Investment Q&A

Q: For a young investor (18 yrs) making regular contributions to a RRSP, TFSA, and FHSA. Using an all-in-one ETF approach, are there all in one ETF's that are better suited for each of the different accounts? Would an all equity ETF be appropriate in any of these accounts?

Q: For my TFSA, I am hesitating between VBAL and XBAL. Which one do you prefer? Because of the U.S. and international component of these ETFs, will there be withholding taxes in a TFSA or other tax considerations we should know about? Thank you for your guidance

Q: Good day,

I am setting up TFSA and FHSA accounts for an 18-year-old with a 15-25 year investment horizon. The goal is to contribute the maximum annual limit each year, which is $7,000 for the TFSA and $8,000 for the FHSA in 2024, and continuing at those levels in subsequent years. From an aggressive growth perspective, without restricting the investment options to Canadian markets, what would you recommend? Also, do you recommend making an lumpsum investment or spread the purchases over time? If so, how do you suggest I spread the purchases.

Thank you

Q: In the Growth Portfolio which stock would you buy now for 2025 TFSA contribution? Long term hold, thinking GSY as it has the highest rating in the portfolio.
Thanks Ron

Q: What happens to a spouses TFSA if they pass away,and you are the registered agent for the account.My question is can you continue to trade ,or do nothing and could the fund continue to grow tax free

Q: Recently I transferred in kind shares of Bell. From my unregistered account to a TFSA.They were deemed to be sold at a loss.Can I claim the loss?.And also my shares of MG that are at a significant loss in my TFSA which I if needed to sell .If I transfer them to my nonregistered account will they be deemed to be sold in TFSA and I would not be able to claim the loss? As allways thanks Larry

Q: Morning, you wonderful people.

Looking to add with your help. I am a believer in tech and growth in my TFSA. Other accounts are balanced.

I hold CSU, AMZN, NVDA, MSFT, GOOG, COST, AVGO, BRK.B, BLK.

Regardless of sector etc. Please let me know your top 3-5 to add to this portfolio. Longterm and conviction!

Thank you muchly.

Q: Hi there! Long time subscriber here, and love your platform!

I'm currently developing a plan to align with my goal of purchasing my first home in about eight years, alongside a long-term investment strategy. I’m seeking your insight on how a person in this situation could responsibly proceed (I understand that nothing here is considered actionable financial advice).

I'm currently contributing $400 biweekly to my FHSA, aiming to reach the $16,000 contribution limit this year. I also have approximately $5,000 in my TFSA, with all funds currently held in cash in both accounts.

For the FHSA, I’m considering investing in a high-growth American ETF, such as VFV, IUSG, or IWO, to balance growth and risk over the eight-year horizon. However, I would only like to invest in CAD (I'm not sure which ones only allow USD). Could you provide guidance on which ETF might be the most suitable for this approach, and why? If you have other recommendations, I would appreciate your insights.

For my TFSA, I'm interested in an aggressive investment strategy, potentially utilizing one of your growth or balanced portfolios. Given my exposure to cryptocurrency, I aim to diversify into equities for greater stability while still pursuing substantial growth over the next 45 years. I'm comfortable with higher volatility during this period. With $5,000 currently in my TFSA, would you recommend specific securities or a strategy that balances high growth with diversification?

While I’d prefer to follow your portfolio exactly, my current funds are only 5% of the $100,000 needed to follow it exactly. As an alternative, I'm considering selecting stocks from your portfolio and eventually investing evenly across the entire growth portfolio when my TFSA grows to an appropriate amount. Given my current $5,000 and my $100 bi-weekly contributions, which companies would you recommend selecting from within those two portfolios? Should I allocate $1,000 each to five different stocks or focus on three stocks with an initial $1,600 investment in each (the more I diversify on such a small number the less the potential return)? Your advice on which equities to select for both approaches and your opinion on the most responsible approach would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance! :)

Q: Hello Team,

I am setting up a TFSA account for my son, he would be saving this money for a house down the road (at least 5-7 years away).

I was thinking maybe purchasing 3-4 stocks and 1 ETF for him to hold, can you let me know what you would recommend. We are going to deposit the max he can deposit which is 19.5K.

Looking to maximize growth.

