Investment Q&A

Q: One of the key items I have learned since subscribing to 5i is the importance of diversification. With that, I have a couple questions related to this:
1) I have approximately 25 stocks in my portfolio. I know it's difficult question without the names, but is this generally too many for the average investor?
2) Being in Canada, I constantly hear that most portfolios simply cannot be diversified without going abroad. Do you think this is true? If so, are there some recommended ETFs (in Canadian dollars preferably) that contain sectors we cannot get in Canada and provide a more balanced portfolio? (ie. not energy, financials, materials)

Q: Hi 5i
I currently hold both model portfolios with SLW & G for 3% combined and FM for 2%. Do you believe that my position in gold is enough or would this be a good time to add XGD with it under $10 for a 2% position.
Thanks for your help
Kevin

Q: I'm interested in income with growth if it happens, but not a major consideration. For the 10% utilities holdings I'm looking at equal amounts of VNR and ZUT. What would you suggest if you don't see this as a good idea. Thanks.....

Q: Due to fiduciary resposibilities, I am looking for ETF's that invest exclusively in investment-gade Canadian debt instruments, which could include quasi-debt such as preferred shares. Do you have any suggestions?

Q: hello, for fixed income portion of portfolio do you consider bonds as a better bet or stable low beta low risk utility/toll collector type stocks - ie BEP.UN, BCE etc. if bonds then which you recommend in current environment - XHY or cbo or chb or cab. if other category, then which ones you rec. thanks.

Q: How does this look to you at this time? I will have some money to invest about mid-November and have presently very little US exposure.

Q: Hi Peter and 5iResearch team,
Can you please advise regarding the security of a purchase in ishares gold trust, IGT or SPRD Gold Trust, GLD relative to purchase of gold bullion itself. Do you think its a good time to purchase at these valuations primarily as a form of insurance. Also, do you think the recent increase in OPEC oil supply (and corresponding cheap selling in asian markets) in response to US production will continue longer term. Or is this a good buying opportunity?

Q: Good day
My daughter(45 years old and married with 2 young children) has recently received an unexpected gift equating to about 1/3 of her current investments in mutual funds.She plans to invest these new funds in equities/fixed income in a registered plan. Considering the current market situation, what would you suggest for a balanced investment at this time or should she wait for some stability to return to the market?

Q: Please provide your thoughts on two funds in the precious metals sector.
1. Sentry Precious Metals Growth Fund
2. Precious Metals and Mining Trust

Are either worth keeping and are there EFT's that you would recommend instead?

Q: Is this fund affected by the falling Canadian dollar?

Thanks
Dolores

Q: Hi team, a quick comment first: For some new investors out there I have been through many corrections since going it alone without a broker. Just hold tight, collect dividends, DRIP what you can, good companies will survive. My question is that I have some cash on hand and I am giving some serious looks at buying some HEX for the dividend, maybe in a week or so. Time to buy when everyone else is selling, thoughts? Thanks.

Q: Hello,
If I buy an ETF such as XIU now, in the latter part of 2014,
I will get only the December dividend payment. Will I, however get a 2014 tax slip showing all the distributions for the entire year?
If so, at what date in December do I have to sell the ETF to avoid getting this tax slip?
Do these rules also hold true for ETFs held in the US such as EWU or VGK?
Thanks for your help.

Q: Good morning everybody at 5i .I am fully invested in the model portfolio and would like to use ETFs to invest outside of Canada.what market conditions would allow you to buy into the Russell 2000 ,S&p 500,Europe and Asia.everybody excepting the North American pullback but not so positive on Europe or Asia.thank you for your response and enjoy your Thanksgiving long weekend.

Q: I have primarily a Canadian investment portfolio (with large caps and many of the 5i stocks) but have some money in a US dollar account that needs to be invested. Is there a US sector or stock(s) that you would suggest for investment? Thanks!

Q: what is your view between CBO and VSC.Any preference?
I see you have CVD in income portfolio,why? Have 160K to allocate to fix income in my RRSP.loOking at CBO,VSC (REAL SHORT TERM),CVD,XHY.
US industrial really taking a hit!Just a correction?UTX,FLR,PCP,BA.

Q: Hello,
Just wondering of your thoughts on an investment in Europe and Emerging Markets/Asia and what %'s in a aggressive portfolio. Thanks Again!

Q: Hi team:
I owned XTR for a few years in my RRSP, it generates about 5% yield per month but compared to FIE, another ETF, it has underperformed, the later has alot of Cdn Banks in it, probably accounting for the better performances; as the interest rate might edged up slowly, it could put a negative return on XTR as it has more bonds and preferred shares in its holdings, as an investor in his early 60s, I wonder if I should switch XTR (about 50%) to FIE due to the impending interest rate increase which they have been talking for the last 3 years ? Thanks! have a good day and looking forward to hear from you

Q: Hello Peter and team,

I am looking to get some exposure to the US market via an ETF in a non-registered account. My criteria is that the ETF must pay a dividend and have some growth potential; this is for a 3+ year hold, medium risk investor. Searching through the Q&As it looks like your favourite US ETFs would be SPY, IWO and VIG. Based on the current market environment which is your favourite ETF that will meet my criteria today?

Can you remind me about the withholding tax issue? Is it worth the hassle of the withholding tax, or is it better to get a Canadian $ hedged ETF instead (and which one)?

If I buy before the end of the year, will I get a large taxable distribution (e.g. IWO in Dec 2012)? Is it better to wait until January to buy? Many years ago I bought a mutual fund in a non-registered account in November, and got stung by a large tax bill when they paid out the distribution in December even though I was not in the mutual fund for most of the year. I don’t want to repeat that, and I am not sure if ETFs work that way as well.


Paul J.

Q: Peter and team:
What do you think of xlk as a broad brush play on the technology sector? Is there a Canadian equivalent? (either Canadian companies or American companies in can. funds). Could you briefly touch on how etf's are handled vs. pure stocks @ tax time?

Thanks for such a great service!

Phil

Q: Hi, I noticed that you recommended a Vanguard Canadian index ETF called VCE in your answer to another questions. Vanguard also has one called VCN which seems to cover Canadian large, medium and small cap. Which one do you think is better and why? I already own many of the stocks in your portfolio and am just looking to add diversification.