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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: For RESP investments for my 3 grandchildren (ages 7, 9 and 11), I am pretty sure I'd like to choose XIT, partly because it's Canadian and I recognize the names of the top 10 holdings. I would like to be fairly aggressive. But I also would. like to complement XIT with another ETF without being overweight in (any?) energy or financials. In fact, probably no energy and underweight financials. Something fairly balanced without technology, but still growth tilted. I'd like it to be TSX traded in Canadian dollars, but it does not have to hold all Canadian stocks. Another option would be to complement XIT with one or two individual companies but not sure I could get the diversification that way. Would like to keep it simple, if possible. Is there a Canadian equivalent to IWO or an equivalent that trades in Canada in Canadian dollars? Or would that type of ETF already be overweight technology, minimizing diversification? In short, diversified with a growth tilt and in Canadian dollars but not too much technology overlap with XIT. Thanks for your help on this. Much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on July 13, 2020
Q: Hi, looking to add to the fixed income part of my portfolio, I hesitate between CBH and CBO. In the current state of affairs, should I go for a short-term etf like CBO or go with CBH for which the duration is a reasonable 4.5 years. I have mainly individual govn’t bonds at this point plus 10% total in XBB and XSB. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Martin on July 13, 2020
Q: Hi 5i team,

You kindly answered a recent question of mine re: minimizing risk of U.S. estate taxes (I am high net worth investor). I posed the question of emerging markets exposure, and asked you to compare VWO (U.S. situs) versus ZEM (Canadian situs); and you recommended ZEM for avoiding U.S. situs investment. My follow-up question has to do with making a comparison between VEE (the Vanguard Canada emerging markets fund) and ZEM. My understanding is that all ETFs registered to Vanguard Canada (such as VEE) are considered "Canadian situs" investments, even though they hold investments outside of Canada. So here are my two questions:
1. In a comparison between ZEM and VEE, would you recommend one over the other (the goal is Canadian situs investment within my RSP for long-term emerging markets exposure, at least 5 to 10 years).
2. In general, how can one most easily determine whether a security-- whether ETF or individual stock--is Canadian or U.S. situs investment (for estate planning purposes)?

Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on July 10, 2020
Q: Greetings,

Hoping you can help me to understand the fundamental differences between these funds and why the US preferred ETFs have significantly outperformed CPD since March.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by kelly on July 09, 2020
Q: Hello 5i Team:

Thank you for your answer about DGRC today. With hindsight, I shouldn't have included VCIP in the same question! Here it is again as a separate question:

I know from your answers to other members that weighting is personal/that bonds despite all the bad news still play a role in one's portfolio/Short bonds are probably better than long bonds.
I have your Portfolio Analytics service and my input suggests 60 40 split. (Inputting data in PA is a work in progress!!)

With this mind, may I ask this question?

What would your suggestions be for retirees: 40% Fixed income .
All in something like VCIP. Or divide them into different boxes? VSB/VAB/VSC etc., Or some other ETFS?

40% is a lot of money to be in one ETF, no? Or these multi layered ETFs offer enough diversification?

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Savalai on July 09, 2020
Q: Appreciate your comments on the ETF ZAG and the Mutual Fund AIM2143 Emerging Market Class. If you have a better alternative please recommend it.
Thanks.
Clayton
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on July 08, 2020
Q: Hello:

It seems b/c DGRC is not heavy on Energy and Financials, it has done better than ZDV/VDY.
Going forward, should one add to one's DGRC position or VDY/ZDV. Out look for energy is still bleak, isn't it?

My main aim is to enhance Dividends, get tax credits in our non RRSP portfolio. Safety is always a concern and I presume all of them offer some safety though not 100% as they are all based on stocks after all.

Also how do these ETFS compare with VCIP which I presume will be safer but less tax efficient and less growth?

Thanks for your service.
Read Answer Asked by Savalai on July 08, 2020
Q: Hi Group I have AEM,GLD, FNV,GDXJ in my present Gold holdings, that represents 7% of my portfolio. I would like to go to 10% (your thoughts on moving to 10%) .Should I buy another stock or add to one of my present holdings (GDXJ) is my best performer. I am medium risk investor. Appreciate your comments
Read Answer Asked by Terence on July 08, 2020
Q: Hi 5i Team:
RE: WFH (Work From Home ETF) from Direxion.
This ETF just came out June 25th .. do not see it in your database.
What is your opinion of the theme of this ETF ?
Would be a satellite holding in my portfolio.
Seems to make a lot of sense in the current COVID-19 environment.
Or could you recommend another ETF or stock that you like the prospects of going forward in this new investing environment ?
Thanks, Steve
Read Answer Asked by STEVEN on July 08, 2020
Q: This is a follow up to my question yesterday about fixed income investments and inflation/ interest rates.

If one is of the view that interest rates will increase, what is your advice about real return bonds, versus regular bonds. Does it make sense for most investors to hold real return bonds in their fixed income portion of their portfolio? If so, what is the maximum percentage of their fixed income portion that you would recommend that real return bonds take? How best should an investor buy fixed return bonds - does an ETF make sense, and which one would you recommend?

Thank you again for your wonderful advice.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on July 07, 2020
Q: Hi,
I am wondering what your thoughts are on ETFs that focus on China. As it reopens, do you see any benefit to owning either an ETF, or possibly specific shares, that are expected to grow coming out of Covid? CNXT is another ETF I've looked at, but it is not in your database. My portfolio is about 60% in Canada, the balance in US and I have been focusing on adding more US exposure, mainly in the tech and health care sectors. I also find it interesting that the auto industry in China gained as Covid restrictions eased and am seeing a bit of follow through in the US auto industry, possibly driven by TSLA - but I am not sure why that would be, as I would think it is the last thing anyone would be buying now. If adding more international exposure, what would be a good target percentage and does this make sense at this point in time? Please deduct points as you see fit.
Thanks - your suggestions are always welcome!
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on July 07, 2020
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