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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: Good morning, stay safe and keep up the good work.
My question is on hedged vs unhedged funds.
My son is 27 and his time horizon for any investment is long term.
Now that our Canadian dollar trades at an all time low against the USD, (last time we hit similar lows was in 2016/2017) and the chances that our CAD trades lower are relatively slim, wouldn't it be preferable to invest in a hedged fund version of the Nasdaq-100 indexed ETF. The reason being is that the return of an investment in a USD equity (when converted back to CAD) decreases in a strengthening CAD environment. On the flip side, in a weakening CAD environment, the same USD investment's return, when converted back to CAD, would be increased.
To recap: My assumption (might not be a valid one) is that our CAD can only increase in value against the USD. In this strengthening environment, isn't it better to purchase a hedged ETF ?
Read Answer Asked by Elaine on April 01, 2020
Q: Hi there, just a follow up to my previous question. You mentioned a good strategy to get back into the market was to buy a 5% tranche on a 5% dip in the QQQ. If purchasing in Canada in a registered account, would ZQQ/ZNQ be good choices? Also, would you be doing 50/50 ZQQ/ZNQ split? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 17, 2020
Q: I am looking to pair ETFs or stocks for growth and safety. What do you think about this idea and XMU [or ZLU] and ZUQ, for example. What portfolio percentage would you allocate to this strategy?
Read Answer Asked by sam on March 12, 2020
Q: Hi there,

Just a follow up to my previous question, where do you see the USD going in 2020 against the CAD? In the answer you had provided to me, you had suggested VSP for S&P500 exposure (as opposed to VFV). Does this imply you see the CAD strengthening against the USD in 2020?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on January 07, 2020
Q: Hi there, although predictions are kind of a guessing game, based on all your professional experience, do you foresee the SP500 and NASDAQ continuing to perform well in 2020? I am thinking of putting 10 percent of my portfolio in a SP500 etf and 10 percent in NASDAQ 100. I currently have no US exposure. What are your thoughts and which ETFs would you suggest for this play? Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on December 30, 2019
Q: Hi there, is the John Bogle Vanguard approach to investing a good one? I believe Buffett has a similar approach. Is a 2 US ETF equity portfolio good enough to get growth and global exposure, since many US companies operate on a global scale? Would a 50/50 split between ZQQ and VUN or a split between ZQQ and VFV be better? Can I go 100% into VUN/VFV? Are there better ETFs or is there a better approach to this? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on November 07, 2019
Q: I hold the above in my TFSA. I treat my TFSA as part of a total portfolio so although each is about 20% of my TFSA, my overall weight for each is 3% in my total portfolio. Needless to say my TFSA has not performed well this year. Each of these companies (Except for ZQQ) seems to have lost significant value this past year. 5i seems to still like these names but I am starting to think that they are going the same path as some previous darlings of 5i. So my question is: with a 5 year outlook, should I continue to be patient or sell any of these and move on.
By the way, I did ask a question last week and voiced my opinion on some comments....never got a reply??
Read Answer Asked by Rudy on August 08, 2019
Q: Good morning,
I need to increase the Health Care and a Tech sectors of my portfolio. Given that I wish to invest in Cdn$$$, my research for one ETF in each sector leads me to a choice among the ETFs listed above and 5i may have others that may be a better choice.
Question. What would be 5i's best of class ideas for a Health Care and Tech ETF to add to my portfolio and is there a preferred location (TFSA/RRSP/Non Reg acct) for these ETFs?
Thank you and I will await your valued suggestions/recommendations.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on May 13, 2019
Q: Hi, 60 year old investor. Wanted to get your thoughts on a portfolio consisting of about 11% each of zlb, xiu, wxm, zqq, zsp, zlu and ~ 33% zag. Won’t need the money for about 5 years. Thanks, Mike
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 15, 2019
Q: Hello, curious as to your recommendations for my TFSA. I currently hold all stocks in my RRSP, and a mix of mutual funds and etfs in my TFSA. I will soon be making a new TFSA contribution and must decide between adding a new name or topping up existing holdings. Funds likely to be held for a few years. Current holdings, in equal parts are
ETF's RIT, XWD and ZQQ, mutual funds include Fidelity Far East and Canadian Growth.
Have thought of HMMJ as well as TDB 3098 as possibilities.
Your Thoughts Please and Thanks. Lavern
Read Answer Asked by Lavern on March 05, 2019
Q: In response to a question this morning regarding ZQQ, XQQ, and HXQ, you stated that the fees for HXQ are lower than the other two. Are the swap fees included in the overall fees? Do the swap fees cause a drag on the return of HXQ?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on February 22, 2019
Q: which of the 3 ETF listed do you like the best? I am looking at buying the HXQ as it is not hedge but notice from reading the liquidity is not very good so if there was a problem would it hard to get out of this ETF if needed?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked on February 22, 2019