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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: Hello Peter and Team,

Is there a smart way to hold investments denominated in Swiss Francs that generate yield?

The goal is to diversify some funds to currency in a stable country that isn't printing money unabated like in Canada, the US, and the Euro to avoid loss of purchasing power. Even better if we can be invested in decent stocks or get dividend yield while we are at it.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Marc on January 21, 2022
Q: Hello Peter,
For an RESP today and future contributions with focus on Canada and USA, I was thinking of allocating more monies to indexes such as xic and xsp and less to sectors such as xfn or zeb , and xit. What are your thoughts? Also, i noticed that xsp has not done as well as SPY. i am assuming it is do to currency. In an RESP, I would think xsp on toronto and SPY on NYSE, both have withholding taxes.. Please comment. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by umedali on January 20, 2022
Q: I notice that XQQ does not seem to have the same performance as compared to ZNQ and HXQ over the last week, month and 3 months according to Globe and Mail.

XQQ seems to track the NASDAQ or QQQ "better" .

Can you help me understand this please.
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on January 20, 2022
Q: Good morning,

With demand continuing to outpace the supply and availability of semi conductors around the world with no end in sight, would this be good time to add a small position of a Semi Conductor ETF in my US$ Non Registered portfolio as part of my overall Technology sector weighing and if so, which of the two ETFs (XSD and SMH) would you recommend?
Thank you for your thoughts on this.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on January 19, 2022
Q: I have a relatively heavy weighting in oil at over 10%, about a 3% weighting in gold and 1% in uranium. Otherwise don't have other commodities.
Fortunately have been able to start taking some profits in oil and will continue to do so if keeps rising.
What is the expectation for other commodities in general over the next few years (though I know you don't have a crystal ball)?
For a conservative investor, what stocks or ETFs would you recommend to provide a diversification into other commodities - my thinking is about a 3% weighting in these. Would prefer to avoid coal if possible.
Take as many credits as needed.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Tulio on January 19, 2022
Q: Hello Peter,
With rising rates, it seems that banks, commodities and industrials do well. Can you please suggest some etfs in Canada that would take advantage of those sectors? For the banks, i am thinking xfn and zeb but unsure of the others. Also, the US banks are taking small hits. Do you think canadian banks will follow suit or are they very different? Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by umedali on January 19, 2022
Q: Peter et al:
Would you kindly give me an opinion on this etf, including mer and some better alternatives. It is at an all time high so maybe I am late to the rotation. Maybe the other side of the equation IWO would be better to watch and buy when it goes lower.
Thanks,
BEN.
Read Answer Asked by BEN on January 18, 2022
Q: Historically small cap index fund outperforms S&P500, but last couple years small-cap lags, I am thinking it might be a good time now to start to invest in samll caps...do you think this logic is justified? If so, which small cap etf do you suggest? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by David on January 18, 2022
Q: Hi Team I have not invested in Bitcoin but I am interested in BITI as a hedge as I see Bitcoin falling off and suspect it may the winner on a race to the bottom. I placed a small order and was flagged that there may be MER charges. So 2 questions. Is an inverse Bitcoin pure speculation or a plausible hedge. Are MER charges on ETF's normal? I would also like your recommendations on hedges that may be soflen a downturn....up to 3 questions now!
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 18, 2022
Q: I have been a holder of this ETF for many years. It has done well. However, I note the recent sell off is quite violent. There was a previous correction early fall last year and, of course, it fell with the market in spring 2020. But this recent selling is somewhat unsettling given that I cannot understand what may be the reason, if any, for it. I can’t see how interest rates or any of the plethora of current concerns could affect a water based etf so significantly.
Your advise as to your thoughts on the recent weakness would be much appreciated. I am thinking that if there is no apparent reason for the draw down, given the etf performance history, this may be a good time to add.
Thank you
Neil
Read Answer Asked by Neil on January 18, 2022
Q: I'm looking to add a US Equity ETF that trades in Canada for a non-registered account with a 1-3 years hold. I like the profile of VTV (.04% MER, low volatility, holds large US value companies with $95 billion total assets, pays a high yield 2.15%). I'm unable to find anything that trades in Canadian dollars that fits that same profile. What would you suggest? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Richard on January 18, 2022
Q: Can you say which of VEE and XSEM you prefer and why? I recognize one is ESG and the other not, but I'm mostly interested in financial considerations for this question.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on January 18, 2022
Q: Hello 5i,
Thank you for your excekkent service and advice.It appears that 5i does not have concerns about holding SDIV for revenue. As a 76 year value investor with emphasis on dividends, some growth (LSPD, LNF) for the next ten years are there any caveats to buying this at about $12.62? I realize that there is little growth with a history of returns much less than peers but with much higher dividends.
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on January 18, 2022
Q: Can you recommend Canadian based etfs that tracks American banks and/or insurance companies. Which would you recommend? Any with covered calls? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on January 18, 2022
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