Investment Q&A

Q: I read somewhere that if you had just maxed out your TFSA contribution each year with an S&P 500 ETF, such as ZSP, then you would have well over $200K in your account by now.

Is there a website where you can input a security on a given date, and it will show you the value of that security today as if you had bought it on that given date?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: Good morning,

I own a substantial amount of MAW 108 in my Non Registered, TFSA and RRSP accounts.

After reviewing the numerous questions relating to VFV ETF and closely examining the annual performance of MAW 108 over the last 15 years, it is clear to me that VFV ETF has performed much better on the whole over a long period and that VFV or HXS would have been a better choice .

Given that there would be substantial capital gains tax incurred by replacing MAW 108 with VFV ETF or HXS ETF in my Non Registered account and therefore not an appealing option, what are your thoughts on:

Q1. Replacing MAW 108 with VFV or HXS in my TFSA and RRSP accounts;

Q2. Are there any withholding tax considerations in holding VFV or HXS in my TFSA and RRSP accounts?

Q3, Is VFV your preferred recommendation over HXS ETF, ZSP ETF, XUS ETF for holdings in a TFSA and RRSP account?

Thank you and I will await your usual sage and valuable advice.

Q: Hello, I am helping my 25 year old daughter put together a sleep at night portfolio. She is not a hands on or active investor.

She has about $ 100K and of these selections which ones would you suggest? And, what else would you recommend?
in Addition to Canada, I want US exposure with ZSP, especially with the potential growth of AI.
Thanks
Carlo

Q: I am looking to add exposure to the US market in my TFSA. I currently own ZSP and ZNQ and would like to add an ETF listed on the Cdn exchange that would balance my exposure to the Mag 7. I have seen you recommend EQL which I am considering however is there another ETF that would broaden my exposure beyond the S&P 500. Perhaps to include some mid and small cap stocks?
Also would you expect that mid and small caps will outperform given where we are in the market cycle?

Q: Would you buy both of these ETF's or is just one needed?

Thanks

Q: I have been unable to find a comparison between these 2 BMO US ETFs. Would you suggest one over the other for a senior well into retirement? Fixed income taken care of.

Q: Good morning - can you suggest some US S & P 500 ETF possibilities along with a recommended choice. Many thanks

al

Q: On October 24 you answered a question with the following " ZSP we think is fine for general US exposure (dollar hedged)" my understanding has been that ZSP is not hedged, and I found other sources supporting that. Am I wrong or misunderstanding, or did you misspeak? Thanks

Q: I don't have any ETF's and I would like to have one of Canadian stocks and one for US stocks. What do you think of the above etf's or could you suggest another one for each of the markets.
Thank you Dorothy

Q: Regarding your very quick response to my question yesterday where you stated "Capital gains are treated the same as Canadian gains, but must be converted to C$ for tax purposes." ZSP is a Canadian listed equity in Canadian dollars so I assume that I will not need to make any conversion when taking a capital gain? If I alternatively buy HXS (or HXQ) will capital gains be treated as Canadian only?
Thank you.

Q: If I buy ZSP in a non-registered account, are the dividends and capital gains treated as Canadian or US?

Q: For tax efficiency in a non registered account do you recommend HXS and HXQ over ZSP and ZNQ. For US dollars do you like HXS.U and HXQ.U.
For a long term hold what are your thought of HXT in this account?
Thanks

Q: Hi,

I'm looking to buy an S&P 500 ETF in Canadian dollars traded on the TSX.

What's your suggested ETF and which account should I hold it in?

I bank at BMOInvestorline if that makes any difference.

Thanks,
Robert

Q: On Jun 21st, you responded to A regarding stocks for a TFSA. My son has a smaller TFSA but a longer time frame. He currently holds ZSP in his TFSA and we have been looking at adding some stocks. We like all the ones you suggested, but some of them are also in the top ten holdings of ZSP. Would you suggest adding the individual stocks anyway? Or selling ZSP and holding only stocks? Our initial plan was to make ZSP about 20% of this TFSA and then hold 8-10 stocks. Also, what do you think of adding AXON and AMD to his TFSA at this time? Thank you.

Q: Over the next few months I’ll be duplicating the ETFMU Growth ETF portfolio inside my LIRA with retirement being 30 years away.

Out of the 13 ETFs in the portfolio , Which ones do you feel are a strong buy currently? Wanting to start purchasing the strong buys, highest convictions ETFs first.

Thank you,

Q: I am not sure that i got the correct information but is it possible that over the last 10 years the unhedged ETFs have far outperformed the hedged ETF. If that is the case, why
Thanks, Peter

Q: In a previous question you recommended ZSP be held in a RRSP so as to avoid the US withholding tax on dividends. Does the same tax rule apply to a RESP? If not & there is a US withholding tax on dividends, is it still worth holding ZSP in a RESP. Thanks … Cal

Q: Please explain the advantages and/or disadvantages between ZSP & ZSP.U. Thanks … Cal

Q: I want to invest in the S&P 500 in my unregistered accounts with HXS. Are you comfortable holding this total return ETF? Are there any known government issues with total return ETFs - I recall the Fed Government challenged these in the past? In registered family accounts I plan to use VFV and/or ZSP - do you prefer one over the other? For safety, would it be a good idea to use both?
Thanks!

Q: Dear 5i
For an RRSP , TFSA and cash account which ETF would be your preference , ZSP or VFV ?
Also do you expect the recently announced OPEC cuts to have a long lasting affect on oil prices ?
I`m reading that the price per barrel could reach $105 again within a few months . That being said do you believe there is going to be another leg up in oil stocks ? Gas stocks ?
Thanks
Bill C