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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: Good day Peter and 5i Team,

This question is basically about asset allocation. My goal is to gain more exposure to global markets as opposed to the Canadian market. (United State, Europe, and Asian markets). I would like to gain this exposure by investing in, what you consider to be the highest quality ETF'S currently available with exposure to these markets. I understand there are countless possiblites available; therein lies my problem, but I would appreciate keeping the number of ETF'S to a minimum. So, what is your best investment for in each of the sectors for capital gains, some dividend support, and lower fees for overall investment appreciation?
-Europe?
-Asia?
-United States?
Keeping in mind the current condition of the world economy, what percentage of my funds would you designate to each ETF?
Thanks-you for your continued support.
Read Answer Asked by Les on July 13, 2017
Q: The fact sheet for Vanguard etf VIG and VCR mentioned the fund total net assets and the share class total net assets. What is the meaning of those terms?

For Vig the total net assets amount to $30.2B and the share class total net assets amount to $24.4B and for VCR those respective numbers are$2.5b and $2.3B.
What is the reason for the difference between the two number and why is it that the difference is larger for certain ETF?
Read Answer Asked by Monique on July 12, 2017
Q: Hello. My 31 year-old son has been diligently saving for his future retirement, and has a combined portfolio of $80,000 (TFSA & RRSP). The money is mostly divided between Canada (45%) and USA (44%), with a small bit in the International market (11%). Under your advice last year, he sold his Canadian ETFs and bought some individual stocks. The result is amazingly better than the index, so THANK YOU!

Now, I'm wondering about his US portfolio. In the US part of the portfolio, he has several ETFs: VFV, VGG, ZLU, XSP - 42%, ZQQ- 18%, Health - XLV - 12%, and a remaining $10084 CAD cash (28%) that can be dedicated to US equities. What should he do with the money?

Alternatives: 1) increase his US ETFs. 2) buy individual stocks. 3) wait until the dip...
What should be the strategy for this portfolio? I'm interested in buying GOOG for him for a long term hold, but the price is too high for such a small portfolio. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Esther on July 12, 2017
Q: Good Afternoon: I am thinking of increasing my exposure to the materials sector (principally North America but am open to international) and would like to do so through an etf. I already have an approx. 7% exposure to energy (mostly Cdn.) and less than 1% each to gold and materials. Would you please recommend an etf that you believe to be a good option for me here. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on July 12, 2017
Q: I would like to invest n the US healthcare and have been recommended to invest in TMO but since this Would be the only stock in the healthcare that I would invest in I think it might be better to invest in a healthcare ETF and have found IXJ and IHI and wonder if better to invest in an ETF or ok just to invest in one US healthcare stock? If an ETF which one would you prefer?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked on July 12, 2017
Q: Hello Peter, Like most of us, are concern about the effect of the coming rate increases. How safe will the above preferred shares be, would you consider them as good choices for income and safety? Also, can you suggest equivalents in the Canadian market? Many thanks for your valued advise, J.A. P. Burlington
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on July 10, 2017
Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Could you please give me your thoughts on preferred shares in general given the current interest rate environment and the pending rate hike by BOC in about a week's time. Please also provide some names of ETFs of preferred stocks in both Canadian and US denominations.

Cheers,
Harry
Read Answer Asked by Harry on July 10, 2017
Q: I currently hold ZRE for income. If I were to replace it with 4-5 individual REITS, which ones should I pick, in addition to CSH.UN? Would ZRE or the portfolio of individual REITS be more appropriate for a long-term hold with equal consideration to distribution yield and safety of the distribution? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Walter on July 07, 2017
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