Investment Q&A

Q: Recently you answered my question regarding US dividend WHT on Canadian domiciled ETF issues (Vanguard Canada, RBC Ishares etc) and noted that withholding taxes are owing on distributions since the Canadian ETF is simply holding the US ETF and the taxes would be levied when distributions are paid by the US ETF to the Canadian ETF.

Some follow up questions:
- I am assuming that the WHT would apply even if the Canadian ETF is held within a registered account?
- Does the WHT explain part of the difference in yield when comparing the US ETF and the Canadian ETF? For example - VIG yields 1.69% while VGG yields 1.17%. Assuming also that the higher MER on VGG also explains part of the yield difference??
- Given these factors - the WHT and higher MER - why would anyone choose the Canadian version of the same ETF. Further to this - In another question posed by Jacques - you point out that the Canadian ETF ZSP would be preferable to VFV since it holds the stocks directly and not thru the US ETF VOO....thereby avoiding WHT's for registered accounts. However - when you look at VOO - the yield is about 26 bp's higher than either VFV and ZSP....again why would you not just buy VOO.

Many thanks

Q: I own HHL and LIFE (two separate accounts). They aren't looking too healthy lately. What are the likely reasons? Trump, cover calls, interest rates, time of year, etc?
Thank You, Merry Christmas

Q: For a non -registered account what would be safer for longer hold and dividend ZMI or CT REIT ?

Q: Good morning
Sorry for the error in my previous question for income purposes what would be your choice between Hmax and Bank (evolve) and why .
thanks in advance Georges

Q: With the recent declines, in what order will you invest in the above mentioned companies and why

Q: Hello Folks:

Now that Chairman Powell has clearly stated that people should NOT expect aggressive rate cuts, how do you think it will impact Small caps? Will they languish for some more time?

IF, a big IF, Small caps do come alive, do you think one should hold more of Small cap growth or Small cap Value?

Also your word of wisdom about buying Small caps over Mid caps? Wouldn't the latter (Mid caps) benefit more if the interest rates remain the same, more or less? Here the assumption is that the rate cuts will benefit Small caps.

Many thanks in advance!

Q: what are your thoughts about ZMMK? what are the risks?
Is it better to store cash in a HISA ?
Same as JPST what are the risks and this is in US dollar only?
you think JPST is safe ?

Q: I am starting a non-registered portfolio. I would like exposure to the US tech market.
Here are 2 questions:
What are the tax implications of an ETF? (I have read several suggested documents in the Questions section of your website but I am still not sure about the tax cost). Are there any costs other than the MER to hold an ETF?
I am looking at XSP, XUS, VFV.
Thanks.

Q: i will be selling iwo for a tax loss. I wonder whether you might suggest the best replacement for it, ie in terms of a small or medium cap etf? thanks as always for your excellent counsel

Q: Hello Team,
Which of thes two ETFs do you prefer and why. My though is that topt is not diverse enough. Also, what percentage in a portfolio would you be comfortable allocating to each?
Another question! Bkng has been off some lately. Do you consider it to be basing or is it a larger issue in your opinion?
Thank You,
Barry

Q: Best holdings for a US dolar RRIF, I already have QQQ and SPY, up sustantially and think I should take some profit and redeploy the cash. lookings fior capital appreciation not dividends
Thanks for good advice as always

Q: I have some money parked in CBIL and UBIL. Can you suggest any other comparable short-term T-bill ETFs?

Q: I am curious what information you have on BITW and your opinion on the crypto market as a whole. It has a 2.5% mer but remarkable performance YTD. I presently hold IBIT and ETHQ and until recently was a doubter but can not argue with returns to date.

Q: Could you recommend a few ETFs trading in CAD that would provide exposure to healthcare. A couple of ETFs for growth and a couple for Income using covered calls.

Q: Can I get your opinion on investing in South Korea? I know it is unlikely to be a focus area of 5i, but in your experience, do political issues (in relatively stable countries) represent good buying opportunities?

Q: Thank you for your answer just now to my question on ILCV and VLUE. Your comments useful, thank you.
A clarification, please. Would I be correct in assuming from your answer that you do not particularly like EITHER one of the ETFs identified? Wanted to confirm just in case my conclusion is mistaken. Many thanks. :ao:sab

Q: I read your recent comments on small caps. What are your favorite US small cap ETFs and your favorite Canadian small cap ETFs.
Thanks,
Mark

Q: Is the following true for holding the ETF ZID within a non-registered account:

- Does not have to be declared on the T1135 form.

- Distribution may contain Return of Capital (ROC) which itself is not taxed, but does affect the ACB of the shares.

- Distribution may contain (non-eligible?) dividends.

- Distribution may contain income which is taxed at the same rate as ordinary income , but at the highest marginal tax bracket.

- Distribution is not grossed up (i.e. the dreaded negative effect on OAS).

Q: Can you provide cdn and us stocks/etfs that own physical gold and silver (not the miner) that has good liquidity. Thank you.

Q: is this a good way to put cash to US dollars while we wait to see how negative the trump effect is going to be on the Canadian dollar/economy
Is there a better way that you would recommend
Many thanks