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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: Just a followup comment to today's Q&A on Hamilton Capital Global Financials Yield ETF as I am interested in product for the global exposure it provides.

The HFY Fact sheets does have the ETF at 9.1% Canada and it also contains REITS at 6.1% and Insurance at 16%
It trades at 1.4x book, is that a concern and why might there be such a premium?

Thanks,
Craig
Read Answer Asked by Craig on February 23, 2018
Q: 47% of XEG is made up of Suncor and CNQ. Whereas the top seven holdings of ZEO are equally weighted around 7-9 % among energy companies.
Can you please provide your insight as to which of the two ETF's will rise more if and when the oil prices will rise? As well, which ETF you will recommend?
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Terry on February 22, 2018
Q: Hi 5I, I will appreciate your help in picking the best of intc or csco and or suggesting better choices for safety and growth, and the same for zem or xec.
Many thaks, J.A.P, burlington
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on February 22, 2018
Q: I'm looking for recommendations on how best to invest USD 175k sitting in cash since last week. Though tempted by the US buying opportunities, I've been avoiding buying US shares directly due the hassles and costs of US tax exposure. I've only bought 50 shares of ZSP.U so far. Is this a good place to invest more? Can you recommend other good investment vehicles for a non-registered portfolio that will capture US growth/income without currency exchange or US tax?
Read Answer Asked by Randolph on February 20, 2018
Q: Thanks for the recommendation on XIC. As with many ETFs linked to the Cdn market, it appears to be weighted to financials, energy and materials (~ 65%). If you were to want to cover the Canadian market in a more balanced way (sector-wise) by owning XIC and a few stocks, what stocks would you add on? Please prefer BE stocks. This is for an RRSP with a 30-year horizon. Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on February 20, 2018
Q: Vanguard has come out with some total portfolio ETFS and I'm wondering what you think of them. They include a basket of vanguard ETFS, a low MER and are rebalanced regularly. I have two questions:

1. I was thinking of using one for my 2 year old daughters RESP. What are your thoughts on this? And if you like the idea would you go with VGRO or VBAL?

2. I 'm also considering maybe using them for my RRSP in the future as it would be an easy solution. However, you've mentioned before never to have more than 10% in one ETF? So in this case how safe would it be for someone to have their whole RRSP in this? Does the fact that it is made up of underlying ETFS make a difference? If at some point vanguard decided to discontinue the product, what would happen to the money?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on February 16, 2018
Q: For increased international exposure I’m thinking of either VDU or VXUS. To buy VXUS, I would need to convert $C to $US. I currently have approximately 24% of my portfolio in $US, and this conversion would increase that to 28% or so. Which option do you think I should choose?
Read Answer Asked by Jim on February 16, 2018
Q: Hi,
This is a follow up to your answer regarding my original question on Feb 14th regarding ETFs in the US Aerospace and Defense sector. Your answer focused my attention on the expense ratio as the main factor in choosing among ETFs with a similar theme, and you offered that 5 year average returns should also be considered. However, I am wondering if the dividends paid should also be a part of the decision? If yes, then as a general rule, ETF dividends would be considered only if all else is equal? Between the three ETFs, PPA pays .2504, XAR pays .0938 and ITA pays .3205. All are listed as quarterly payments. Thanks for helping out with my learning curve!
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on February 16, 2018
Q: Is this a good Div ETF US oil/gas energy distribution to remain in? I am down a bit on currency slide in MAV so wish to remain hoping for a lower CAD or simply to remain bec of 8.19% Div, would appreciate your comment
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on February 16, 2018
Q: Good morning.... we are 15 years away before we may need to access our RRSP..
We sold all enegy (although would be okay with one "best of class" or ETF)..
I have a solid mix of similar weightings (BCE,BEP.UN,BNS,PBH,ATD.B,FSZ,SJ,GUD SIS). I would like fixed income/US/International exposure...I will be adding XHY..
I am looking for suggestions for either a few ETF you recommend for US/International exposure...keeping in mind we would not need to withdraw for at least 15 years..and if you think should have a minimum of 5% in energy or alternate AI ETF...

Thanks
Matt
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on February 15, 2018
Q: Hi guys, I just opened an RESP for my 4 month old and have $5k to invest for his future education. Obviously I have a long term outlook. I'm contemplating buying a single ETF, for example VXC, or a solid dividend paying company, like BNS or ENB. The latter is pretty beaten up so there could be some growth there as well. I hold all 3 mentioned funds/stocks in my RRSP/TFSA mix. Which way would you lean and/or is there a better place to invest right now?
thanks for the great resource guys!
cheers,
Mark
Read Answer Asked by Mark on February 15, 2018
Q: Please give me your opinion of the Manulife Mutifactor ETFs, sub-advised by Dimensional Fund Advisors. Which would you recommend among the Manulife Mutlifactor Int'l Equity ETF (MINT), HXDM, HADM or other International Equity ETF in a taxable account?
Thanks,
Gerry
Read Answer Asked by Gerry on February 14, 2018
Q: Hi,
I am thinking that the recent drop may present an opportunity to enter into the US Aerospace & Defense sector at a bit of a discount. Is it better to use ETFs, or choose one or two top rated stocks? I don't know how you compare the costs of ETFs and could use a primer on what to look for / what to avoid when considering them, as I mostly use stocks or debentures.
As always, we appreciate you're thoughts and insight.
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on February 14, 2018
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