Investment Q&A

Q: Having been horribly burned by investments in oil and gas companies , I have been much too shy to even glance at any (scared is a more honest word, but shy is more polite— and sounds better). Since energy is a sector that is too stubborn to exit markets, please suggest an ETF that would cover the pesky allocation thing. I would prefer , if possible , companies that are primarily refining and distribution , not so much exploration. Also prefer US or Euro listed ETFs.

If you think one decent energy company would likely be better than the diluted results ETFs give, please suggest two names that would be one can buy and just forget— company listed in Canada or anywhere I developed Europe.

Q: I owned 1000 shares of dgro us dividend
And 1000 shares of schd should I add more on both
Thanks for your ad advise
Ben

Q: I sent a question regarding selling stocks a couple of days ago approximately about some stocks I wanted an opinion about whether to sell and I have sold a few because they were underperforming on a daily basis. Here are some that I still have and would like your opinion on which ones you would sell: VFF (half of what it was a few months ago), GDNP, CARS (ETF - has a lot of electric car products in it - the market is saturated with these things and it shows in this ETF), CQQQ (China), and XBI (looks like upside down V). Hope to hear from you shortly. Thanks,

Q: I am interested in an 'all-in-one' diversified ETF to provide regular (quarterly/monthly) income such as VCIP, that best meets the following criteria:
1) Fairly conservative
2) As tax-advantaged as possible as it will be held in a non-registered account
3) Yield that can reasonably be expected to outpace inflation over time
4) MER<0.4

The rest of the investment portfolio is well diversified across geography, market cap, and sector, achieved with a few broad market index ETFs.

Q: Hi team,

As I am reaching 50% gain on ARKK, I am thinking to sell half of my shares to secure some of my profits and keep it in cash for future investments. What do you think of such a strategy ?

Gratefully,

Jacques IDS

Q: What are the risks associated with investing in ZPAY? Also are there any similar funds with the same risks and rewards?
Thanks Mike

Q: Do you have an opinion of these funds?

Q: If bank stocks generally rise in a rising interest rate environment, would this ETF perform more positively or negatively given that it is also leveraged as the ETF's cost of borrowing would also increase at the same time?

Q: It has just been announced that BMO is selling its EMEA assets to Ameriprise Financial. Does this effect ETFs currently held with the bank?

Q: Hi group just sold this stock (HMMJ) this am based on to many Canadian companies that are losing $ Should I buy a US based ETF to take better advantage of the US opening up on legalizing the product or just stay on the sidelines for now - what do you think ? buy some individuals or a US ETF or do not invest in the sector at all ? - Thanks for your help on this

Q: I was just sent a merger redemption notice for this fund. Should I redeem it or not?

Thanks,

Q: Hello 5i,
As I approach 70 years of age I am trying to prepare for my impending RRSP - RRIF conversion. One move I am considering is to move VIG over a period of years from my RRSP to my TFSA. The rationale is that it is a relatively low dividend stock but the capital appreciation is huge - I am currently up about 76% - and this means the increase in VIG value affects my minimum withdrawal required each year while contributing relatively little in the way of dividend income to cover the mandated minimum withdrawals.
One note - for the past several years we have been taking our TFSA contributions from our RRSP's but seem to always end up with a tax refund anyway, so we are not so concerned with the tax issue on that front.
So, to the question (finally): do you see any problems at all in such a move for VIG or any other U.S. ETF or Global ETF? The withholding tax on U.S. holdings in the TFSA is not an issue. Any other comments or suggestions?
Many thanks!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: what would be some great investments if we were to have a really hard drought all across North America this spring summer and fall ? thanks

Q: I own a fully position in IWN - with what's been going on lately with sector rotation (Growth verses value) should i see half the position and buy IWO (growth) or sell the entire position in IWN and buy IWM (both growth and value) ?

Second question I own significant holdings in WEF (overweight) WFG (1/2 position) and lastly Canfor (Full Position) My question is is it time to exit hold or reduce as lumber prices cannot stay at the present level forever?? (your comment please) maybe even sell some WEF some and go with a big house builder or even Lowes (I already own Home depot ) your guidance is appreciated

Q: 5 i's recommended vehicle for those interested in the bit coin investment opportunity appears to be BTCC.
GLXY , that appears to have been on the same scene since Oct 2018 has seen little price movement until recently but has now broken out to the upside.
How are these two investments different?
How do they compare as far as risk?
Is it too late to add to a position in GLXY or best to just allow BTTC the same opportunity to develop?
Your wise counsel has paid off handsomely in the past and is much appreciated!!!

Q: I am a very disgruntled customer after seeing my seeing my rrsp account (ETF STOCK NAME REMOVED) go from a gain to a loss due a notional payment/distribution (AKA phantom payment) causing my adjusted cost base to increase by $1.24. If my account wouldn't have shown a loss I wouldn't have picked up on this. After talking to your help line I am even more dissatisfied.
What is a notional payment?
It is a distribution declared by a fund or trust where no cash is paid to unit holders, but is considered taxable at the time it is declared. Notional payments are declared to avoid paying taxes on income earned within a fund or trust, but where the fund manager does not wish to deplete the resources of the fund or trust by paying distributions in cash. Notional distributions, sometimes called “phantom distributions” are taxable in the year declared, and will increase the adjusted cost base (ACB) of the security. You can usually identify a notional payment by looking for a TXPDDV payment, followed by a DRIP debit, for 0 shares.
If I understood what (ETF COMPANY NAME REMOVED) is doing with these so called distributions I would have never bought the etf as it makes such a small interest rate and then my adjusted cost base goes up by $1.24 by this phantom distribution causing a loss in(ETF STOCK NAME REMOVED). I am better off keeping cash in my account than holding (ETF STOCK NAME REMOVED).
This practice of passing on phantom distributions and causing losses to customers seems like a sneaky under handed way to pass on costs to keep your MER lower. I have lost trust in (COMPANY NAME REMOVED) ETF's.

Q: Hello. Looking at buying US cannabis ETF. But, I see this under MSOS Holdings:

BlackRock Liquidity Funds Treasury Trust Institutional TTTXX 43.13%

Seems like a large percentage is invested in US treasuries that would not be growing very fast (dead money?); what are your thoughts on this and the MSOS ETF in general.

Holdings of similar MJ ETF are names I more readily recognize (TLRY, CRON, WEED, APHA,...), so maybe that's the way to go?

Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i,

We purchased QBTC when it was available, then purchased BTCC.B when it was recommended by 5i, and it looks like BTCC is now recommended. Can you clarify which Bitcoin stock is preferred - BTCC or BTCC.B or another Bitcoin stock?

Would it make any sense to own 1/2 of the ETF stocks in BTCC and 1/2 in BTCC.B if you have a 4% position?

Thank you for your fantastic service.

Cheers,

Debbie and Jerry

Q: Hi , Starting my 5 month old grand daughter's RESP. After reading all your other suggestions to other members, I am thinking of VEQT for the diversification of world markets and VUG for that extra torque and US dollar exposure. Would you add anything else here or suggest otherwise? I thank-you in advance. Sam

Q: Could provide an opinion on these ETF - ZDY/ZGI - read a Morningstar report on each and their opinion is they are underperforming peers.
Can you provide examples of better performing ETFs to replace them.
Thanks