Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,
What's your best choice for an ETF to park some money in a safe place that will get better returns than a high interest savings account. Previously I had some in the ETF CASH but I understand that some governmental changes have resulted in these types of ETFs delivering lower return than previously.
Thanks!
Murray

Q: Can I get your thought on DLR/DLR.U vs. SGOV or BIL for parking $300K in US cash for a 4 months period? The yields are very close and additional consideration for DLR/DLR.U is that the distributions are paid every 3 months, so the holdings can be sold prior to ex-dividend date to get capital gains instead of income.

Q: Hi,

1) Is there an advantage to holding PHYS:CA vs. PHYS:US? How do they stack up with currency fluctuations?

2) Is there any risk with PHYS:US trading on a US exchange if the US goes crazy about Canadians investing in the US? Would it be better to hold PHYS:CA?

Thanks for the help. Michael

Q: What is the best way to invest in gold?

Q: In your answer to a previous question you suggested Gold was a good place to protect from inflation and the general crazy going on with Trump and Tariffs.
Can you suggest an ETF. I really don’t want to hold producers

Q: Hello Team, I am currently sitting on cash in my FHSA, I would most likely be looking to use these funds in the next 5 years. What is your recommendation?

Q: Based on the current market situation, what level of cash would be apropriate to have ?, and if wait and see it is the best approach now , what is the best parking place for cash ?

Q: Hi,

This is my first question so I hope I am doing it right.

I recently transferred a small pension to a LIRA because of the amount time before retirement (20+ years). I feel like 70% VGRO because of it's holding diversity and with 30% VFV to raise my risk but not all the way to a VEQT risk. Is this a responsible train of thought?

Also, do you recommend a dividend ETF as well because reinvesting dividends the only way I would be able to farther contribute to a LIRA or is that even necessary?

Q: Looking for a place to park a large part (500k) of a 90 year olds networth not wanting any income but hopefully a capitol gain even or better with the rate of inflation at the time of selling.

Q: Thinking about starting a position in ZWE for exposure to Europe. Your thoughts on timing and the fund would be appreciated.
Thanks Steve

Q: Hi, I want to park some USD in a US bond ETF that is super safe. Right now I have it in RBC RBF2014 and it is getting 3.9%. If I could get a better rate and it is really safe could you recommend something better?

Q: Thanks for your advice on greater than 10% covered call ETF's in a Trump tariff world .... Of the ones you { and the one I chose HPYT } I am leaning toward a combination of HBND and HPYT for bonds. UMAX for a non volatile stock ETF, and XYLD for US exposure .....

However I am not well versed on bonds . Could you explain the differences between the two ETF's ? I have noticed that they peaked in mid September and declined since. HPYT has declined by 10.65% and HBND by 12.66% ..... What market conditions account for the price action between September and now ? I have no idea what bond durations are or what the significance of a " long " bond is but I am curious why HBND has had the bigger decline of the two ? ..... If HPYT is the less volatile of the two I'm inclined to go for the juicier dividend ..... Please explain the differences between the two ETF's and what circumstances will effect one over the other ? ..... I'm inclined to make my bond ETF purchases now and my stock ETF purchases after the tariff announcements . Would you endorse this strategy ?

Also UMAX isn't really a utility ETF . It is Communication Services 23.2%, Pipelines 22.0%, Industrials 23.6%, and, Utilities 31.2% ..... Is this something I should consider ? Or do you still put it in a defensive category with a minimum of volatility potential ? ......{ I like the juicy 14% dividend but unsure how 5i evaluates it in a Trump tariff world } ..... Thanks for your terrific service ......

Q: I am looking to offset some equity risk with fixed incomes or proxies of the same that ideally have some capital gains potential. Could you please comment on the risk level of some of these bond proxies, as well as preferred shares, from a risk perspective?
Irrespective of whether we have tariffs coming it is difficult to say that the unpredictability will stop.

Q: Can you recommend an ETF for a TFSA with a 5-10 year horizon?

Q: If one was unsure of the current environment does something like FTLS make sense? Are there other more attractive Long/Short ETFs? Thank-you.

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I'm looking for an ETF that would be similar to VE, to invest in Europe, that I could purchase with US funds in an RRSP. I would like the dividend/payout to be at least as high as VE. I might even prefer an ETF with top quality companies in Europe (e.g., top 50, or 100) with a tilt towards industrials/consumer disc/staples, if something like that exists with a decent payout? I'm already overweight in financials and US tech.

I'd appreciate any ideas you might have.

Thank you,
Lisa

Q: how safe is HDIV in a recession? It uses leverage but also has covered calls to make income.

Q: What is your top Canadian REIT ETF?

What is your top Canadian preferred shares ETF?

Is this is a good time to add these to a portfolio?

Q: Can you recommend 2 or 3 Canadian and US bond ETF's (or any other fixed income) that have higher yields (5+%)?

Q: Hi there. With the recent uncertainty in the markets, what is your opinion on HYLD.CA?
Does it make sense to be more diversified when deploying new money in this current environment and have a larger amount of investable capital in ETF type funds that pay higher yields- as opposed to individual names? Do you see the Canadian dollar gaining some strength as we head further into 2025?

Thank-you as always!