Investment Q&A

Q: I normally keep individual stocks to a limit of 5% of my portfolio in a registered account. However, with ZWC being an ETF, how high do you think I could go, given that it is diversified in many stocks?

What would be an attractive price to buy into ZWC?

If ZWU is also held in the same account, how high could you go for that ETF (as a percentage of the account)? And would that affect the amount of ZWC held in the same account?

Thank you.

Q: Do you have any insight into whether ZWU might increase or decrease its dividend going forward please? What factors might influence this, and if able to gauge or guess at it, what timeline might we see for a decision to update it? Thanks!

Q: I have money to invest in a registered account and do not need the funds for at least 5-10 years. I was planning to buy a GIC, but the rates for 1 to 5 year terms are only in the 3% range. Instead, I am thinking of buying ZWU with a 7% return, realizing that there is no guarantee on the ETF price, but the rate of return is significantly higher than the GIC. My understanding is that the utitilies sector is quite stable and the price of this ETF does not tend to move much.

Do you see this as a good strategy to get a higher return with relatively low risk to the erosion of my investment value, given the long time frame?

Also, what would be an acceptable price to purchase ZWU?

Q: Nonresidents withholding tax tariff ,there could be a window to Donald to increase the percentage from the actual 15 % to 20-25 ??
How will this affect the dividends to ETF with some US exposures? Are Rsp totally exempted ?
How could such a move jeopardize the U.S. economy,
Did diverting some fund to. ZWE or other alternative could represent a good defensive move.

Q: I target Utilities holdings at 8-10%. Is there enough difference to hold both ZWU and UMAX as my only Utilities holdings?

Thank You

Q: I went to a large cash position in my rrsp a few weeks ago, and now I’m interested in putting part of my retirement portfolio (I retired Jan 1) into high interest etfs that I can buy and forget while they generate income via yield. I’ve added a few I’ve been looking at to the ticker box. I’m looking at bond etf’s but I don’t fully understand when to get in and out of bonds - can an investor buy and forget? I’m also looking at covered call leveraged etf’s based on the S&P and Nasdaq indexes. I realize an investor has to have a strong stomach for the volatility associated with high interest leveraged etfs, but for purely an income vehicle, can you provide a few names based on the above criteria? Assuming about 10-15% positions, what percentage of a retirement portfolio would you invest in high interest etf’s, Hoping to generate 8-10% annually from the portfolio. The remainder of my portfolio is mid cap large cap US and Canadian equities. The usual suspects.

Q: Are those funds advantageous to hold in a rsp account regarding on the withholding of US dividends? I am never sure if those dividends get charged fo all holders, or just the cash accounts. So if these do not shelter the rsp from the tax, which equivalent would you suggest.?
Thank you

Q: I hold a significant position of ZWU ( less ZUT) for stability of the sector during crisis and stable dividends .ZWU holds around 40% of US stocks .In a non registered account, considering various factors: 1) NAV of ZWU is normally dropping over time 2) dividends are higher 3) no dividend tax credit for the US proportion 4) having a US proportion offers some kind of diversification : Alltogether would you consider one of those ETF a better choice for value + dividends? if not ,any ideal proportion of the 2 ? Many thanks ,JY

Q: What's your view of ZWU now with tariffs coming. I'm downsizing risk in my portfolio but would like to keep it for income. Would you add, hold, or sell. Thanks, great service.

Q: Hello
Considering , tariffs and the impact that they have on the financial sector, what sector and which company stocks/etfs would you consider that are paying similar yields

Thank you

Q: I have both ZWU and ZUT in an RRSP account. For the next 5+ years, should I continue to hold both, or only one. If one, please supply your reasons. ZWU pays a much higher dividend, and has ZUT as it's largest holding, but over the last 5 years it has underperformed ZUT. Is it a case of deciding whether I want more potential growth or more potential income?

Q: What insights do you have for the Utility sector in 2025? It was out of favor, caught a bid for a while and now it's falling back again. The yield is obviously nice but do you see the price continuing to decline? Thanks as always, great service.

Q: Planning to consolidate Utility sector in RIF. Current holdings include: ZWU, H, XUT, XLU. Which one would you keep ? Thank you

Q: Would you consider ZWU to be a reasonable replacement for the following equities in a RIF ?
BEP.un, BIPC, BIR, ENB, FTS, TOU
Please give Risk assessment 1 (low) out of 10 (high). Other suggestions/comments appreciated ?

Q: Trying to consolidate utility positions in my RIF. Currently I own small positions in ZWU, H and XUT. Which one would you suggest keeping?

Thank you

Q: portfolio strategy question

I have adopted a dividend investment strategy of investing predominantly in canadian dividend paying equities and as expected am overweight in financials, telecom and utilities, this strategy allows me to sleep well at night, I am looking at enough dividend income from the portfolio to retire on and not have to touch the principle investment.

besides the lack of diversification in geography and sector. can you give me your opinion about concerns you may have with such a strategy and what you would suggest doing otherwise ?

Q: Now that we have had the first reduction in central bank interest rates, do you think there is a good investment opportunity in utilities? Looking mostly for price stability with income and some capital appreciation. Is there an equal weight ETF for utilities?
Thank you for your great service.

Q: My wife has been diagnosed with dementia and on a waiting list for LTC. I'm thinking of setting up her TFSA for monthly income to top up her government pensions.
Thinking of eit.un, zwu, zwe . Harvest and Horizon have higher yields but I am concerned about sustainability. Your thought please.
Thank you for your good works.

Q: Hi, With CDN interest rates maybe coming down I'm wondering if a switch from a covered call utility ETF (ZWU) to an equal weight ETF like ZUT makes sense? ZUT though has a fairly high MER, so is there a better option, or maybe better to just buy individual stocks. Thanks.

Q: Is the main purpose of a covered call ETF to increase income but have a flip side to potentially limit gain?