Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,

I have 10k in my TFSA that I'd like to allocate to ETF's. I'm still in school so I won't have as much money coming in to diversify through stocks.

I was wondering what would be the best way to allocate (how many, what percentage)? I was thinking along the lines of XIC, SPY, and VIG.

Also, what do you think about investing purely in ETF's?

Thanks in advance,

Jon

Q: Could you suggest several ETFs that cover the Russell 2000 both Canadian and US

Q: Good morning
I have additional funds to deploy..I am covered in most of your top performers and few others..unfortunately, no real US exposure...I have around $75,000 (5% of portfolio to deploy and would request your top 2 US ETF ($CDN) for stable growth etc...also would you buy all now our dip in over a few months?

Thanks

Q: Hi 5i, 2018 is off to a intereting start!
Thanks for your great service and guidence in these uncharterted times, it is much appreciated!
I have 100,000. to invest in my RRSP acct looking for 7 etf' or stocks, am intereted in CSU however with the high $ run do you think it is still a buy.
Thanks PS

Q: Peter, please advise how you would allocate $13,500 in an RESP for an 8 year old. Currently $10,500 is in the CIBC Managed Growth Portfolio; what do you think of it ? Thank you.

Q: Do you like this etfs can you please explain the difference between iwo and iwd. Thanks. Alnoor

Q: During market drops/volatility like what has happened the last couple of days is it a good approach to buy some small cap to make quick gains when the markets recover? Your advice is much appreciated. Thanks. Shyam

Q: I have virtually no direct exposure to the US market at the moment and wish to rectify that. My risk tolerance is moderate with a minimum hold of 5+ years.
I am considering adding IWO and MTUM to my RRSP plus 2 or 3 other stocks for diversified exposure. What are your thoughts with this strategy and can you provide a couple stock suggestions, your reasoning behind them, and perhaps how best to allocate the funds?
Thanks for the great service.

Q: Hi there,

I currently have a blend of your Balanced and Growth portfolio - mostly switching out the large, higher yielding names with small to mid cap growth names (which were suggested to me by your team in an earlier question). It has performed well in 2017 and I am happy with the results - however, my entire portfolio is TSX based. I am looking for diversification but don't want to sacrifice the growth tilt, which sometimes ETFs tend to lead to. Based on my existing holdings, which ETFs would you recommend that would be more growth tilted and add a broader global exposure? Also, what weighting would you consider making these holdings?

Thanks for your great service!

Q: I am setting up an all ETF portfolio for a 20 yr plus holding period and I have a two-part question. The first part concerns the makeup of the Canadian/US component. Is it better to go with a combination of SPY and XIC or would including CDZ and VIG provide stability and perhaps a bit more growth to the mix (keeping in mind that I intend to hold at least 5% of each but don't need income yet)?

Secondly, I am looking for higher risk assets for my TFSA. I was thinking of IWO. I know that there are specialized sectors I could include but I looking for a fairly hands-off approach. Do you think this approach would serve me well - I know that it is only one asset type - or is there a better mix out there that would still be quite manageable?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I have very little invested outside of Canada and would like to increase foreign investments. What are the tax ramifications if any, of investing in index funds such as Vanguard or Ishares in a taxable account? I suspect that there may be a withholding tax.

What would your 3 favourites be for investing outside of North America?

Thanks
Ron

Q: There have been a number of comments recently on your site concerning Warren Buffet's advice to put 90 per cent in an etf which follows the broad U. S. market and 10 percent in an bond etf. There has also been a considerable amount of concern on the site that the American market may be over valued at the current time and something like emerging markets might be a better bet currently. If that this worry has substance, is there some portion of the US market which might be a good bet at the mement--for instance a small cap etf? What would a US small cap etf be a good one? Also what bond etf might be appropriate. There are probably a lot of questions in here. But, I have just shown my confidencein5i by renewing for a couple of more years. So I have lots of ammunition in my questions bag.\t
thanks

Q: My daughter has approx 10000.00 in cash in her TFSA and no other investments. Could you suggest a carefree long term growth oriented equity ETF(s) as a basis for future investments.
Thanks for your service.
NA

Q: I am very heavy on Canadian equities within my corporate investment account. My personal accounts are all a bit heavy on Canadian equities as well. Plan to purchase ETFs to balance. Which of your current ETF portfolio names would you add right now and is there any advantage to doing so within my INC., TFSA, RSP or personal unregistered account. Would invest a 5% positon in the next few weeks. Balanced equity portfolio is the target, 10 year horizon.

Q: I’m looking for US small cap exposure and would like to know the differences between IWO and IWM?

Thank you

Q: Happy Holidays 5i!!
If you were to pick one or two ETFs or two to four companies which are expected to be show very good growth in the USA in 2018 which would you choose. I am not concerned about sectors and I realize you don't follow US companies closely. I do, however, respect your overall knowledge and welcome your comments.
Thank you
Dave

Q: I currently hold VTWV, and notice that you recommend IWO generally when picking a Russell 2000 ETF. Should I sell VTWV, which hasn't done very well, and replace it with IWO, and if so, why? It seems that IWO is doing better but I don't understand why, as I would think the two are comparable.

Thank you for this wonderful service. The new design is super.
Elizabeth

Q: Hi, for my US exposure, I hold the following 3 US ETFs at the following total percentages:

VTI - 50%
VIG - 20%
IWO - 30%

I have $10K USD to add and I'm wondering whether VTI and VIG are too similar or whether I'm fine to add to all 3 and keep the same rough percentages.

Thanks
Robert

Q: In response to a recent question you said that VXUS is a very attractive possibility for stocks outside the US. I already own VWO and was wondering whether it would be a compliment to that, or whether there would be redundancy? Isuppose I could ask the same question of a European ETF?
thanks for the great help

Q: Looks like the new U.S. tax bill is going to be passed! I'm thinking of taking a large position into IWO as I believe small caps will do best regarding this initiative....can you provide any advice, thank you?