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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: I would like to invest using only 4 ETFs. One for short bonds, one for all Canadian stocks, one for emerging markets, one for the whole US market, and one for the developed world (as wide as possible) excluding Canada and the US.

Which ETFs should I use?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Federico on July 19, 2021
Q: In my balanced cash account I hold CBH as the fixed income portion and while I thought the laddered approach would be beneficial, it has not performed well over the past years. After reading about Real Bond ETF's, I am wondering if I should replace my CBH with a real bond ETF (either XRB or ZRR) for the next few years. What do you think of that strategy? FYI, I also hold XBB in my RSP.
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on July 16, 2021
Q: My wife and I are in our mid-late 70's and only have investments in RRIFs.

We don't have any stocks in the materials sector and I would like to add something that has either solid growth potential or pays a dividend to add a bit more balance. I once invested in gold (BTO) and didn't do well, so I'm not particularly interested in that unless it meets the criteria above.

I am, however open to all suggestions. I have 6% space to allocate to your recommendations, so please advise accordingly.
Read Answer Asked by John on July 16, 2021
Q: I recently cashed out of IWO (nearly doubled) but in violation of your rule against selling anything just because the price is too high. It is now a bit below where I sold. Wondering if I should go back in, wait for a stabilized rising trend, or pick something similar (SPY?) that you like better for 2-3 year hold? Thanks Jim
Read Answer Asked by jim on July 16, 2021
Q: My question has to do with technical indicators that may signal bearishness. In particular, I'm looking at the "unusual short interest" in the mentioned ETFs. Some popular "influencers" indicate they hedge when a market turns downwards by shorting these ETFs. This, the logic goes, is a way to protect the downside without liquidating high growth holdings.

Right now, my intution is that there is a "de-risking" going on in the markets (away from high growth and speculative cyclicals to blue chips and large cap tech).

My questions: Do you see unusual short activity going on in these ETFs, is it a fair indicator of broader bearishness, and do you think the strategy of hedging by temporarily shorting these ETFs is sound?
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on July 14, 2021
Q: you recently suggested soxq as a reasonable investment in the semi space.
I looked at their listing and noticed that they are currently averaging less than 30,000 daily transactions. As you mentioned, their charges for both the balance of the year(zero) and only .17 points for the future seem to make this an attractive etf to invest in. Does the low amount of daily transactions affect your outlook.
Ed in Montreal
Read Answer Asked by ed on July 13, 2021
Q: If a person was looking for income only with a lesser amount of capital gains what are your thoughts on these candidates for 20 % of an overall portfolio ?
Read Answer Asked by STEVE on July 13, 2021
Q: I do not have technology shares in my RRSP. I'm well covered in energy, financials, utilities, transportation, tel coms and an ETF US equities. There are quite a few techno companies out there. For a long term investment, any suggestions and why.
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on July 13, 2021
Q: Dear 5i,

can you please suggest an alternative ETF from ZID that has same as or better price performance. The ETF can be listed on either US or CDN exchange.

thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ian on July 13, 2021
Q: What would be your top 2 -3 picks of ETF's to buy now and hold them in Canadian Margin Account that will not need to be reported on T 3511.

thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Andrzej on July 13, 2021
Q: With regard to any ETF, do you prefer CAD hedged or not?
Read Answer Asked by Brenda on July 13, 2021
Q: Markets at Record Highs . Corrections happen. Is it wise to hold a portion of your portfolio 10 % in investments like HUV or VXX that go up when the market falls. These react with the VIX moving up. RAK
Read Answer Asked by bob on July 12, 2021
Q: Good afternoon,

Could you please pass along on how best to take advantage of rising copper prices both using an equity( s) and etf.
Same question as it applies to the semi conductor space.
Please feel free to deduct 2 credits as I have posed 2 questions.

Thank you,
Brad

thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Brad on July 12, 2021
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