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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: You have often talked about several criteria’s when selecting buying or selling a stock.
I do not recall ever reading your take on ETF’ selection. Also I don’t remember you ever saying to not buy a particular ETF. Their are hundreds of ETF’s to choose from. This is what I look at, please tell me what’s missing. MER, dividend yield and frequency, market cap i look for more than 300M, income or growth, geography, % of sectors invested, performance history,covered call or not. What’s missing in my analysis ? If all of the above criteria is acceptable for one’s decision, which other factor or factors would influence me in not buying a particular ETF.
Thank you for educating the membership.
Read Answer Asked by Luc on January 14, 2020
Q: Hi,

What are your thoughts on PGI.UN? The MER looks like it's on the order of 4% which seems high. On the other hand, for a fixed income fund, the total return (after expenses) for the last few years seems decent.

I already hold XHY, CVD & XPF. Would you say PGI.UN is a good compliment to add to these or should I just add to these ETFs instead?

Thanks,

Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on January 14, 2020
Q: In this ultra low interest rate environment, where it is maybe more likely for rates to climb than to fall, do you think the best place for the income component of a portfolio, aside from GICs, is in a bond ETF like VAB or a savings ETF like PSA?

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on January 14, 2020
Q: Hello 5i, I am looking to invest in one or two Canadian real estate ETF. Can you suggest me 3 names with low cost, a good performance and low debt. Thank you! Jean
Read Answer Asked by Jean on January 13, 2020
Q: Re article in today’s National Post re ETF of ETF’s, no ticker symbols were included. Can you provide same and indicate your opinion on general suitability and if favourable your choice?
Thank you for considering my question
Read Answer Asked by Gail on January 13, 2020
Q: Recommendations for Healthcare stocks or ETF currently?
Read Answer Asked by Elizabeth on January 13, 2020
Q: Hi, I do not have any bonds or fixed income. Looking for one or two prospects to start, with about $50,000 to invest. Would like 3-4%+income. What are your views on the above, and of course any other you may suggest. Would like one size fits all if possible.
Also in a possible 30% downturn in the market , how much would a bond etf cushion the blow?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Brad on January 13, 2020
Q: Hi gang, I own this funds. TML735 & AIM24823. Both have not done well for me . I would like to switch to another family fund or should I just cash out and buy an ETF . Your thought please. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Alnoor on January 13, 2020
Q: I am a retired, dividend-income investor. Assume asset allocation is not an issue. I already hold positions in Nutrien, XIT (technology ETF) and Eric's NinePoint Energy fund (proxy for the oil market). I have this year's TFSA monies to put towards one of these equities.

Please rank for total return (best to worst) for 2020 and a short explanation as to why.

Thanks for your help...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 13, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
I am now putting growth stocks in my TFSA after putting in my GIC's over the years. I am holding IWO and LNF in an unregistered account. To complete my TFSA contribution should I include IWO or LNF?
Thank you
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on January 12, 2020
Q: Below is the longer term performance of HQU for 1,3,6month and 1,3,5,10 year periods, along with the Fund Quartile rating. With this longer term return, why wouldn't I just use this fund as my only proxy for NASDAQ listed stocks? The same with SSO for SPY listed stocks? Seems like an easy was to outperform (and under) the markets.

Your thoughts please, pros and cons.

+7.70% +25.81% +26.31% +79.22% +39.24% +27.01% +30.14%

Fund Quartile 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st

Sheldon
Read Answer Asked by Sheldon on January 12, 2020
Q: Hi,
Is XAW a good strategy and good ETF to easily diversify outside Canada. Also, is there other similar ETF’s that you suggest investing which excludes Canada for a world diversification.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by André on January 10, 2020
Q: Happy New Year 5i,
Is there anywhere I could get a complete list of the holdings in HBAL, VBAL, XBAL? I realize VBAL is 12,595! XBAL 16,000 plus! I am thinking there might be spreadsheets available somewhere. I am just doing a bit of education with my children and grandchildren.
Thanks
Chris
Read Answer Asked by Chris on January 09, 2020
Q: Hi 5i,
Happy New Year.
In the original asset allocator there was a suggested portfolio in ETFs. Mine has vanished! I was trying to look up possible ETFs in European or International small caps.
Are there any? Or would GIB, WSP,Altus or CAE count as international as well as Canadian?
Constance
Read Answer Asked by Constance on January 09, 2020