Investment Q&A

Q: Which one do you prefer for international exposure?

Q: Hello 5i Team, Happy New Year! I have a diversified portfolio with plenty of tech exposure and S&P. We are looking into Sector based ETFs. Based on this environment, which one would you recommend out of these - XAD, HBGD, TECI, CHIPS, TEC, XEXP, FOUR, RBOT. Or, would you recommend any other sector ETF?

As always, thanks for your valuable insights.

Best, AJ

Q: Any reason for Etherum [ETF] drop close to 20% on monday?

Q: This ETF seems to have a long/short strategy of low volatility. 2 questions please:

1. including dividends are they keeping up with the the TSX index total return since inception?
2. is there a guaranteed market maker to keep the shares of PFMN.TO in line with its NAV or is it possible a premium or discount could happen in the future?

thanks

Q: Good day,

For exposure to gold, I'm looking at getting into an ETF or two. Would you suggest both a gold bullion ETF and a gold producers ETF or would they move in tandem and only one is needed?

Can you recommend some gold ETFs?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: What other ex north america etf's would be good?

Thanks

Q: This 1st. of 3 Bitcoin Structured Alt ETFs offers a decent Risk/Reward for Bitcoin. What do you think? I'm thinking of buying CBXJ when it comes out shortly, because this has a Cap Range of 28 to 31%. CBTJ will offer 50 to 55%
Thanks!

Q: Today, Feb. 1, 2025, Vanguard USA announced many fee reductions.
Do you know whether these fee reductions apply to Vanguard Canada ETF offerings?

Q: Do you have any recommendations where to low risk park US dollars and earn 4-5% interest while dollar cost averaging into US stocks?

Thanks
Brian

Q: Looking at the REIT space given what seems to be a general decline in share prices of most real estate ETF's and general real estate related shares over the last few years. I already own DIR.UN and now I'm looking to add a REIT to the mix that offers at least a 6% dividend. I know you also like GRT.UN and CAR.UN. What are your thoughts on MREL and HGR as ETF options? Can you compare the two for me? Also would you suggest an alternate ETF to those tow ... or even a single REIT stock that you think can do well over the next 2-3 years and offer 5% dividend and capital protection.

Q: I've seen these high yielding products before and just noticed that a few are now available on the TSX. I'm curious as to what your thoughts are on this type of product and how they work. I noticed the yields are pretty extreme and particularly on MSTY. I'm assuming this is maybe due to the high option premiums and volatility on the underlying MSTR?
Is there any rationale to a short term hold in this type of thing if you believe there's at least short term upside in the underlying?
(I considered buying MSTR last year but put it off. I think it maybe has a few months to a year of upside still if the Bitcoin cycle continues. Being able to buy in MSTY in $C is a plus and avoids exchange rate fees if buying and selling within a few months/year).

Thanks!

Q: I looked on Fundata on this ETF and it says
Management Fee. 0.18%
MER. 0.20 % So does that mean I’m paying .38 % in total to be deducted in total and when would that be payed and also do you think this is a decent ETF to just kind of set and forget,possibly. thanks

Q: I would like to establish a position in the cyber-security sector.

Do you think a basket (ETF) approach is better or a focus on individual companies?

If the latter, please recommend your top 3. Also, are there any small-to-mid cap options that you like here.

Thanks as always.

Q: Hello Peter and 5i Team! it is an RESP account.

A new granddaughter born this year has a tiny new RESP in her name. It started with 3 shared of IUSG, and then, realizing that commissions were a large percentage of such small purchases, we added 2 shares of ZUQ, which has no commission.

For future small contributions, I am looking at these 4 ETFs, based on 3-year average annual return. I am specifically wondering about MER vs Tax efficiency:

ZUQ: +13.44%/yr, MER=0.33%, yield=0.60%, holds US stocks directly
VFV: +13.36%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=0.99%, holds US stocks indirectly through VOO
XUS: +13.36%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=1.03%, holds US stocks indirectly through IVV
ZSP: +13.30%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=0.94%, holds US stocks directly
(as far as I know, none of these are hedged)

Generally I gravitate to low MERs, so perhaps ZUQ is not the best choice.

I recall a comment on 5i that the indirect holding of US stocks means that the withholding tax is withheld when the underlying US ETF pays dividends to the Canadian holding ETF (e.g. VFV get the dividend from VOO, less 15%). So holding in a TFSA won't avoid it, whereas it would be avoided with, say, ZSP in a TFSA.

So, my question is: do the 3-yr performance numbers take all of this into account? I am guessing not... withholding tax efficiency depends on the holders nationality, sheltered status, etc.

Bottom line - which of these ETFs would you recommend for a grandchild with a time horizon of many decades, for optimal performance?

Thanks for your excellent insights and wisdom!

Q: Would this be a good international holding or is there better ones?

Thanks

Q: I have been moving some of my stocks to ZSP or VDY believing this is more conservative as I should be as an older senior. Am I right or have I just made this up?

Q: Hi group want to park some $ in high interest saving account I have 2 question's )

- How is the return calculated ( as an example PSA pays out dividend monthly monthly does that mean if i cash out in the middle of the month that i do not get a pro rated amount based on my balance. Could you explain how that works. is it a daily calculation payable at the end of the month or what.

- if i buy a US high interest account would that be a benefit for a higher return compared to buying a high interest Cad saving acct.

- could you provide some actual comparisons using real returns and currency numbers


thanks for your help with this.

Q: Can you please provide some good Copper and Silver ETF's. CDN and USA.
Thank you in advance

Q: I use VFV for my US stock exposure. Is one ETF enough or should I spread it out over 2 or more.
If more please provide some suggestions.

Q: What are your thoughts on the materials ETF PICK?