Investment Q&A

Q: Looking for ETF that is ex Canada and US for international exposure. Any opinion on DWM or could you suggest other alternatives? Thanks.

Q: I don't have any U.S. exposure other than IWO as suggested in the growth portfolio.
Can you recommend an ETF group to give me proper broad exposure to this market ?
Thank you.

Q: for a 34 year which ETF would you recommend for a LIRA for US exposure and or Emerging market? Has 20+ years before using the LIRA.
Thanks

Q: What is the down side risk here? It seems to be at an all time low and the market volatility index also seems at a record low. Thank you Jack.

Q: Hi,

I heard somewhere about an EFT that reflected the S&P 500 Internet technology Index, but I can't seem to find it. Do you know of an EFT like this? Maybe it would be similar to the Nasdaq 100? Not sure...

Thanks,

John

Q: Hi Peter, I made some money pre-legalization on Hexo but I have been out of pot stocks complely. I am looking for a half position in US based ETF on US pot companies for both growth and safety. Thanks again for your outstanding work. Geoff

Q: Hello 5i
I have to increase the international component of my portfolio, according to the Analytics program. By a lot. I therefore have a couple of questions, as the analytics program gives only Canadian hedged products and I will be buying in US dollars.

First, VWO is currently 2.5 per cent of our portfolio. You often suggest that an etf should compose at least 5%. I have been hesitent with emerging markets. But, do you think that this would be a reasonable increase?

Second. Again in US dollars, I would like something to compliment this. I am thinking that it would be good to have one fund. An all the world except North America fund. In the analytics you suggest VDU. But, as I say, I am buying in US dollars. So, I am looking first of all for an etf suggestion. And secondly, whether this one stop shopping is the best approach. I have to raise about 27% in international, according to your program. I am pretty close to the US allocation, though, so don't need any US.
thanks

Q: Tried searching questions on these, but could not find. Can you suggest ETF equivalent to these 2. if CDN denominated even better. thanks

Q: Hi,

Would you prefer one of these over the other for US dividend exposure?

Q: Hi, I will like to thank you for the investment service you are providing. I am learned a lot about investing in the last 2 years or so, from your answers to questions alone. It has instilled in me virtue of patience far more than I had before I started subscribing to your service.
I will like to know how IWO, a USD security in a CAD account ( a sizable position in growth model) , will work out if the CAD appreciates versus USD. Will it be OK to invest in USD securities in CAD accounts at the current exchange rates? What time horizon one should be thinking about for such a move?
Regards
RR

Q: Hi,

So I have been investing for a couple of decades using mostly ETFs, and wanted to focus more energies on investing in 'World Dividend aristocrats' so to speak (ex-US, ex-Canada).

Something like the 'Dogs-of-the-Dow', but for the rest of the world, and maybe a list of 10 companies.

I tried to scour the internet with little luck, and short of me running a stock screener ( which I also tried to do also with little success), I would greatly appreciate if you know of an ETF or could point me along to a way of doing it...since it would need to be done annually.

Much appreciated.

Thanks.

Q: I am just starting to invest into my TFSA and will not need the assets for at least 7 to 10 years. I would like growth and can say I am a moderate risk taker. I have small positions in the four stocks and I was also contemplating a position in BCE. Would you be able to suggest at least four other stocks or etf's to diversity my account.

Q: Want to replace with another etf in cdn mkt.Not happy with this performance.Can u list your picks.
tnx u

Q: Hi 5i team, Regarding my question on Apr 26 on foreign properties to be reported on T1135 to CRA, your answer was “If you are buying Canadian-based ETFs that hold foreign securities, then no. If the ETFs are US-based (US domiciled, US management companies) then yes.” Please expand and clarify your previous answer so I am not making assumptions. Are you saying if I buy ETFs from Vanguard or Blackrock then they are considered ‘foreign’? How about if I buy ETFs from Canadian subsidiaries of Vanguard, Blackrock, iShares? Or are you saying all ETFs listed on the Canadian exchanges are Not considered as ‘foreign’? Examples would be useful. Thanks for the clarification.

Q: How can they pay such a large dividend and is it sustainable? Thanks, James

Q: I am investigating where to invest my proceeds from KWH.UN once funds are received. I see that back on Mar 25th you recommended SPB. Since then it has been removed from your Model Income Portfolio. I also see that you have recommended PKI over SPB. I have about 2.7% of SPB in my portfolio currently. I am interested more in income then growth as we are now living off investment income. Funds that will be received are about 1.1% of total invested. I aim for 5% in a holding so would prefer 1 rather the both. Which would be preferable in your opinion? Is there a better ETF or other company?

Q: Good morning. I am in the ongoing process of re-balancing my portfolio, using your new tools for which I am grateful. We currently have a considerable “fixed income” position in pref shares of bigger Canadian companies (banks and the likes). Your analyzer tool regards pref shares as equities. I understand the legal difference between pref and common shares but wonder if it’s not really semantics. How often does the pref share indeed get the ultimate pref protection and the commons suffer? I also realize that the prefs don’t shift in value as much as the commons can, both up and down. I am wondering how prudent or necessary it is to invest in prefs? Part of my rebalancing is to increase my US holdings substantially and I’m thinking of reducing my Canadian pref positions. What would you suggest for investing on the US side as a replacement. I am overweight financials and energy and we depend on dividends for income flow. So, my two questions are how do you view pref shares generally and second, if I do reduce my Canadian prefs, where to invest in the US? Many thanks

Q: Do you think ZWU is a good defensive play at this time? Is the dividend safe? I like the US/Canada split in holdings. Do you have another similar vehicle that I should look at?

Dennis

Q: Hello 5i: I hold GWR and would like to add to Water specifically. Your ideas would be appreciated. Thank you. Barbara

Q: Good Morning, I have been watching ZAG and XBB in order to deploy cash. Not sure when is a good entry point? I know we cannot time the market but what would you suggest I should look for (e.g.. off it's 52 wk high, net asset value etc). Which one would you prefer ZAG or XBB. Thank you. Heather