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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 5i,
what are you top picks for non-Canada core ETF's for long term hold/accumulation? im looking for US markets, European, Asia, and India. I like very liquid entities, and a dividend is fine. If possible, can you include both hedged/unhedged to $CDN. I notice that most of the unhedged versions of the ETF's have higher annual returns-do you recommend hedging or no hedging for the $CDN?
thanks, Chris
Read Answer Asked by chris on September 12, 2024
Q: Can you give me your best choice for a new position to add to an RESP that has a long runway (12 years) ..it can be a Canadian traded stock or ETF or a CDR. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by David on September 12, 2024
Q: I am presently over invested inthe Technology Sector in the following,
IYW has 90% in Tech - own 150 shares
QQQ has 52% in Tech - own 25 shares
ZSP has 32% in Tech - own 480 shares
XWD has 26% in Tech - own 300 shares
VXC has 26% in Tech - own 200 shares
What is the best way to sell (all or part of) the above to reduce this category to 7% as suggested by your Potfolio Tracker?
Thanks for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on September 05, 2024
Q: What are your top 3 ETFs for buy and long term hold (10+ year) today?
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on July 15, 2024
Q: I'm looking to set up an annuity type of investment for my retirement using XUS or an equal weight CDN Hedged EFT that tracks the S&P 500. Can you provide some options and their historical annual dividend payments.
Read Answer Asked by stephen on June 27, 2024
Q: My niece is looking to enter the DIY investing world and move her TFSA over to an online self-directed account. Her advisor has her in these high fee accounts above. These look like funds for a retired person looking for income rather than for a 29 year looking to grow a TFSA with the goal to hopefully get a down payment for a condo some day. Could you please give some advice for a beginner investor, ETF's some Canadian and US equities to get her started. She's a bit nervous as all ne DIY investors are. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Nancy on June 25, 2024
Q: If using your balanced portfolio as my canadian content for an equity portfolio could you please recommend some equity etfs for ex canadian content and what % would be canadian of the total portfolio? I was thinking 40% and 60% outside canada

Thx
Read Answer Asked by blake on June 06, 2024
Q: Hi, I was looking for a US Growth ETF sold on the Cdn exchange that is the equivalent of VUG that I can buy with Cdn dollars.

Thx
Read Answer Asked by Kimbeley on May 30, 2024
Q: a sunlife life insurance policy was purchased for grandchildren as an investment for them on the advice of a financial planner- I am embarrassed to say so far $9000 in annual premiums has been paid, with 11 more remaining before the policy is paid in full. If I cancel this policy it will be a loss. However; the dollars which would have gone to sunlife could be used for a better investment. Your suggestions would be welcomed. Thank you- (P.S.- I submitted this ? a moment ago-but my screen went black so I don't no if the ? was sent the first time)
Read Answer Asked by jane on May 29, 2024
Q: Need to increase U.S. and Internation equity exposures in my RRSP. Current exposures are mainly from VBAL (25% weight of RRSP) and a small position in XLU, ZWU and XGD. I am considering adding SPY for U.S. equities. What do you think about this option, and what would be a good entry point? Also, what would be a good addition to increase international equity (ETF or stocks)? Knowing that you cannot provide personal answers I appreciate very much your comments. Much Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Hali on May 24, 2024
Q: Presumably ZSP and ZSP.U are identical except for the currency. Does ZSP.U also pay its distributions in USD? I currently own ZSP. Do you if it is possible to directly convert ZSP to ZSP.U or do I have to through the process of selling ZSP, converting the cash to USD and then buying in ZSP.U using USD? Thanks as always. Your service is great.
Read Answer Asked by Andre on May 10, 2024
Q: I've read your most recent questions on ZSP.U and you stated that this ETF was exempt from US withholding tax but it is a Canadian listed ETF so I'm not sure, could you please clarify. Also could I journal ZSP to ZSP.U. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Cheryl on May 09, 2024
Q: Morning
Which etf would you recommend for US exposure and why. Please rate them from 1-4
ZSP
VFV
VGG
XUS
Also thoughts on XEQT for all round exposure
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Michael on April 09, 2024
Q: Hello,
For a 25 year old passive investor with 20K US available , which of the above would you suggest for a long term hold? or would you suggest alternative(s)
Thanks
Carlo
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on March 13, 2024
Q: Dear 5i
I`m sure i`ve asked this question before but i cannot find your answer to this question .
Do you have to include ETF's that are Canadian listed that hold US stocks such as HXS and ZSP as part of my foreign reporting re foreign assets on my taxes ?
Also i have 3 ETF's that apparently have Trust or Partnership income (ZLB,CDZ,ZSP ). I have not received this notification before from my brokerage firm so i'm assuming this is a relatively new structuring of these particular ETF's . That said , is trust and partnership income taxed more or less than other forms of income ? Are you taxed on this income derived from capital gains , dividend or interest income ?
Thanks
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on March 04, 2024
Q: In a recent question concerning VFV held in a RRSP, you replied VFV is subject to Level 1 holding tax because it owns units in a US ETF. With regards to ZSP in a RRSP there is no Level 1 tax because ZSP holds individual US stocks & no US ETFs. Is this correct. Thanks … Cal
Read Answer Asked by cal on February 16, 2024
Q: There are a number of Canadian based NASDAQ100 and S&P500 ETF's. Which NASDAQ100 and S&P500 ETF would you prefer, or would be "best", for a TFSA account, and why? Would investing within an RRSP or in a non-registered account alter your selections and if so, why would that be? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on February 09, 2024