Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i
I am completely new to the world of ETFs but, according to Portfolio Analytics (and I did know it was a good idea before being told, really I did) I need to add US and International exposure to my portfolio. I think the only reasonable way for me to do that given I don't/can't follow non-Canadian equity markets is through ETFs.
I would like to place 55K in US ETFs and 45K in International ETFs and this will, for now, comprise the entire non-Canadian portion of my portfolio.
I am not adverse to some above average risk and while I'd like income I'm more interested in growth.
In researching where to place this money I've concluded that I might not have the candle power necessary to make rational decisions about ETFs because of the distinct possibility of purchasing ETFs that hold the same or similar underlying equities from the same or similar geographies in the same or similar sectors (assuming I'm not just concentrating on discrete sectors). Left to my own devices I feel that I could very possibly purchase a little bundle of different ETFs that are all essentially but unintentionally quite similar.
My question is two-fold:
1. Is my concern about concentration valid or have I misinterpreted the lay of the land, and
2. Could you suggest 4 or 5 US ETFs and a similar # of International ETFs that I can consider and that won't have the type of overlap I'm worried about.
I realize this is a broad and general (and perhaps rambling) question - so please deduct as many credits as you think is warranted.
Thanks a lot!
Peter

Q: Can you please offer your 3 best ideas to add to a TFSA. This may include, Canadian, US Stocks or ETFS.

Thanks Valter

Q: Hi Team, Can you suggest one or two ETF on Cdn Small Cap.
So that I can replace my wife's RIF a/c, 2% holding of "TDB628 TD Cdn s/c EQ-1/NL'Frace" mutual fund.
Thanks as always.
Regards, Tak

Q: CIF 823 is the last remnant from the portfolio of my former financial advisor. How would you assess this mutual fund? Would an ETF (or several) be a preferred replacement?
Your input is always appreciated!

Q: Looking for recommendation on ETF mix for 50% of my RSP. 20% is BTSX and 20% in DOGS. 10% in fixed income. long term investment horizon.

your recommendations are appreciated!

Q: Kindly add IWO:N and VT:N to your analytics data base.
Thanks

Q: Hello, Just starting an RESP, roughly 18 years to grow, ok with medium risk, dividends would be nice. Starting off with $2500, adding that amount annually afterward. What would you recommend to start with, stocks or ETF's? thanks for the great service! Lavern

Q: Hello 5i team,
I have noticed from looking in the past 3 years that most of my losses have been from small cap stocks (BOS,MCB,RRX,RHT,etc...) and almost all of my gains have been from mid to large caps. I would still like to have a certain percent exposure to small caps without buying individual stocks.

-I was wondering if there are ETFs that track small caps in Canada or the US (or and ETF that tracks both) for the very long term?

-Are there some that would have a decent dividend?

-What is an ideal percent allocation for small caps in a diversified portfolio?

Thank You,
Andrew

Q: Hi - looking for recommendation for ETF recommendations within my TFSA. 40% of TFSA will be for this ETF mix and 60% is in your Balanced Equity model. Long term investment horizon for me as in mid 30s. Any recommendations?

Q: I have been contributing to my TFSA since inception and I currently have $90,000. I just put in $6000 as my 2019 contribution and I'm wondering what stocks I should look at. I'm 27 years old, have a long term time horizon, and I'm very comfortable with a lot of risk. Looking mainly for growth at this point. I currently have 30% of my account in the following (wxm, iwo, xsu, tdb3055 and RBF1035) (pretty well equal amounts). In addition I hold T, rY, BNS, JE, Enb, dol, ala, cjr, and fts all set up in Drips in roughly equal amounts. I also hold about 10% of my tfsa in ABM, EDT, loto and GQ for risky plays, all of which are down 50% except abm which is up 50%. what do you suggest adding at this point? Thanks so much!

Q: Hello,
Looking to invest for new born kid(less than 6 months), putting aside 2000 to start and will invest every year. Please provide etf that would be focused on growth.. dont need this money for 20 years.
Thx

Q: Hello Team. I am going to put some money in my TFSA. I have US exposure in my pension but not in my TFSA. Is there a low MER Balanced Equity ETF similar to the IWO growth ETF that you have in the growth portfolio that may do well as US markets recover.
Thank You
Clarence

Q: Where would you put $500 of annual contribution to RESP account of 2 years old grandchild. Thanks in advance for your comments.

Q: I would like some recommendations on some companies or ETF's that you like now and going forward. I'm looking for growth as I have a 20year+ time frame and low aversion to risk. I currently hold in my TFSA: CJR.B (down about 5%, should I hold or sell some/all off? -heaviest weighting of portfolio currently), GS, BNS, CPH, CR, KXS, NIF, SIS. Would like to add more companies to TFSA for some more sector diversification and can add to RRSP as well - possibly a growth ETF with US/International exposure? Would appreciate your input, thanks very much.

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan & Team
In addition to my current 5i Balanced portfolio I want to build an additional RRSP ETF portfolio.Time horizon 3-5 Years and my risk level is moderate.
I am thinking to invest in the following ETF. Appreciate you advise on the distribution, concentration and risk level.
XMD 30%
VUN 20%
XIU 10%
VEE 10%
VXUS 10%
IXC 10%
IWO 10%

Thanks,

Q: I am looking to better allocate some USD in my RRSP. I currently hold IWO and want to build on this with 3 holdings in strong US growth companies/ industries that are proven capital compounders for the long term. I am considering Google and Mastercard and am looking for one more compliment assuming you like the 2 mentioned. Also would you prefer MA over V? My timeframe is 10 years +
Thank you!

Q: Hi 5I,
The above names are all owned in my TFSA. Of these, I am underweight in COV, IWO, PHO, SDX, SYZ AND VB. I've got some cash to put to work with a long term objective. With consideration to the sector weighting, and my under weights, would you recommend I top up on any at this time or maybe introduce a completely different name or names to the portfolio? Thanks!

Q: I am currently down 82% on this stock. I am in a Growth Portfolio. I have diversified across all sectors and geographies. I am considering selling and then investing proceeds in one of the following: XWD, CEF, or VGG.

Do you see any future growth potential for ACQ? If not, which of the 3 options would you suggest I invest in for growth.

Thanks for your continued assistance.

Q: Have $20,000 I would like to allocation outside Canada. Already receiving an average of 6% dividend return on my C$ portfolio. Not really looking for additional income , what do you think of the above or is there other ETFs I should research.
I have a small position in VGG. Maybe etf holding Amazon, PayPal but not a pure internet such as FDN.

Q: Given the uncertainty in short term market direction,I have 50% of my TFSA in cash.I believe Canadian interest rates are not going to rise.I am considering the choices listed above, unless you can suggest others.I also have some cash in my US$ RRSP and am considering the Vanguard fund for this cash.US rates may climb further,but not much.Perhaps you could rate these according to risk.
Thank you.