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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hi Peter and 5i,
For someone starting out in an RRSP with $13K to start and then monthly contributions.
I'm looking at one of the following:
1. XAW ($10K) and XIC ($3k)
2. VEQT
3. Other suggestions from 5i.
4. Once it reaches >$50k then start adding individual stocks.
Thank you for your answer and other possible suggestions.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on February 02, 2026
Q: Would have any concerns or recommendations for a retired senior with a employment pension. Having a total portfolio consisting of xuu.ca, xaw.ca and xic.ca?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Brian on January 29, 2026
Q: I have US stocks and CAD stocks but also want to keep a large portion of my portfolio in indexes. I have VFV and similar for trakcing S&p and have added VEQT in the last few years for world diversification. I have a small amount in XAW, but does it make sense to have more in XAW since i have a bunch of individual canadian stocks? or do you have a preference for canadians to own one of these over the other?
Read Answer Asked by Danielle on November 09, 2025
Q: I need to add more global allocations to my portfolio. Can you suggest three Canadian and three U.S. ETFs?
Read Answer Asked by Roy on October 30, 2025
Q: I currently hold these 4 ETF's in a RRSP account. Is there any other ETF that you would add to this list?
Read Answer Asked on August 28, 2025
Q: From a tax perspective, which of the above ETFs are best suited for:

1. TFSA
2. RRSP
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 12, 2025
Q: Looking for investing suggestions for someone in there mid twenties that has a very good job and are just starting out investing, I was thinking buying a few ETFs that auto buy every paycheck through a big bank brokerage arm kind of set it and forget till they figure out if they want to learn more about investing. Also what would be a good basic investing book that teaches how RRSPs and TFSAs work? Is Gordon Pape still around, lol.
Read Answer Asked by Mark on January 27, 2025
Q: I hold these ETF's in a RESP account and just wonder if all these ETF are different enough to own? Also would be be good to own XAW in the RESP account. Money is not needed for 10 years.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked on January 21, 2025
Q: I'm looking at portfolio style ETFs for my RRSP like VGRO. I find these Canadian based ETFs are overweight Canadian equites. My aim is to reduce the number of ETFs that i own in my RRSP. Is there any CAD ETFs that you recommend that cover global equities, including US, that doesn't overweight Canada?
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on January 15, 2025
Q: I have these five ETFs in RESPs for my grandchildren: VCN, VFV, VMO, XAW, XIT.
This seems excessive, so I would like to consolidate: can you tell where there is overlap, and which three I should focus on for the future. Or should I sell 3 and add a new one? Or should I just keep all 5 and top up one of them? They have all done fairly well, but I feel more of a US focus going forward might be appropriate. If I'm gong to have a technology ETF, it should probably be USA? Thank you very much for all you have done for me over the years, much appreciated, and Happy 2025 to all at 5i.
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on January 02, 2025
Q: I have cash from a maturing GIC and am looking at options to reinvest it. I am considering evenly investing it in these 4. Time horizon is 2 to 5 years, low to medium risk. I would appreciate your thoughts on these or if there are other ETF's to consider. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by George on December 09, 2024
Q: In an effort to minimize currency exchange costs, I am using separate all-in-one etfs for my CAD and USD accounts. The xbal for the CAD and the AOR for the USD account. I would be interested to know your thoughts and whether this merits attention. The xbal and others similar have huge Canadian weight which I would be happy to avoid. On the USD side they seem to have this sorted. My biggest beef there is that it is very US heavy and frustratingly, not visible in the 5i database. Could you please advise on option of xbal and aor, and also please look into integration of the AOR and comparable series?
Thanks
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on November 28, 2024
Q: What are some ETFs that I can use to diversify my portfolio and have as a buy and hold strategy. 20+ year hold in TFSA. I want a portion of my portfolio that I don't have to look at at all. I currently have VFV and VEQT.
Read Answer Asked by Danielle on November 25, 2024
Q: Do you have any concerns with someone holding these ETF’s for a 3 to 5 year time period?
Read Answer Asked by David M. on November 25, 2024
Q: I would like to add some Int’l diversification to my TFSA by way of a CAD listed ETF. Could you recommend a couple of ETFs that would exclude Canada? Also another option that would exclude Canada and USA? Priority would be growth and if possible tax efficiency.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on November 20, 2024
Q: I currently have the above in various portfolios. I would like to add an ETF or 2 for the US market in that deals in (CAD) funds. Can you provide a few for ETF's that would complement my current holdings . Thanks David .
Read Answer Asked by David on November 19, 2024
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