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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 have very little healthcare in my portfolio and also need to diversify geographically. There are so many opinions on what types of healthcare to invest in (drugs, medical devices (knees, hips), insurance, pharmacies, etc.) that I am struggling to jump in. What would be your top three healthcare related choices (outside Canada) to invest in for the long term.

Thank you for the great service you provide

Sean
Read Answer Asked by Sean on July 06, 2020
Q: On July 2, 2020 John asks for tech oriented ETF suggestions; you mentioned a couple but not TEC or HXQ. Are these tech oriented? Any particular reason why you would not want to consider them? Also, I am thinking of taking positions in these ETFs as and then selling some of the large US tech names I hold directly and then diversify into other US areas; would these be a good strategy? Last, about ETFs generally, does the price of an ETF depend solely on the values of the underlying securities, or can the price also be affected by the demand for the units? thanks for your excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on July 06, 2020
Q: I am currently reviewing my mother's non-equity portion of her retirement portfolio. She currently owns CLF, ZAG and short-term GICs. The interest from these investments are not needed for immediate living expenses. The non-equity investments in her portfolio serve to reduce volatility, and provide peace of mind.

Everything I have read recently indicates that interest rates have likely made a long-term bottom. As such, I am wondering whether my mother should sell ZAG and keep her interest-bearing investments in short-term, secure instruments only (i.e. CLF and GICs). In short, should she be staying away from mid-long term bonds?

Jeremy Siegel recently recommended that retirees should modify the traditional 60/40 stock/bond portfolio to 75/25 going forward because he does not anticipate good returns from longer-term bonds. Do you agree?

Many thanks for your thoughtful and valued insights.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on July 06, 2020
Q: Hi,
Seems to be talk about gold hitting 1900.00 - do you think it is talk, or has possible legs? If it has legs what's the best instrument to invest in? ETF's or stock picking? Either way, would your preference be in US dollars or Canadian? I am wondering if gold does soar, whether or not it will help to drive the value of the US dollar down. So lots of questions - deduct points as you see fit & as always, thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on July 06, 2020
Q: To reduce my Tech Sector allocation I am planning on selling Microsoft(3% of my equity portfolio). Initially I was thinking of purchasing additional shares in VIG but have been also thinking about a US Healthcare ETF such as XLV. Comparing returns and fees for a long term hold which of these two ETFs would you recommend? Thank you for your input.
Read Answer Asked by Elizabeth on July 06, 2020
Q: Natural gas is at its lowest level since 2009.
With employment and industry picking up, and interest in renewable and clean energy would investing in natural gas at this time be a good candidate for a contrarian move? Is HUN a good way to invest in this? Does it pay a dividend or Interest? Would you suggest a different way to invest in natural gas if HUN is not your favourite?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ric on July 03, 2020
Q: Hi 5i team,
I would like to have emerging markets equity exposure within my RRSP. Currently, my RRSP holds mostly US situs securities in a U.S. dollar brokerage account (TD-Waterhouse). I am debating between buying VWO (trades in US$) or ZEM (trades in CAD$). I use Norbert’s gambit to convert between currencies, so doesn’t matter so much if I make conversion now (from US$ to CAD$, if I buy ZEM now) or later when I need to withdraw the funds (if I buy VWO now, raising US$ from sale of US$ securities already held, and later converting to CAD$ when funds required for RSP withdrawal). Any emerging markets ETF(s) purchased now would likely be held at least 10 years (potentially, much longer, depending on longevity—spouse and I are both aged 60). One other consideration; we are HNW situation, so US estate tax considerations potentially in play, too (depending on U.S. laws at time of our demise, and specific holdings owned at that time; this consideration would favor ZEM). My question—given the above considerations (currencies, fees within RSP, estate)--which one of these two ETFs would you recommend for long-term emerging markets exposure within an RSP (or, if there is another ETF you would recommend for long-term RSP holding for emerging markets, which would it be, given the above situation?).
Read Answer Asked by Ted on July 03, 2020
Q: I sold my business and started investing last year. I am trying to build balanced portfolio and struggling with the bond portion. I don't want to buy individual bonds and was looking into something like HBB for unregistered portfolio and VAB and XSB for registered. Yet, I am very uneasy about buying bond ETFs in the near-zero interest rate environment - the rates can only go up (unless we end-up with negative rates here) and, obviously, bond ETFs will be going in the opposite direction. I was thinking about VSC but almost 35% of it are junk bonds, so no comfort there. With PSA now paying only 0.65%, I am really out of choices for the fixed income portion of my portfolio. Any suggestions (both for CDN and USD positions)? My time horizon is 10 years and I want something safe and tax efficient.
Read Answer Asked by Marie on July 03, 2020
Q: Hello -
Do you have a recommended Emerging Markets ETF that is ex-China, or alternatively, has reduced exposure to China?
I would be interested in this type of ETF in a USD account and also a similar version in my CAD account if it exists.
Read Answer Asked by James on July 03, 2020
Q: Please comments this ETF BETZ (Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF), Would it be a good long term investment? Or are there other substitutes for it to invest in this industry? Would you initiate a position today? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by David on July 03, 2020
Q: Could you recommend a couple of etfs for the tech sector for both the Canadian and U.S. markets ? Thank -you.
Read Answer Asked by John on July 02, 2020
Q: At this time, would you recommend cover call ETFs for an buy/hold income investor? Can you recommend some cover call ETFs?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Grant on June 30, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
I hold TRI as a Canadian Equity. If I journal it over to my USD account, would this serve to change my Asset Allocation for purposes of portfolio re-balancing - i.e. reduce my Canadian Equity and increase my U.S. Equity accordingly? Held within an RRSP for what it's worth.
If so, I can only assume this would apply to all dual-listed equities?
P.A. shows I need to increase my U.S. equity by about 6.70% so am looking at options.
Also, what are your thoughts on QQQ versus any individual component in the FAANG category? I am underweight Tech in general.
Thanks as always!!
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on June 30, 2020
Q: I’m looking for exposure to gold bullion and am considering GLD (SPDR has .40% mer), PHYS (Sprott), IAU (ishares gold trust has .25% mer) or MNT.CA. Which one do you prefer and why, (I’ve read stricter auditing for PHYS)? Also should I be buying in USD or CAD? Looking for protection against money printing and a general hedge or if USD losses it’s position as world reserve currency.
Read Answer Asked by Leslie on June 30, 2020
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