Investment Q&A

Q: Hi there,

I read an article in The Toronto Star this weekend by Gordon Pape. He mentioned a company called Harvest Portfolio Group and referenced the performance of a few of the ETFs they run. I was interested in your take on their Tech Achievers Growth & Income ETF. How would you compare this against something like a ZQQ/XQQ/HXQ and which would you suggest in owning?

Thanks!

Q: I am seeking to invest the proceeds of a business sale for target returns of inflation + 4% and wishing to increase competence in self directed investing. 25% is marked for bond funds, 35% is earmarked for dividend stock, 25% for Equity ETFs, 7.5% t-bills and 7.5% highly speculative stocks . Do you feel that an allocation of 25% into bonds is too heavy given the probable rise in future interest rates? What funds would you recommend with low mgmt fees and reasonable performance?

Q: If the Cdn dollar continues it's downward trend, is it better to own VEF [hedged] or VEE [non-hedged]?
Thanks

Q: I keep reading the traditional fixed income portion of a portfolio that has been allocated to bonds in the past, is a bad idea as a long term investment going forward. With that being said, what type of investments/products would you suggest the average investor allocate the fixed income portion of their portfolio going forward?
Thanks

Q: I would like to diversify my portfolio with a non US International Equity Fund. I have been considering the Mawer International Equity Fund, but am leery of their MER. What are your thoughts and possible options?

Q: I would like to add some preferred shares with the reset option. I do need income in the 6 percent range. Any ideas?

Q: Which Bond funds in Canada should increase in price and value as interest rates are increasing gradually...And which would you recommend the most for yield and increase?
Thanks

Q: Hi Peter, I have 10.6% of my portfolio in VXC. My goal for investments outside Canada is 15%. Should I include companies like MFC in this? If so what would be your favourite TSX company for this type of investment? Also, at what level CAD would you sell a hedged ETF like VXC? Thanks.

Q: I hold MXF TSX and i was wondering what your thoughts are for this fund, it did not pop up in your data base when I entered it.
https://www.firstasset.com/solutions/overview/?fund=First+Asset+Can-Materials+Covered+Call+ETF

thank you
nb

Q: Peter, please advise how you would allocate $13,500 in an RESP for an 8 year old. Currently $10,500 is in the CIBC Managed Growth Portfolio; what do you think of it ? Thank you.

Q: What etf holds visa as a significant holding ? James

Q: Hello to all at 5i:
Is there some proxy you can suggest to gain an alternative exposure to the telecom sector other than the traditional companies in the space? I own Telus common shares and Bell preferreds and don’t want to increase those positions but am still underweight the sector. I’m really not interested in owning “more of the same” in Canada (RCI.B) and really don’t want Vodofone, AT&T, Verizon or a U.S. telecom ETF (which I think will be largely the latter two companies?). All I really see are slowing revenues and slowing dividends and lackluster share performance. I’m having trouble identifying opportunities that fit my usual investment thesis in this sector. Is there another way to play it that I’m not seeing?
Thanks for your thoughts,

Q: Do you recommend buying individual bonds through a discount brokerage account or simply an etf for fixed income ? Would it generate about the same return ? Would you know about the fee through discount brokerage account (it seems to be hidden in the YTM)? I d also be interested in members tips or comments if any. Thank you !

Q: Hello 5i,
I currently have $25,000 invested in several dripped TD E funds for my two grandchildren ages 6 and 9. Progress seems slow. Should I just leave things alone or should I replace this with VDY and CDZ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Stanley

Q: 1). What do you think of India as an investment in the next two years?
2) Which of the two efts, ZID or XID, would you choose and why?
3) Is there an alternative Foreign ETF you would prefer?

Q: Gentlemen Good Morning,
Please can you comments on BCI.
I don't have commodities on my PF, I wish to add 2%.
Any alternative to BCI ?
Thanks
Best Regards

Q: Only have room for one of these in my TFSA. Could you rank them?
Another question. Is there any easy way to find information on a particular investment in previous monthly ETF & Mutual Fund Updates?
Thanks again for all your help.

Q: Due you think LIT is a good long term hold in light of the recent Morgan Stanley report ? I currently have a half position. Thanks for your input, This is a great service.

Q: Hi, I've had some good experience experimenting with $US stocks in that I've experienced gains, but have also noticed the withholding tax on dividends in my cash account. I'm now restructuring a bit by selling off AT&T which has gained and has as well a 5%+ dividend (I'll repurchase in RRSP) and am looking at various ETFs tracking the S&P or specific sectors like banks. My question is whether any of them distribute $US cash dividends which I seek to use for travel in the US. I'm looking at ETFs like ZDY.U, HUBL.U or any others that may have come across your radar. Thank you for your excellent services, they have helped me enormously. Cheers.

Q: What are the basic differences between Pimco's PMO005 and PMIF, and what are the Mer's.
Thank you