Investment Q&A

Q: How does XLK Technology SPIDER and FDN US First trust internet compare to QQQ in Resu;ts and cost? Thank you for your guidance Anne

Q: I am interested in buying an ETF that would cover the S&P 500 index. From looking at previous questions, I see 2 that are talked about, namely VFV and VSP. I was planning on buying VSP but I find the volume is very low compared to VFV and also VSP is CAN hedged(which I don't quite understand).

Can you give me a brief idea of the difference between the 2 and which would be the best to purchase long term?

Or are there other S@P 500 ETFs that you would suggest with a pretty good dividend?

Thank You,
Andrew

Q: I am considering the purchase of this security. Could I please have your valued opinion? Thanks

Q: Are you comfortable with QQQ as a US Dollar ETF (information technology), or can you suggest a similar better alternative? Thank You.

Q: Hello: If you were to pick ETF's today for an RRSP, one to cover Europe and another the US, what would your choice be? Large-medium-small cap at this point would make very little difference. They would be for a long term hold.

Thanks, Brian

Q: Realizing that this is new and its hard to evaluate. What is your opinion. Thanks

Q: I have owned the Baby B's from the beginning of time and I would like to keep the stock forever but Warren is no spring chicken.

If Warren were to the pass away ( I hope he lives to 120) what would be the likely stock price outcomes in the short term and medium term?

Q: Thanks for all the great work and insights you provide.

I would like to buy both of these. I only have enough cash for a full position for one currently. Which would you recommend at this time?

Q: US Silica Holdings (SLCA)
Your comments on this US play on oil and gas production would be appreciated
Thanks

Q: I have topped up my TFSA to the full allotted amount (since 2009) and am now ready to invest it in a simple way. What are your thoughts about an equal weighting in xiu, spy, vgk, vpl, vwo and xlu?
Thanks
Jan

Q: Boulder Income Fund - Would you recomment this fund considering its discount ot NAV and dividend and diversification. This would for 50% of US holding peortion. Or you have other recommendations.
Thanks

Q: The 3-year stock price chart looks excellent. Teacher's just bought the Canadian wine business. The stock was down today. What is your read on the future stock performance based on these circumstances?

Thanks for a great job.
Dan

Q: Hi 5i. I was interested in your reply today to Shyam regarding XLV, where you noted that it has had "better performance of late". My records show that XLV price has dropped steadily over the last 3 months by 6%.
This leads me to my question : We hold XLV and PSCH (Powershare Small cap Healthcare ETF) in our non-registered account (< 2% of our total equities). Our cap gains on these have been reduced from 15.8% to 8.9% (XLV), and 14% to 9.7% (PSCH) respectively over the last 3 months.
My theory is that these will continue to drop as we get ever-closer to the U.S. election. I am thinking of selling both of these ETF's while they still give us a reasonable profit of approx. 9 and 10% respectively, and then waiting out the election fallout before deciding whether to get back into Healthcare.
We would appreciate your comments. Thanks T.
p.s. PSCH did not come up in the "companies" list

Q: Could you please update your list of top US stocks that you suggested were appropriate for an option writing strategy.

The previous list from 3-4 months ago was comprised of:

GOOG, FB, GRMN,AAPL, SIMO ( these five had substantial cash balances)

NOC, LLL, ITRI, JPM, NDAQ,HES

Thanks

Q: Because of the recent stock split, I have both class A and class C shares of Under Armour. Is there any reason to think that one class of shares will outperform the other? Or, put another way, Which class of shares should I sell first? Or is there any value in selling a equal portion of both and remain holding both classes of shares ?

Q: Hi, My current exposure to the health care sector is less than 2%. I am considering increasing my position to approximately 5% by means of etf (I currently own GUD and GILD approx 1% each). I am considering XLV or IBB for etfs. Which of these (or) any other etf you would recommend? I noted that IBB seems more volatile than XLV when I compared them..I was wondering why?

Q: Hello 5i
Would you please offer your opinion of a few individual holdings and other investment vehicles worthy of long-time hold and more importantly dividend reinvestment. I see your a selction of ETF you have been noting are VGG(for USA) and CDZ(for Cad). Is this the top idea or are there other ideas (individually or combination of holdings)?
The goal is to take advantage of the market ride and still feel comfortable with the investments and know more of a good investment is being purchased regularly.

Alternatively, would one just let cash build up and buy shares and units on a quarterly basis instead of utilizing a DRIP?

By example, just bought CAR.UN today. Working to determine whether it makes sense to join the drip; especially with the 5% discount of the Plan.

Thanks for your thoughts
Dave

Q: What investments would yield income with some safety(conservative)?
Was thinking of ZWH or XTR?

Q: When buying American stocks how would you factor in the exchange rate?

When I bought google in Feb it was at 700. Now it is at 778, but because the $CAN has strengthened I only see 6% of that gain. Appreciate your thoughts.

Q: I just sold about $5,000.00 in stocks inside my TFSA, with a little profit of $500.00 over the period of 8 months. I did it so I can add it to my self directed RRSP account to lower my taxes this year. In my RRSP I own approx 20% oil,15% financial, 10% utilities, 10% auto, 5% marijuana and the rest is in CDZ. I want to diversify this portfolio. It accounts for 75% of my investments. I am considering a REIT and some technology. What do you recommend?