Investment Q&A

Q: Good morning,
I own a small house in Ottawa that is free and clear with a current market value of approximately $350,000.
A recent discussion with my trusted mortgage broker confirmed that a 5 year term (Closed & Fixed) term mortgage can be obtained at a rate of 2.29%. This mortgage is said to be:
a. insured through CMHC,
b. portable, and
c. transferable.
At that rate of 2.29% and given that the interest paid would be tax deductible if I use the funds for investment purposes, I'm seriously considering borrowing around $200,000 and investing this amount for an initial 5 year period with an expected net rate of return on investment of 4.5% .
Q1. With $200,000, what are your thoughts of splitting this amount in 5 different chunks of $40K in the following instruments:
a. Mawer Tax Effective Balanced Fund,
b. Mawer Global Balanced ETF Fund,
c. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio,
d. IShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio, and
e. BMO Balanced ETF

Q2. As an alternative to the above and given the 5 year time frame, would your preference be to invest the $200,000 in a selection of best in class individual stocks split between different sectors and if so, would you be so kind as to provide me with ya listing of your best ideas at this time.

I thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on both of these investment strategies.
Francesco

Q: I'm interested in the idea of green/sustainable agriculture as a theme moving forward. Any stocks or ETFs that could fit the bill? Thanks

Q: My sons company is using rbc as their rrsp provider for their employees. Would you be able to recommend one canadian, one us and one international ETFs or mutual funds that rbc provides? These will be long term holds. Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter/Ryan, my 20 year old son wants to get into Vanguard ETF's. He has a TFSA stock account and now wants to add a Vanguard ETF. What is your opinion of Vanguard and is there one you would recommend. Thanks, Nick

Q: Hello -
Over the first decade this century emerging markets seemed to do relatively well. Over the last 10 years or so, it appears that relative performance has been much better in the U.S.

Do you believe Emerging Markets represent good value compared to the U.S.? For instance, VWO has a PE ratio of 13, ERUS is about 7, whereas I think the U.S. is somewhere around 18 - you can correct me if I'm wrong. How much affect does a strong USD play in this recent past 10-year performance? Assuming we see a weakening USD, would that be the trigger point for the two mentioned ETF's to outperform the U.S. indices? Obviously stronger oil prices would also likely help ERUS.

What affect would this also have on BNS with it's exposure to Latin America? It's been the weak sister among the big Canadian banks. Would a weaker USD then give the BNS stock price a boost as a result?

Q: Hi,

What's your thoughts on stepping into CPD at this juncture for income, long term.

Thanks

Q: Hi, my question concerns slow repositioning of an actual 100 % dividend etf and stocks portfolio , for long term and retirement . Concerning the fact that various economical factors are now present for a future inflation (and then future interest raise in maybe 2 or 3 years ?): 1) what sectors will be safer, or even stay "safe" for dividends 2) what category of bond etf could be added to this portfolio , if indicated ? Many thanks ! JY

Q: 5i, In my RRSP I have some cash, and not sure if I should go with XQQ or QQQ, will you please explain pros/cons and advantages or not, also I' m open to other suggestions.
Thank you!

Q: Hello 5i,
I'm considering swapping xiu for xqq inside my RRSP, would you consider at this time a good move, pros/cons I need to be aware of?
Thanks
f

Q: A few weeks ago you recommended using Hedged C$ ETFs as you suggested the Canadian$ was likely to appreciate in the short-term. And it did. Do you still feel this way or has the Canadian$ gone up as far it as it can and will level off from here. THX

Q: Your thoughts please on. EWZ.US
Thanks again

Q: The most current ETF Model Portfolio list is dated Jan 9 /2020 on your site. Is there a more up to date list or is that your current recommends.
Thanks
Gil

Q: What would be a good technology etf for the very long term other than QQQ???
Many thanks

Q: Are there any recommendations you may have for good alternative investment ETF's or Mutual Funds that a retiree can use to enhance income with some capital appreciation. (note: Stable income is the most important consideration.) Also what percentage allocation do you typically suggest for a portfolio.

Thank you.

Q: Need income, Like to convert from equity to ETF's with a dividend of 5-7% for the next 10-12 years ...15 Etf's... 5Can.5 US and 5 International. or close to that. Cover call ETF's OK, Dividend Growth always good. Leaning towards income first.
Many thanks for your excellent service.
Cec

Q: I have owned Russel 2000 Growth, as per your model growth fund for several years and over the long haul it has been a good performer. Thanks so much as usual!

I have recently read a couple of different articles referencing the potential for small cap value to perhaps outperform the market over the coming period of economic growth (ever the optimist). In particular, Simon Consable's article yesterday in the Wall Street Journal "Small ‘Value’ Stocks Are Down but Not Out" These stocks are still amongst the markets biggest losers year to date. What are your thoughts on this hypothesis and would adding the Russell 2000 value be a reasonable way to play this? Are there any individual stocks that you currently like that would fit this thought that are yet to rally?

As always, thanks for the great advise and service,

John

Q: Goodmorning
Could you suggest 2 ETF for the following
TSX
DJIA
S&P
Nasdaq

Thks
Marse

Q: What are your thoughts on the online retail space for long term investment? Found a few ETFs: IBUY, ONLN, XBUY

Thanks

Q: Your reply to my June 8 question states "We might swap ZWH to ZWS as we prefer to go unhedged for forex return diversification." Isn't ZWH the unhedged version and ZWS the hedged?

Q: Any reason not to sell xhc and buy life. I want stability but income is very important. Thanks, J