Investment Q&A

Q: can you suggest a good way to invest in US dollar strength for Canadians as in uup or a convienent alternative.Thank You.

Q: Hi,

I've been looking to take a position in VIG in US dollars in my RSP account. I see that you recently recommended CUD, another US dividend ETF. Would you recommend one over the other?

Thank you,

Q: Hi,
I am looking at setting up RESPs for both my children (both under 3 years old) and would like to set up the following asset allocation:
Cdn Equity 30% US Equity 30% Int'l Equity 30% and Fixed Income 10%
At 9 years old I would start converting more into fixed income.
No commissions are paid on ETF purchases.
I am comfortable with an aggressive approach.

I have two questions, if I may:
(1) Do you agree with this asset allocation strategy?
(2) Which ETFs (TSX only) would you recommend for each of these categories if you were buying in the next 3 months.
Thank you

Q: I need to add US and International Exposure to my locked in account. It is currently 60% cdn equity and 40% bonds and gics. I want to have fixed income remain at 40%. I want to reduce Canadian equity to 40% and add 12% US Equity and 8% other international equity.
1 Would ishares Core S&P Index (XSP) and ishares MCSI EAFE (XIN) index be appropriate?

2 Both are hedged to the Canadian $. Is that the best way to go? If the Canadian $ strengthens by 10% what effect can I expect to see?

3 Should I make this change in equal purchases of 1/3 of each index over 12 months?

Thanks for your help and great service

Q: Following on with Alan's question of 09/22 would you please make recommendations for specific "exposure to fixed income" investments.
thank you
Deborah

Q: Could I get your opinion on ZHY. I'd like to entertain a bond position with pending interest rate increase on the horizon. Is this the right instrument and is the timing right?

Q: Great work Peter ... I am now retired and am about to allot my funds into their proper allocations. RRSP,RIF,and LIF ... I had chosen 7 stocks from the Income Portfolio for my LIF but having read comments from other investors I am not sure if I am heading in the right direction. You and Ryan have been so supportive so I must ask How would you allot 400K(RRSP), 200K (RIF) and 210K (LIF) ...right now I am completely covered 400K in the Model Porfolio. If this is to much to ask I completely understand , I do have a plan but would like to allow your expertise to weigh in. Thanks for all you do and post this at your discretion.

Q: Want to take some money off the table in my canadian portfolio but would like to keep some skin in the game. Thinking of an American etf of defence stocks to play the US dollar and the US need to dominate the world. At 67 years old I am willing to place the bet. Which ETF do you think would suit my needs. Thanks Doug

Q: Hi,
Could you provide an opinion on owning XFR as a conservative holding for the next 3-5 years.
Thank you

Q: I'm trying to overcome by "home country bias" for my RSP with a 15-20 yr time horizon (I have a DB pension so I'm not afraid of some risk). Can you suggest 3-5 stocks for US and Int'l exposure and/or other ways of participating in equity markets outside Canada.

Q: Aside from cash, money market and buying bonds and holding the bonds until maturity where do u suggest one puts cash/profits?
1) an ETF for 3 to 6 months
2) ETF for 6 to 12 months
3) ETF for 12 months and longer
4) Any other things u might recommend - preferred shares?

Thank you.

Q: Hi Ryan,What would be the best etf for china right now , Thanx Cliff

Q: Hi Team...I bought CBO in around May..it only goes down and when I look at the charts, it just basically drops (even over the last 5 years). Can you suggest an alternative? XHY??? I would like a steady Eddie for this part of my Portfolios but one that has a good dividend and some (even slow) growth!!?? Thanks ahead..

Q: hello 5i team, could you please give some info on i shares xpf, i hold some cbo and some xhy as part of my fixed income allocation will xpf compliment it

Q: I am looking at the strength in the US dollar and adding a USD ETF such as SDY Dividend ETF - is this a good ETF to play the USD dollar and strength in the US Economy?

Thank you for for help

Q: ETF
Good Day. A question for registered accounts only and switching between similar ETF's. I have held the Vanguard S&P500 etf for quite sometime and have a good size but unrealized capital gain. Except for probably a few basis points difference in MER's, tracking error or yield what would be your opinion in selling the Vanguard product and then taking the proceeds to buy the same IShares product? My thought process is to switch between like etf's realizing the capital gain to get this gain now working for me, and while making sure portfolio weightings are also maintained.
Is this a reasonable portfolio strategy to enhance returns with minimal risk. Also, this would not be a trading strategy but a long term process as capital gains hopefully grow over a couple of years.

Thanks,

Q: Oil and gas. My portfolio is likely underweighted in this sector (7%). I would consider increasing it via ETF. Do you have recommendations for ETF's in this sector (Canadian only preferred).

Q: Dear 5i:

I hold EWU an ETF that tracks the larger UK market. Any idea what the impact would be on it if Scotland actually secedes on the 18th?

Q: Dear Peter,
I'm glad to see that contributions to your ride are continuing and you are now at 98%. Way to go! My question is about investing in European securities. It was mentioned in a recent answer that 5% of a portfolio be in Europe and 10% in USA. What do you think are the best way(s) to invest in those areas?
Linda

Q: Europe is now printing money to grow their economy, how does the at home do-it-yourself investor take part in the potential growth of European equities?