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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: I have an incorporated business investment account. There will be no new money coming in and I will not need the money for five to ten years. Currently, I have roughly 5% in each of CSU, SVI, WSP, MELI, and TSLA, and 10% in ZSP. The remainder is split between EIT and FIE, whose distributions are primarily capital gains and eligible dividends. Would you have some suggestions on how to tweak the portfolio? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on January 18, 2026
Q: Half of my RIF focuses on steady, monthly income and the other half on individual stocks. To balance safety with higher income, I am looking to have equal weight in FIE and HMAX. As I rely on this monthly income, what do you think of this approach for long term holding? Can you suggest better alternatives?
Read Answer Asked by Jean on December 19, 2025
Q: I am relooking at the Fixed Income portion of my portfolio. The bulk is bond funds, but it also includes a few GIC’s and a HISA. But what about Preferred Shares, EIT, FIE, TXF, and UMAX, all of which I hold STRICKLY for their distributions? I am currently grouping them in with my dividend stocks but maybe they should be included in Fixed Income? EIT and FIE have paid out the same distribution for ten plus years. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on June 30, 2025
Q: Hi 5i, I am looking for some new options for relatively conservative, monthly income funds. I would prefer no leverage and no return of capital. Over the years, you have mentioned these three funds (ZMI, XTR, FIE). Are there any new options that you would add to this list? Have the fundamentals changed on any of these three that would cause you to no longer recommend them? Thanks so much.
Read Answer Asked by Elizabeth on May 27, 2025
Q: 20% of my income portfolio is FIE (~6% yield) but I am considering a switch to XEI (~5% yield) for broader diversification. Which ETF is likely to perform better as interest rates decline?
Read Answer Asked by Jean on September 23, 2024
Q: In my TFSA,I have the DRIP turned on.My plan is to have ,half a dozen or so companies or ETF'S which lend themselves well to the DRIP account for the next 4 years, wanting conservative growth.
I currently have FIE,PZA AND EIF.
Are you comfortable with these holdings,and suggest some other names? Thankyou
Read Answer Asked by Steve on May 27, 2024
Q: Two questions,
Most Reits have not performed well in the last year,I hold Riocan and it seems to have done worse than most. I want some exposure to real estate going forward-Would it be a good idea to switch to another Reit at this time?If so,any suggestions?

FIE has done well for me,but has high management fee's. Would it be prudent to switch to something a little safer with lower fee's,like CPD or? Thankyou
Read Answer Asked by Steve on January 30, 2024
Q: In my TFSA I have full positions in ENB, T, TCL.A, and AQN. Objective is primarily steady income and some growth. I am looking to add FIE, SPB and CSW.A. What do you think?
Read Answer Asked by Jean on January 18, 2024
Q: Hello, I'm recently retired. I am seeking income generating vehicles for my various, registered plans (RRSP, LIRA, TFSA) to invest in. I'm considering an investment in ZWU. I'm wondering if there might be a similar, utilities based, covered call, ETF available for the American market?

Lastly, if any of these ETFs might also be available without the covered call overlay and if you believe that those versions of the ETFs might provide better, mid-term probability of a greater Total Return; I'd be interested in your opinion, as well.

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Richard on November 29, 2022
Q: In my non-registered account, I have had small holdings in MRG.UN and NWH.UN for years, as well as larger holdings in ZRE and FIE. I was wondering if I should consider selling all four and splitting the proceeds between GRT.UN, CAR.UN, CPX, and SLF. I am looking for income but would also like some capital appreciation.
What do you think? Note that I also hold ZRE and FIE in my RRSP and plan to keep both in that account. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on September 22, 2022
Q: Hi 5I. I am a small time investor looking to provide income for my wife if I should pass before her. Looking for monthly income to replace Gov. pensions. Can you suggest 2 or 3 ETF's or shares with monthly income. I would appreciate your input. Love your site
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by David on August 22, 2022
Q: Hi Team,
Could you suggest Canadian ETFs of the following sectors for Senior incomes :
1 /Reit 2/ Utility 3/Prefer 4/Bank/Financial 5/Energy.
Please deduct as many question credit as needed.
Thanks as always,
Tak
Read Answer Asked by Tak on October 12, 2021
Q: The worst house on my street, just sold for twice what the best home on my street went for 4 yrs ago.
Could you please name some of the leading indicators to keep an eye on, for if/when this all folds backwards.
Read Answer Asked by Cacey on October 07, 2021
Q: Hi 5i:

Can the Price to Earnings ratio (P/E) be used to determine the valuation of these yield plays or should I be looking at the Net Asset Value (NAV) instead?

Using P/E they rank cheapest to most expensive as: DFN, FIE, ZWC and EIT.UN. Is that accurate and if not, how would you rank them, cheapest to most expensive?

Thanks in advance,
Greg.
Read Answer Asked by Greg on July 28, 2021
Q: Good morning,

I am assuming with the pandemic easing and hopes some sense of normal is coming that banks will be allowed to raise dividends more regularly.

Would you see a need to switch from ZWB to FIE ?

Thanks
Jimmy
Read Answer Asked by Jimmy on July 09, 2021
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