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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: Two questions:
1) I don't have much understanding of how royalties companies in general, and OR specifically, earn their revenue. Can you provide a simple explanation please.
2) Is OR a reasonable (diversified?) choice for the only gold (or "metals") exposure in a Cdn dividend-focused portfolio? I'm reluctant to buy a mining company directly. Is there an alternative ETF with equivalent distributions?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lotar on January 29, 2021
Q: I have CQQQ in a tax-deferred account. Given uncertainties over China-US relations (and concerns about China’s aggressive stand on Hong Kong and her claims over Taiwan) would you buy any China ETF?
If yes , would you buy KWEB or simply add to an existing holding in CQQQ ? Or would you be fine buying both?
Read Answer Asked by Adam on January 29, 2021
Q: This question is on IShares North American Tech-Multimedia Networking ETF which trades on the nasdaq. (your system won't bring it up for me). It's impossible not to notice it rising nicely today (and this week) while everything else is falling. It doesn't appear to be highly liquid and so I hesitate to increase my holdings. But I'd like your opinion of the ETF.

Read Answer Asked by John on January 29, 2021
Q: I want to build an American ETF portfolio of 5-6 ETFs that pay a decent (4%-5%) yield. I have historically bought Canadian hedged ETFs for that purpose however I think there is a possible currency advantage to be had. I have looked at many many ETF questions in the 5i ETF folder and they seem to be very Canadian based. Would you be able to suggest 5-6 US based ETFs or more if you want to add a few more.
Thanks
Norm
Read Answer Asked by Norm on January 29, 2021
Q: Can you provide me a recommendation for both a growth and conservative (income with a little upside) etf that gets me some international exposure (Non CAD / US markets). I am overweight in CAD and balanced in US. I appreciate that most large companies are ‘global’ regardless of where they are listed so take that into consideration. I am ok owning ETF’s where the holdings seem like US based but in fact they are global CO’s.

Consideration to the MER also please. I hate paying fees!
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on January 28, 2021
Q: I have transferred my RRIF account from a broker and I plan to self-mange that account. The cash balance as of today is $290,000. I'm 88 years old so I need strong cash flow and/or capital gains to meet the required annual distribution. Please provide a list of stocks and ETFs that 5i would recommend for that purpose. Thanks for your valued assistance.
Read Answer Asked by George on January 28, 2021
Q: I want to increase exposure to foreign equities within my RRSP. I currently have US$ in my RRSP account (in the US$ side of the account), as well as an existing position in XEF:CA (in the CA$ side of the same RRSP account), which I want to increase. I noticed that it is possible to buy XEF in US$ (the ticker is XEF.U:CA). Since I already have US$ within my RRSP, it would seem to make sense to buy XEF.U:CA, using my US$, and then after the trade settles, to "journal-entry" these newly acquired XEF.U shares to the Canadian side of the RRSP account (where presumably they would be re-designated as XEF:CA). My goal is to hold the XEF holding in CA$ for the long term, as I will ultimately dispose of these securities in CA$ when I begin to withdraw funds during retirement. Does this strategy for acquiring more shares of XEF make sense to you? Or is there some downside I am not considering? (The obvious upside is to be able to acquire the new position in XEF, using my existing US$ cash position, without a direct currency conversion expense.)

Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on January 28, 2021
Q: Hi 5i Team. Question relates to trading volume on PID. I'm trying to establish a 2 - 4% position in PID for international exposure for both growth and dividends. The 2 - 4% position equates to 5,000 - 10,000 shares. I tried to place an order yesterday for 5,000 shares and only half the position was taken. If I look back at the past 30 days, average trading volume is typically ~<10,000 shares. The one exception was mid December when trading volume was ~75 - 100,000 shares. Should one be worried or concerned about this when trying to establish a position in an ETF with a AUM of ~$140M. Many thanks. Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 28, 2021
Q: hi, what is your thoughts MFC 5786:ca and MFC 5303:ca for 2-3% portfolio

thanks Jean guy
Read Answer Asked by Jean Guy on January 27, 2021
Q: Other than Horizon's BetaPro ETFs, are there any other leveraged ETFs that trade on Canadian markets? I am looking for something similar to TNA / TZA, but trading in Canadian dollars.
Read Answer Asked by Edward on January 27, 2021
Q: Hi,

I'm looking for an ETF that holds a small number of high quality Canadian stocks - say about 25 holdings. A yield similar to XIC or XIU would be nice but not critical.

HBF and DXG are a couple of ETF examples that I use for US and international companies. So something similar to these but holding Canadian companies. I don't mind paying a slightly higher MER for a somewhat more active portfolio management style.

Thanks,

Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on January 27, 2021
Q: I have too much exposure to the CAD market and too less internationally.

Could you provide me with 2 etfs that have caught your attention the past 12-24 months. One which is A growth oriented etf with more risk as well as another which is a slow boring low MER etf with a 2-3% yield which less risk.

Thanks for the recommendations in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on January 27, 2021
Q: I would very much appreciate explaining the difference between ARK and Evolve Etf's. Are ARKs actively managed while Evolves are passively managed? Would you please choose two or three of each that have a balance between better growth and lower risk and provide good diversification.
Thanks.
.
Read Answer Asked by Saad on January 27, 2021
Q: Good afternoon 5i,

As a more conservative investor but looking for growth. Volatility no problem and some risk ok.
I don't view these in the same light. 22 year time frame.
I have anchored my portfolio TFSA / RRSP with ETF'S.
VTI, QQQ, XIT, VEE
The TSX are blue-chip dividend stocks for added
stability and ATD.B, BAM.A, GSY, KXS
Could you please rate my prospective ETF'S. Which would you invest in for this time frame and much needed boost for my portfolio. Or one that I missed?

ARKK, SKYY, CLOU, SOXX, SMH, QQQJ

Thank you very much.
Read Answer Asked by Greg on January 27, 2021