Investment Q&A

Q: What is your opinion of PYF as a reliable source of income?

Q: On 29 Aug I asked a question, part of which was: "Do you like the idea of holding some (10%) of a portfolio in active ETFs?" I did got a sense from your answer if you favour holding some actively managed ETFs, or would you stay with low MER index ETFs? I am planning to hold as much as 50% of my portfolio in ETFs for outside Canada exposure.

Q: I would appreciate your opinion of this fund, and how does its volatility and performance compare with other technology funds. Thanks.
Peter

Q: I am looking for a bond fund in the US and just trying to sort out all the options. I have been looking at this one for awhile and seems like a good option. Any comments. This is for the fixed income portion of my portfolio looking for US retirement income.

Cheers

Q: I am aiming for 60% of my investments to be outside of Canada. I have a number of index ETFs (VFV, VA, XQQ, HXS, HXQ, VLQ, VMO) but I am wondering if I need some active ETFs. One I came across is Evolve Active Managed Core Equity ETF ( listed on TSX as CAPS) which has a solid return but higher MER at .95% plus very little information available. Are you familiar with his ETF? Do you recommend this active ETF or do you have other suggestions? Do you like the idea of holding some (10%) of a portfolio in active ETFs?

Q: Not sure if zlb should still be in my porfolio, since its underperforming. Would i be better off to just put the money in vanguard canadian index vcn if i have a longer term view of the market 20 years out.

Q: Transitioning my mutual funds to a self managed ETF portfolio of near equal weighting of ve, vee, spy,vig and iwo for all USA and international exposure. I am due for another block of buying. Which of the 5 above would be best to add now. VE and VEE are down so average out my loss? On weighting I was due to add mostly VEE and IWO. Just starting the transition so can add pretty much any of them.

Q: Is there an ETF that shorts cannabis stocks? If not, there should be! Thanks. Peter

Q: Hi,
Since your comments are often extremely intuitive and helpful, I am keen to hear your thoughts on the new Communication Services sector in the US. As it will reclassify a few stocks I currently own, I am wondering about the potential effects, if any, of ETF managers rebalancing sector specific funds on some of the stocks involved. It has crossed my mind there might be a significant number of changes required on multiple ETFs, but am not sure whether this may affect stock prices, or would it just see increases in volume for a period of time? Is there an opportunity here for picking a few stocks, possibly growth ones, that may gain from the reclassification?
As always, we appreciate your insight.
Dawn

Q: What would be your percentage recommendation between XIU and FVF if one were to invest a total of $100,000. My own gut feeling would be 60% FVF and 40% XIU. With Thanks, Bill

Q: Can I get your take on the SPDR S&P software and services ETF? It's volatility, risk and growth prospects as compared to other tech ETFs or companies?

Q: I would appreciate your views upon IJS as a vehicle for the US small cap market. Are there other funds that you prefer? Thank you.

Q: Regarding the above companies, do you see any short term catalysts or is a modicum patience required? I know I Just answered the question.

I deployed my available cash on the dips and am hopeful of a return back to the prices before the dips.

While I know averaging down is not the smartest strategy, it was too hard to resist.

I took a chance on ATD on the dip and it went well. Now I think I am brilliant. Will one ever learn not to try and outguess the market?

Thanks for the sage advise over the last two years!

I eagerly await the new selections for the growth portfolio!

Finall, my wife has just retired and has a LIRA setup. The Company that is handling it scrapes off approximately $600 a month to administer it. She is not drawing on it until we are both retired. I would like to invest it based on the recommendations from 5i. We have a 5 year timeline until I am retired with a DB pension. Do you recommend the income portfolio, or a blend of all three folio’s, or to remain in the global balanced fund paying fees?

Beat Regards,

KC

Q: Hi 5i,
If one was concerned about inflation, it has been suggested that real return bonds could be something to consider investing in.
What is your opinion of these as an inflation protection? Do you currently have a view on where inflation is headed?
I have listed a couple of ETF's I might consider. Can I get your view and the pros and cons of each please?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dan

Q: I want to invest in the Cdn and US Tech sector, however I don't want to purchase stocks using US currency. I would like to have exposure to both US and Cdn Tech companies via the TSX. What do you suggest?

Thanks

Q: Hi 5i team,

My dad is almost retired with a +/- 5 year timeline of when he will need a majority of his savings. I feel he should move it out of a bank account that earns him 0.07% and into an ETF or into some blue chips stocks. Can you recommend some ETF's or blue chip stocks for his timeline?

Thanks.

Q: One of your customers asked bout this company and you gave a fairly good response

The charts also look good

Would you recommend it as a buy at this time

Q: hello 5i:
I'm a long time holder of HAC, about 7 years now, and have been very happy, both with the performance and the lack of volatility in the stock. For the most part, its just been a steady eddy. I've reduced the weighting, but its still crept up to be close to 10% of our portfolio. Any comment on what you perceive to be a proper weighting for an ETF such as this? Do you have any comments to add as to your ideas about HAC?
thanks
Paul L

Q: Gentleman,
I am looking after my mothers investment account which is currently valued at 400K. She is 75 and does not currently require the funds. I have 40K invested in each of the following ETF's - VFV, XSP, VVL, VGRO, XWD, VEE, XIN and 100K in VBAL and 20K in cash. Would you make any changes to my current ETF allocation? Will also be adding 100-200K to portfolio what would you recommend?
Always appreciate your advice,
Steve

Q: Hello 5i ! great work, nice upgrade to the web site ..
Do you know if ETF with "Total Return swap" like HBB are still "legit" for Revenue Canada ?