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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: If one is only invested in North America, would now be a good time to buy VEE, or if you have a better idea for emerging markets? Also, if one has built a conservative portfolio for elderly parents using only VBAL and VCNS, would adding VEE be a good compliment, or would it add significant risk ?
Read Answer Asked by Charles on November 23, 2020
Q: Good day and thank you for all your valuable information. In looking to consolidate some income positions in my portfolio I would like to bring one of these two high income earners toward a fuller position of 4-5% in my portfolio (currently ZWC at 1.1% and MFT at 1.98%). Portfolio is aimed at getting 80-20 split equity-fixed income. Can I have your thoughts on these two and any suggestion toward any other I should be considering instead. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Roger on November 23, 2020
Q: My Son is turning 18, wishes to open a TFSA with $6G. and add $6G /yr for next 30 years. It will be a buy and hold. Please recommend a portfolio of ETF's (Vanguard/Blackrock/BMO) in Canadian Dollar's that he can use to invest.
Based on the ETF'S you pick, average of past 5 years Total Return. Can you give me a "guesstimate" of portfolio value In 2050---Will be apart of his Retirement income.
Thanks...Cec
Read Answer Asked by Cecil on November 23, 2020
Q: I'm looking to diversify my RIF. I have North America covered both ETF and stock wise.
I need to add to cover the rest of the world
Your suggestions for 1-3 dividend [ for income and upside ] ETF's to do the job
Read Answer Asked by Henry on November 23, 2020
Q: I would like to know what you can suggest as a canadian bond ETF that is reliable and gives a decent performance. I currently have XGB (IShares Cdn Government Bond Index ETF) but the yield is low. Previously I had MFT (Mackenzie Floating Rate Income ETF) giving a better yield. Is one is better than the other or is there a better choice? Also, is there any bond that instead of giving a yield gives a capital gain? It would be particularly interesting for my non registered account since I want to reduce the amount of interest that I receive to avoid clawback.
Read Answer Asked by Michel on November 20, 2020
Q: Hi 5i team,
I am looking to increase my 'energy'/utility sector by adding two of the following ETF's ICLN, LIT, TAN, or FAN. I do not own any traditional energy stock/ETFs. Concurrently, I would like to increase my US and international exposure. I currently own the following relevant stock/ETFs.
Utility: BEP, AQN
US: VGG, ZSP, XQQ, IWO
International: XEF, VE, ZEM
Which two ETFs would you recommend based on long term growth expectations and geographical diversification of portfolio?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dave on November 20, 2020
Q: First I have to say thank you! My RRIF and TFSA are certainly healthier due to info gained from 5i over the past couple of years.
My questions pertain to my Rif where I have recently inherited 2 mutual funds; Dynamic 1560 Strategic Yield Fund and Dynamic 031 Global Dividend Fund (mers 2.15-2.23%). The remainder of the Rif is comprised of Canadian stocks; old TSX 60 stalwarts and/or stocks from your income or balanced portfolios. The Dynamic funds each account for approximately 20% of the total Rif and around 13% of total investments.
Questions
1. Are there better ETFs/Funds you would suggest for exposure to US and global markets?
2. What is a reasonable weight for an individual ETF/fund within a portfolio?
3. What is a reasonable percent of one's portfolio to allocate to US markets? and to global markets?
TIA
(Good to see Peter on BNN yesterday.)

Read Answer Asked by Gail on November 19, 2020
Q: I’m looking for a low fee ETF for emerging markets, but which excludes China. Can you offer any suggestions? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by James on November 19, 2020
Q: These two etf's have to be part of the near future in driving of auto's. Both hold a nice a nice mix of good companies and had nice returns in the past year. What is your opinion of this investment, and the risks?
Thanks again
Read Answer Asked by eugene on November 18, 2020
Q: Recently, a number of firms have brought out All-in-One ETFs, such as VEQT. If an investor wishes to be 100% invested, and diversified globally, then this ETF offers the advantage of rebalancing to the ETF's geographic weightings. These All-in-One ETFs are overweight Canada given global market capitalizations.

In contrast, there are ETFs offering similar low fees which represent the market capitalization of all global equities, such as XWD or VXC (w/o Canada). These ETFs are effectively rebalancing to reflect the global market capitalizations.

For a long-term hold, which investment do you feel will do better? Is an investor better off choosing say VEQT, or VXC? These two ETFs have similar ETFs. Is there a better alternative which you would recommend?

Your insights are much appreciated and valued. Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on November 18, 2020
Q: Hello,
Given the recent announcement of that new SE Asia trading block, should one consider increasing and overweighting VEE or XEC, or another Intl ETF? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by jeff on November 18, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
I a question on Sunday which hasn't been answered so I will try again. In a recent article which you generously shared with us on Nov 13, entitled, "You May Regret Staying in US Stocks" the author says that a good number of US investment managers are in agreement that for various reasons, US stocks will not be growing as fast as international stocks in the future. I was wondering whether you agree with this thesis? Also, do you think that the etf"s mentionned above will cover what is needed, or should I look at others? I will not be going out and selling all of my US stocks if this thesis is correct. But, I am low on my international section anyway. But, I have been hesitant to add to them.
thanks very much
Read Answer Asked by joseph on November 18, 2020