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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: For US stock exposure, is it better to hold the CAD or USD version. Does the CAD version have and exchange fees. Does it hedge out currency exposure.
Also as its traded on the TSX, I understand its does not count as a US stock holding so no US estate tax exposure for non-registered accounts. Are there other similar ETF's
Read Answer Asked by Lloyd on April 04, 2017
Q: Hi Peter, could you please suggest a silver etf one in canada and one in u.s.a. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Alnoor on April 03, 2017
Q: Hi
I am looking for your top pic for Secure High Dividend ETF's - One Canadian Equity and One USA. I am also looking for High Dividend Growth ETF's (Like CDZ) - One More Canadian and One USA
Read Answer Asked by Ron on April 03, 2017
Q: Can you give me your opinion on RIT, XUT AND HWF. I am looking primarily for yield but also some growth potential.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on April 03, 2017
Q: What are the your favorite High Income Bond Funds (Canadian, USA and International) - Best Management and volitility
Read Answer Asked by Ron on April 03, 2017
Q: Last February you did a portfolio review for me and it has served me very well. At that time ETF ZUH was recommended for healthcare exposure. Subsequently, I have recently subscribed to ETF & Mutual Fund newsletter. I noticed ZUH is not in your list of recommended healthcare ETFs but XHC is on the list. It has probably been so for a while and just did not notice. Should I switch out of ZUH and into XHC?
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on April 03, 2017
Q: I have looked at investing directly in India via ETF'S.
I have identified two, ZID or XID, which would you prefer, or perhaps an alternative.
Or would it be better to do so using a general emerging markets ETF like VEE?
Read Answer Asked by Peter on March 31, 2017
Q: My emerging markets exposure is currently 100% weighted in India via Farifax India HLDGS. I am looking at adding either Russia (RSX) or South Africa (FAH-U) to the mix. Which country do you feel has the better growth potential or is there a third country you prefer at this time? Is this targeted country focus better than an emerging markets ETF like ZEM?
Your thoughts and feedback is greatly appreciated and I understand this is outside of your coverage universe
Read Answer Asked by Craig on March 30, 2017
Q: You were not enthused with this issue when it did an IPO on November 1,2016. Have you changed you view? If not what would you recommend as a good place to park cash.
The cash balance usually $100K would fluctuate; but would never go to Zero.

Thanks Team
Read Answer Asked by Warren on March 30, 2017
Q: I currently have 8% of my portfolio in VFV and VUN to achieve direct US exposure. Would you agree that I should aim at 30% US equities? Is VFV and VUN a good way to achieve this goal?
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on March 30, 2017
Q: Greetings 5i,

I was reading an article on MorningStar regarding TDs recently launched ETF based "Portfolio" Mutual funds all with "low MERs" of 0.08%. I was interested in your thoughts on these funds, positives and negatives, confirmation of MERs, as well as where I would be able to find a list of each funds holding as information seems a little sparse.

(http://cawidgets.morningstar.ca/ArticleTemplate/ArticleGL.aspx?culture=en-CA&id=799062)

TDB3175
TDB3176
TDB3177
TDB3178

Cheers!
Read Answer Asked by Duane on March 30, 2017
Q: Hi,

When holding various ETF's in your portfolio, should you account for the sector weighting within the ETF towards your sector allocation of your total portfolio? For example, VDY, sector weighting is tilted mostly 62% financials and 21% energy. So lets say VDY is 10% of your portfolio, would you add 6.2% of this towards financials, 2.1% energy, etc..?? I see that RY, TD, and BNS make up the top three holdings, so would you still even consider buying individual financial stocks if this allocation made up your full financial sector weight in your portfolio?

I understand that for specific sector ETF's, like ZUH that focus on healthcare or ZBK that focus on financials, you can count 100% towards that sector allocation in your portfolio. I'm just wondering if I should be doing this with those ETF's that hold more unequal sector weights within the ETF and how to account for those so I'm not too overweight in a specific sector in my portfolio. And how about those ETF's like VCN, where you have four sectors that make up 80% of the weight. Am I overthinking this?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on March 30, 2017
Q: hello 5i:
2 questions.

I am interested in the fund above, and the question asked by Robert yesterday. One thing I can't quite understand: how is the fund generating a (greater than) 6% return. How is the fund able to do this with present interest rates? Through leverage?

Could you give me your opinion on the CEF WEC (Western Asset Premier Bond Fund), and would you consider this a viable holding in a TFSA?
thanks
Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 30, 2017
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