Thanks.

Q: Hello 5i,

I am 27 years old. I have approx. $100,000 to start a portfolio. I have established with two positions thus far - 5% each in ATZ & BAM. Considering my age, what companies would you suggest I add keeping in mind my focus being a long term growth with a set-it-and-forget-it strategy?

If possible I would like some good dividend generation names which hopefully do not sacrifice some reasonable capital gains.

If you could suggest which of the recommendations would be better suited (tax wise) to put into my TFSA and why that is so, that would be appreciated.



Thank you Peter & Team


-Andrew

Q: I know this is outside 5i's wheelhouse, but I am going to cheekily ask it anyway. I am contemplating a 50% drawdown of my investments (to purchase a cottage) and want to determine the optimal way to do so. 50% of my investments are in a cash account, and roughly 50% split equally between TFSAs and RRSPs (all of which are maxed out). Almost all my high growth stocks are in my TFSA (NVDA, VRT, GOOG, MSFT, AMZN), with mostly slower growers and dividend stocks in the other accounts. Considering both tax consequences and the need to continue having a diversified portfolio, where would YOU take the money from?

Q: I have a stock that's gone to zero in my TFSA; I assume this is the one my brokerage is referring to when they say "You hold some securities that may be subject to CTO...etc etc.. you may apply to gift each security to TD Direct Investing".
The stock's already been delisted. What do they want with it and how does it help the account holder? In this case, it doesn't help me at all, does it?

Q: Adding on to Julie’s currency questions and your response. I’ve come to understand when contributing US funds into a US TFSA the CRA requires it be recorded in CAD, which I understand means you need to take US funds and buy a US money market, place it in your CAD TSFA and then transfer to your US TSFA and finally sell. I was told not doing so will incur additional currency exchange costs.

Do I have that correct?

Thanks all.

Q: My niece is looking to enter the DIY investing world and move her TFSA over to an online self-directed account. Her advisor has her in these high fee accounts above. These look like funds for a retired person looking for income rather than for a 29 year looking to grow a TFSA with the goal to hopefully get a down payment for a condo some day. Could you please give some advice for a beginner investor, ETF's some Canadian and US equities to get her started. She's a bit nervous as all ne DIY investors are. Thank you

Q: My grandchild is turning 20 in the fall and entering the work force, has no knowledge on investing. We are going to get him to start a Tax Free Savings Account with $2,00.00 original investment then encourage him to add $50.00- $100.00/ month there after. Untill he becomes more interested in learning more about investing we are thinking of starting with a dividend paying ETF or fund, any suggestions on a few ETF's or funds

Q: I am learning to use portfolio analytics (PA). PA provides some guidance that makes a lot of sense from a tax efficient perspective. For example, it recommends to place Canadian dividend payers in unregistered accounts and Canadian and US growth funds into TFSAs. Are there any downfalls to not having each account diversified?

Q: Hello,

General best practice question here on portfolio diversification based on a question asked many years ago.

1. If you were starting fresh with an equity portfolio, how many names would you choose and would they all be equal weight by name? Within that number, would you have a recommendation investing in a set number of ETF's?

2. Would you recommend adding stocks across each of the 10-14 sectors (or prioritize specific ones) and apply the same weight?

3. In terms of tax benefits, would you tend to hold US stock in a TFSA or RRSP? I seem to read conflicting views.

Q: hello 5i:
Regarding the tax treatment of dividends from a US preferred share, held in a TFSA: would there be a 15% withholding tax on the dividend, or is it exempt because its in a TFSA?
Also: if there were a capital gain on the preferred held in the TFSA, would that be exempt from the 15% withholding tax?
thanks
Paul L

Q: hello 5i:
regarding the CVRs issued and your comment on shares held in an RRSP: does this also apply to TFSAs? If they have no value, and can't be taxed anyway, I fail to see why they can't be held.
thanks
Paul L

Q: Hi,
Our NBLY pharmacy shares were bought out and cash received. In our TFSA we now have shares of Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc temp with a purchase price of 24 cents per share with a total value of $168. I got a letter from itrade indicating these shares cannot be in a registered account subject to 50% penalty. Can you please help me understand what these new shares are?
Thanks,
Kerri