on Nasdaq) in today's Globe. I would appreciate your thoughts on this fixed income fund. I have avoided bonds in my portfolio and have opted to hold cash in a high interest savings account for flexibility. I'm retired and am wondering whether this may be a good and relatively safe way to hold one to two years of living expenses, while at the same time generating some income. Thanks for all your good advice over the past several years.