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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: What do you think of GREK as an investment (and why it’s been falling lately)? The only professional endorsement I’m aware of is James Thorne’s on BNN back in May. I’m wondering if it’s a good time to get in.

Generally speaking, do you frown on country-specific ETFs, or would you make some exceptions (like India or Russia), especially for long term holds? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on October 10, 2017
Q: Hi,

I am looking for a good emerging markets ETF. In my screens there are so many to choose from and many with high Dividends, along with very strong gains, which of course I like. Since I know nothing about which countries and sectors to look for, could you recommend 2 or 3 good Emerging Market ETFS, preferably with a solid dividend and high growth potential, and also at a value price if possible. I am not overly concerned about risk and have no exposure in this area. Thank You.
Read Answer Asked by John on October 10, 2017
Q: I've been looking for Canadian based ETFs which hold US techs. There doesn't seem to be very much available. The only ones I've found are QRT and FHQ, and the MER on the latter seems too high. Would you recommend either or would it be better to simply buy a US ETF?
Read Answer Asked by John on October 10, 2017
Q: Awhile back you suggested for my daughter age. 27 the following ..50% VCN,30% VFV,15% XIN and VEE 5%. . IS this still recommended as she has some more funds to invest.and only wants ETF's .Happy Thanksgiving Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 10, 2017
Q: Good Day,

Assuming that one holds the view that the junior mining space will see greater activity in the next few months/years, and assuming that you do not wish to hold individual positions, but would rather have broader exposure to the sector in general, is there any CDN vehicle other than ZJG that you would recommend?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on October 10, 2017
Q: I am considering a cyber security ETF. There seem to two based in the US (HACK & CIBR)and one Canadian that can be hedged or not hedged (CYBR & CYBR.B).

The Canadian listed ones don't seem to have much volume but are also pretty new.

Would you have a preference or one that you would recommend?
Read Answer Asked by David on October 05, 2017
Q: I am a retired, conservative dividend-income investor with a company pension, CPP, annuities, Fisgard Capital and the following equities:
1. 17% Mutual funds (RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry REIT)
2. 10% ETFs (ZLB, XIT, ZWE)
3. 41% stocks (listed above)
4. 32% fixed income (annuities, Fisgard, but not including my pension nor CPP).

I plan to reduce my Sentry Cdn Income holding from 9% to 5% and purchase ZWC. The benefits would be a) saving $1k in hidden MER fees, b) receiving an extra $1k in dividends and c) a better asset allocation. I like the covered call strategy that ZWC provides, as well as the 30 companies inside the ETF.

Question = is this the right ETF product? Are there other Canadian Covered Call ETF choices that offer this diversified asset mix that I should consider? Are their other ETFs that have slightly less financials, less utilities, and more industrials that would result in a better asset allocation for me?

Thanks for your help...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on October 05, 2017
Q: Just sold my house and not planning to buy one within half a year. I am using part of the proceeds investing in 5i stocks. I want to park the rest of the money somewhere relatively safe for a quarter or half a year. Looking at XHY.to, CVD.to, CPD.to, even KWH_u.to, ALAr.to. A bank is giving you nothing. Please advice
Read Answer Asked by Dong Sheng on October 05, 2017
Q: Peter and Team,

I was curious on your thoughts on the HYLD ETF managed by Peritus. Tim Gramatovich seems like a smart guy with a cautious approach. The yield on the fund is high (approximately matches the yield of the bond/loan book based on a cursory look) and it appears that one would make some money on this holding for the last while considering the NAV and the yield. Your thoughts and a quick confirmation of what you see as the total annual return of this ETF for the last few years would be much appreciated! Looking back 5 years, it looks like the NAV of the ETF got hit pretty hard by the High Yield crisis that was going on a few years back.

Thanks,

Marc
Read Answer Asked by Marc on October 04, 2017
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