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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: Hi.

XIU is mentioned in your latest newsletter (February 10 2019 I Volume 25 I Issue 2) under 'iShares S&P/TSX 60 (XIU)', but XIC is used in all three of your model ETF portfolios. Can you explain which one you prefer and why.

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 13, 2019
Q: Hi.

Currently moving my portfolio from mostly stocks to mostly ETFs. Was reading your latest ETF & Mutual Fund Update newsletter (February 10 2019 I Volume 25 I Issue 2) where I read this under 'Exchange-Traded Funds For Your RRSP':

'When it comes to Canadian-listed funds that hold U.S. equities or hold U.S.-listed ETFs it is best to avoid them because U.S. dividend income is taxed on your behalf.'

I also see XHC (CAN), listed in your Growth ETF Portfolio (Oct/11/2018), has only one holding: IXJ ETF (USA). Based on above, would it then not be better to hold IXJ directly in a USA $ RRSP account), if one is not concerned about CAN/USA $ hedging?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 13, 2019
Q: Trying to get a bit more geographic diversification in a TFSA account that is, at present, all Canadian equities. Would you suggest something like HXS for US diversification with the swap arrangement to limit tax implications? Or would something like VGRO make more sense with greater geographic diversification and a little fixed income?

Thanks for the great service,

Doug
Read Answer Asked by Doug on February 13, 2019
Q: I bought this etf when it launched October 2017. Even though the volume has been frightening low, I'm comfortable with the channel it trades in, and I like the income. With shrinking global growth and debt concerns can this etf survive or should I sell now while the unit price is near the top of its channel?
Read Answer Asked by Patti on February 13, 2019
Q: Hi Peter & Ryan,
Would appreciate your opinion on simplifying my mother's portfolio. The portfolio is worth 600K and I currently hold the following ETF's. VCN, VFV, XSP, VBAL, VGRO, VVL, XIN, VEE, XWD. I definately have duplication and believe I can downsize to 3 ETF's VBAL, VGRO and I like XWD for their global allocation and sector weighting.
Thoughts? And would you put 200K in each one?
Thanks,
Steve
Read Answer Asked by Steve on February 12, 2019
Q: HI,
Are there any tax consequences keeping these in TFSA account.

Thanks,
Milan


Read Answer Asked by Milan on February 12, 2019
Q: I currently have an RESP invested in the Mawer Balanced Fund (MAW104) which I've been pleased with performance (we'll be needing it in about 6-7 years). Considering switching this to either XBAL or VBAL to lower fees and hopefully improve returns accordingly.

I've read some of your answers to Mawer Balanced vs. the XBAL and VBAL ETF's. Would like your opinion on XBAL vs. VBAL for this account. The new XBAL mandate is pretty much the same as VBAL, but it's MER is slightly lower at 0.18% vs. 0.22%. XBAL is much smaller than VBAL currently, but I expect will catch up quickly, and they'll probably match MER's over time.

Do you recommend either of XBAL or VBAL over each other, and suggest even bothering switching from Mawer Balanced Fund in the first place? They all seem like good options!
Read Answer Asked by Alan on February 12, 2019
Q: Hi

Im planning to invest an etf(VFV) for my wife for a retirement fund(15 yr horizon).I will be doing it for 100/week.Just want to ask your opinion at which acct is better to put it for tax purposes.Also can you recommend other ETF’s that I can pick?

As always your comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


Read Answer Asked by sunday on February 12, 2019
Q: Hi Just a follow up on my question re ETF's in Tax Advantaged Accounts
I neglected to add VGT and XLP and are in my non registered account or taxable account.
Would you have any suggestions to change and to what to make them more tax friendly.
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on February 12, 2019
Q: I am looking to invest in ETF's that are in the Articifical Intelligence and Robotic areas that trade on the Canadian exchange. Horizon has Mind for AI and Rbot for the Robotics but the average daily volumes are very small. Can you recommend any other ETF's I could consider. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on February 11, 2019
Q: Hello,

When will your next ETF Recommend List be updated? I'm a subscriber of this service and in the middle of planning my investment strategy. Are you envisioning any major differences from the one published in Nov 2018?
Read Answer Asked by Loretta on February 11, 2019
Q: Which of the etf ZDY or VOO would you pick for RRSP (20 yrs time frame) or maybe
other better choice. In Canadian securities option we selected MAW106 or maybe other fund or etf, same time frame.
Read Answer Asked by Jacek on February 08, 2019
Q: Hi,
I’m looking at a long term (30 year) rrsp portfolio. What do you think of making it up of these 4 etfs? Do you think long term it’s better to have the hedged or unhedged versions (where applicable)? I’m thinking 25%vfv, 25%vef, 20%xqq and 20%vdy. Then 10% in cash for buying dips when I see them. I’ll also be using any drips (even proxy drips if needed) as well as adding new funds every 3-6 months and rebalancing annually (unless there’s some major movement before that). Do you see any areas that are too redundant or underrepresented?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by david on February 08, 2019
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