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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 am interested in two ETFs from Dynamic iShares. Both are actively managed and both have limited history but the history they have is impressive. DXU is US oriented and DXG is global (the global fund has extensive US holding so may not be appropriate for diversification). I was wondering if you at 5i had any comments.
Read Answer Asked by Fred on April 03, 2019
Q: Hi, In order to increase my international exposure, I am considering VIU. But I was wondering if there are any equivalent of IWO for international exposure (i.e. a more aggressive small/midcap international exposure), a low cost mutual fund may be an option as well. Thanks.

Regards,

Shyam
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on April 02, 2019
Q: Hello 5i team,
I have noticed from looking in the past 3 years that most of my losses have been from small cap stocks (BOS,MCB,RRX,RHT,etc...) and almost all of my gains have been from mid to large caps. I would still like to have a certain percent exposure to small caps without buying individual stocks.

-I was wondering if there are ETFs that track small caps in Canada or the US (or and ETF that tracks both) for the very long term?

-Are there some that would have a decent dividend?

-What is an ideal percent allocation for small caps in a diversified portfolio?

Thank You,
Andrew
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on April 02, 2019
Q: In February of each year, iShares attributes a significant amount of Non-Cash Re-Investment of Capital Gains for the previous year for holders of CEW. For tax year 2018, it was about $0.533 per unit (roughly 4.3% of unit value). This increases my average cost, so when I sell it in my cash account, my capital gain is reduced (or loss is increased) an equivalent amount. I don't mind this too much in a taxable account.
1. However, If CEW is held in a registered account or a TFSA, am I correct in believing this non-cash reinvestment offers no advantage whatsoever?
2. Why don't these ETFs simply issue a cash distribution? That would benefit owners irrespective of which type of account the units are held in.
Read Answer Asked by EDWARD on April 02, 2019
Q: Hi gang, If my portfolio is set up 50/50 with 50% in equities and 25% in bonds and 25% in cash, and if I take the 25% cash and invest in a inverse mutual fund or short the index would my split go to 25/75? Looking at ways to ease the pain during the next bear which we can start to see in the rearview mirror, whether its this year or next. Just don't like giving money back.

Thanks
Anthony
Read Answer Asked by Anthony on March 29, 2019
Q: I currently have 20% fixed income in my portfolio. 10% is laddered GICs and the other 10% is in ZAG ETF. I'd like to add another 5% to fixed income and was wondering if you think XIG would be a good source as it adds some US exposure and a slightly higher yield. How risky would it be? Or do you have other suggestions? Please note that I am not interested in junk bonds.
Read Answer Asked by Carla on March 28, 2019
Q: In response to your answer to my question. A capital gain cost on an interest vehicle removes any benefit of investing in the mutual fund (TDB8152), when the Canadian dollar is falling, as it surely is. It would be better to leave the money in cash. Is there a better alternative?
Read Answer Asked by Mark on March 28, 2019
Q: Hi - looking for recommendation for ETF recommendations within my TFSA. 40% of TFSA will be for this ETF mix and 60% is in your Balanced Equity model. Long term investment horizon for me as in mid 30s. Any recommendations?
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 27, 2019