Investment Q&A

Q: Global X total return funds have been your recommendation for taxable accounts for quite a while. However, recently, I have observed an alarming trend with the largest of their ETFs, such as HXS, HXT, and HSAV: the premiums have been shrinking significantly, and HXS now trades below NAV. I have more than half of my investments in these three funds, so I am really concerned about this situation. Do you have any explanation as to why the premiums on total return funds have been shrinking and even turned into discounts?

Q: In a recent question you stated "Alternatively to VFV, we also like ZSP, which focuses on the S&P 500, and it has some tax benefits given that it holds the US stocks directly." Could you elaborate on the tax benefits? Thanks for your help.

Q: Hell 5i I am considering selling BMO shares holdings and RY holdings as they in their higher price range. Sell high buy low! My plan is to reap the profit to buy ZEB. I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you

Q: I initiated a small position a few months ago and it has not done anything. Is it worth holding and adding to it or sell and invest money some place else. Your views please. Thanks

Q: Hi team,
Is the dividend from an etf such as CASH taxed as bank interest or as a dividend and eligible for the div tax credit ?

Thanks
Shane

Q: I am two years before retirement and have a moderate risk profile. My current allocation is 25% Canada, 70% US, 5% Developed, and 0% Developing. Considering the state of the economy in Canada and Trump's threats about tariffs, I am wondering whether it's a good idea to decrease my allocation for Canada to 20% and instead allocate 3% to VWO and 2% to ILF. What's your opinion on this? Where do you anticipate better returns—in Canada or in the emerging markets covered by VWO and ILF?

Q: Can you suggest an us etf, where I can park us cash while waiting to invest? Thank you Ruth

Q: Merry Christmas to the staff.
i'm 81 just floating until the end of the road,I'm considering adding to my TSFA only for income purposes, PDO , PDI.CAN., and or ZWU which of the 3 you consider the safest bet,Are these US.income funds affected by N.R. tax .

Tnks.

Dan

Q: Hello,

Thoughts on long term durations in Canada? Good entry for XLB?

Thanks.

Q: Which one do you prefer for a 3 year hold? Thanks

Q: good morning:
if you were going to start buying a etf today that had low costs [mer] in canadian dollars and invested outside of canada and paid a decent dividend which 5 would you look at? can be small cap, european, etc

Q: Out of these three all-in-one ETFs:
1) Which one is most tax efficient in a un-registered account?
2) Which one is most tax efficient in a registered account?
3) Which one is better to invest for longer term of 10+ years?

Q: What etf (s) do you like US small cap for a USD account

Q: I currently hold CALF and SLYV-A as part of my small-cap part of my portfolio. SLYV is up 21.05%, while CALF is only 5.21% in one year. IWM is up 28.42% in the same period. I want to sell CALF and buy IWM. Alternatively, buy IWR as a mid-cap may have better potential.

Q: Given current market conditions, what would be the major headwinds facing ZCS? It seems fairly resilient during Dow declines. Thanks.

Q: What do you think of the 30 stock holdings in this etf, cover most bases for a good etf holding?
Thanks again

Q: Looking at your income portfolio I see CPD is down ~24% but when I look at the chart it has never been higher, how can that b

Q: Most of my TFSA is in Canadian stocks (plus some US CDRs GOOGL, MSFT, AMZN). Now I'm thinking of adding 2 ETFs to my unregistered account. So far, my first choice is VFV, because I know you like it. But you mentioned another one that broadens out from the S&P 500. Not sure about that one: thoughts? But I want one more, particularly with dividend and some growth. If there is a USA one that, like VFV, trades in Canada TSX but pays dividends in US dollars, that might work nicely. Alternatively, maybe a Canadian one that is not too focused on Financials and Energy, one with which I could get dividend tax credit, may work. Between dividend and growth, I would lean toward growth and sacrifice some dividend. Between Canada and USA, I'd like USA, but only if I can buy on TSX. I'd like to stick to just two, but maybe three would work best? What say you? Thank you, yet again, for such a fabulous service.

Q: If I understand correctly, HHL is a Canadian ETF that holds US or maybe global Health Care stocks, and HHL.U is the same fund in US$.
For US$ Health Care covered call ETF, would you recommend the HHL.U or would some other similar ETF be more suitable?
Thank you
jerry

Q: On Oct 22, concerning ELV's quarterly results, you said, "a key issue was the 'timing mismatch' between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the higher healthcare needs of members" - an issue linked to post-COVID resumption of full-service healthcare.

But isn't this a case of 'one-off' cyclicality in an industry which was assumed to be secular? In which case, doesn't ELV become mis-priced as reimbursements and higher needs fall back into balance?

Finally, to operationalize this strategy, would it be preferable to seek-out the most beaten-down health insurer (perhaps you have suggestions), or to pick something like IHF (ditto)?