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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: On July 12-th you answered Austin's question on ZUB/ZBK. The difference in returns between the two funds can be significant depending on the timeframe compared. Would ZUB still be your pick today? What information would you use to switch between the two? Would you be adding at this point to the US banks exposure for long therm investment (10 years)?
Read Answer Asked by JR on December 27, 2017
Q: I forget where I read it, but I hear that the Japanese stock market is in a recovery and growing. The writer suggested that the the N.A. markets will be heading into bearish territory in the next year or so. Th writer's thesis was that it would be a good time to buy Japanese stocks to diversify and guard one's portfolio against pullbacks. What do you think of this? Could you recommend any Japanese companies or etfs? Could you recommend a research platform to learn about Japanese or other foreign, publicly traded companies.
Read Answer Asked by Grant on December 27, 2017
Q: I have about 20k US funds to invest. Since I have couple of balanced Canadian portfolios already in registered accounts, so for the us funds, I am looking for safe growth in stocks or etfs, Ideally to invest in the areas that Canadian market doesn't cover, such as IT, AI related. Could you suggest couple of names?
Thanks,
Lin
Read Answer Asked by Lin on December 26, 2017
Q: Hi Peter,
In a well diversified portfolio, which India fund would you hold (from the list above or another) ? Why is FIH/U currently agging the others ? We already own FFH; Is buying FIH/U as well too much Fairfax ?
Thank you, Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on December 22, 2017
Q: Good morning from the West Coast.
Merry Christmas and a Profitable New Year to all the staff at 5I.
My question : Is there a CDN ETF that has a monthly payout please?
Thanks
Rick
Read Answer Asked by Richard on December 22, 2017
Q: I've been a member of 5i for about two years and your help has been substantial. Thank-you. I currently own a portfolio that closely mirrors your balanced portfolio.

My question today relates to one asked recently about Warren Buffet's wishes regarding his investments should he die. I believe it was somethink like 10% to short term bonds and 90% to the S&P 500. I'm seeking advice regarding what a kind of portfolio a Canadian should develop in a similar situation. My wife has no interest in day to day stock analysis. Should she inherit our portfolio, I'd like to construct a 'buy and hold' ETF portfolio, in addition to our current portfolio, with exposure to Canada, the United States and the rest of the world. This would comprise the equity part of a more complete portfolio. Hopefully, it would have the potential to show resonable gains with little attention by the owner. My question is: which 3 ETF's would you choose to gain exposure to the 3 markets for a Canadian who simply wants to buy and hold? What % would you put into each ETF?
All the best to you and your families for the holiday season.
Read Answer Asked by Les on December 22, 2017
Q: I am looking to move some cash after a year end portfolio clean up. I am considering 25% in each of VSC and VSB, 25% in PMIF, 25% in XHY. Would you recommend different ETFs and/or % allocations?

Thanks for you dedication
Merry Christmas to all.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on December 20, 2017
Q: In order to build some exposure to the U.S. Market I am considering investing 30% in VUN, 30% in VGG and the rest in VGG. Would you consider any changes to the above selections and allocations?

Thanks to the team
Merry Christmas to all.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on December 20, 2017
Q: hello 5i:
can you comment on the ETF above please? And, can you list the Canadian equivalent, assuming there is one. Would this ETF pursue a strategy you would endorse?
While many have expressed their satisfaction with the service (ditto for me), I'd like to commend Peter on the vision and drive necessary to grow what has become a top notch service. And looking back to the beginning, hasn't it been a fun ride?
thanks, and Merry Christmas
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on December 20, 2017
Q: My 29 year old son has $40,000 in a tfsa all in cash. So far, he has little interest in investing. I'm thinking as a possible way to get him interested (and to at least get some kind of return) of suggesting to him that he put $35,000 into a Cdn equity etf and $5,000 into a growth stock. (I would really like for him to just put it into say 4 growth stocks but if the whole thing tanks it will be "dad's fault".) He also has his employer DC pension plan (2 or 3 years in) in which he's invested in life-cycle funds.

Could you recommend an etf and stock for his tfsa? Or would you suggest some other completely or slightly different route to go with his tfsa? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by William on December 20, 2017
Q: To establish a more passive approach for my Canadian holdings I am considering investment in the following ETFs. VCN 25% (core), MAW106 25% (core). MKC 30%, and HEW the remainder. Would you consider any changes to the above selections or allocations?

Thanks to a dedicated team
Merry Christmas to all.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on December 20, 2017