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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, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on January 11, 2021
Q: I'm currently trying to diversify my RIF account for 2021. I've trimmed some over weight holdings to free up some cash. I have NA covered with stocks in Canada and a couple of ETF's for the US but, nothing for the rest of world.
How would you currently rate the above now, hopefully for the coming recovery post COVID. I note, South America is not represented. do I need to consider it separately?
I'm inclined to go with 2 positions @ about 6% ......your opinion please!
All the best to you and everyone at 5i for the new year!
Read Answer Asked by Henry on January 04, 2021
Q: Whats are your thoughts on the following sets of ETFs ?

Set -1

iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (XUU)
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)
Invesco QQQ (QQQ)

set-2

XEC, XEF, XIC, VUN
Read Answer Asked by Kapil on December 29, 2020
Q: In a previous question I asked the following:

I am looking to purchase both XEF and ZEM to increase my international exposure. Any recommendations of percentage allocations to each? Thank You
Answer:
We can't personalize allocations, but if we owned these we would look to 10% XEF and 5% ZEF.

In relationship to your answer, Portfolio Analytics suggests I have 35% in foreign market exposure and the answer given would make up 15% of the 35%. Are there any other ETF's you would suggest to make up the remaining 20%? I realize you don't give personized advise, however I'm looking for a generalization to increase my international exposure?
Thank You
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on December 18, 2020
Q: Overall happy with my portfolio, shifted some riskier holdings to more largecap/div arristocrat ETFs to ride out the fun so far this year. Wondering if we are getting to good timing for shifting some assets to more aggresive/targeted holdings. I would like to sell some VIG and replace it with something else. Say 2X 2% positions. What 2 holdings would you buy right now in a registered account to replace VIG, or would you justt continue to hold VIG at this time. Only restriction is to not be canadian but could be CAD$ fund or ETF. Some options I am considering are rbf1067 or XEF for 1 position and the other a US or global/china play stock like baba. Looking for momentum upside as compared to VIG.
Read Answer Asked by Tom on December 04, 2020
Q: I have about 8 grand of my portfolio allocated for these 2 ETFS. Just wondering how you would weight them. For a 20 year hold. Maybe lean toward Japan as they are more allied with the US, but then again Japan is drowning under Debt.
thanks

XEF = Japan, UK, France, Switzerland, Germany,
XEC = China, Taiwan, Korea, Brazil, India

Read Answer Asked by Gordon on November 16, 2020
Q: I need to increase my Global ETF or ETFs (ex- North America) exposure. I currently have some VIU but am wondering if I should consider a couple geographic areas: Europe, Asia, Japan etc. My preference would be something I can hold in CAD non-hedged and preferred non covered call.
Read Answer Asked by Sandy on October 29, 2020
Q: Looking to increase my exposure in International Equities. Currently have 20% of entire portfolio in XEC/XEF at a 75/25% split. Are these fine ETF to continue to purchase or do you recommend better international ETF.
Read Answer Asked by William on October 22, 2020
Q: Hi,

I use these two broad ETF's to get exposure outside N.A. I'm in my late 30's and a growth investor. I know you can't give personalized advice, but what would be your suggested allocation towards these four buckets, VEE, XEF, Cdn, and US stocks? I have a spreadsheet to keep track of my holdings and allocate my holdings based on where they trade, although many companies may generate revenue in other countries. Is this too simplistic? I'm just trying to keep it easy to manage.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on September 23, 2020
Q: Hi 5i
I am looking to add international exposure to my portfolio and would like your recommendations
Read Answer Asked by Peter on September 21, 2020
Q: Which currently available Canadian EFT/s with would you recommend for purchase to increase international companies content in a portfolio?
Thank you,
Miroslaw
Read Answer Asked by Miroslaw on September 09, 2020
Q: All of my international holdings in my portfolio are in XEF and ZDI. I'm an income investor primarily. Do these two holding offer enough diversification? Is there a international dividend ETF that your prefer over ZDI?

Thanks,

Joe
Read Answer Asked by Joe on August 20, 2020
Q: Hi 5i,
I am considering selling my position in XIN. Would you have a better replacement in this inviroment
Read Answer Asked by earl on August 19, 2020
Q: July 10 2019 you gave the following opinion on EDG100
"We are generally not huge fans of mutual funds for their higher fees, but EDG100 is an exception that has consistently justified the higher fees through its performance. We would be fine keeping it."
1) Just wondering what your thoughts are on this mutual fund today and are the high fee still justified by it performance?
2) What alternative that operate in the same space would you suggest looking into?
Read Answer Asked by Paul on August 17, 2020
Q: As part of my shift from managed products to ETFs I need to top up all or a combination of ve, spy and xef. This will be a rather large transaction so I am leaning towards 25% of the amount in each ETF and keeping 25% in cash counting on covid related market dips over the next few months.
Read Answer Asked by Tom on June 15, 2020
Q: Looking to add some tax efficient income to an otherwise well diversified portfolio. What do you think of the above mentioned ETFs? Could you suggest a couple of more?
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Carlos on June 08, 2020
Q: I'm looking to convert a RESP invested in mutual fund (chorus II agressive growth) to lower fees and menage it more actively. Kids are 5 and 2 years old.

I was thinking to diversify with 3 or 4 ETF for 70% of this portfolio. What are your thoughts about a combinaison of VFV, XIC, XIT, ZQQ and DXG for long term? Do you have better suggestions?

Althought, is investing in XIT and ZQQ and DXG a good idea on short term since tech valuation is already high at this moment compared to other sectors?

For the rest of portfolio (30%), i would go with stocks. What would be your top 4 on short term (next 6-12 months) and on long term?
Read Answer Asked by Francois on June 02, 2020
Q: HI 5i, I would like to replace these 3 ETFs with a more robust/aggressive ETFs or individual stocks.
Thanks
f
Read Answer Asked by Fernando on May 26, 2020
Q: 5i Hello,
I have these EFTs on my RRSP and not feeling happy with them, can you suggest some possible candidates I could switch to, or just sell them all and with profits buy CSU LSPD SHOP GOOG AMZN.
Thank
F
Read Answer Asked by Fernando on May 21, 2020
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