Investment Q&A

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

Q: Is there any ETF without covered call you would recommend that holds similar stocks as SMAX. Either in USA or CDN dollars. I prefer CDN dollars.

Thanks for the great service

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: 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: 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: My company has a one year horizon before we need the money that is currently invested in stocks and for the better part are under water. We are currently sitting on 50% cash and would like to invest the money to try to make some capital gain to offset the losses. I know as we all know that one year is very little but we trust that the market will be higher in April 2024. Do you agree with that thesis and if so where would you invest money in order to keep a safe and optimal return? Please answer by percentage of where through index funds and secondly would you put time horizon to invest in slices or all in now?
Thanks for your precious help.

Yves

Q: Thinking about taxation and witholding taxes.
Are there any of these holdings that should not belong in a CELI?

ISHARES CDN SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX ETF XDV
ISHARES CORE MSCI EMG MKTETF IEMG
ISHARES CORE S&P 500 INDXETF(CAD-HEDGED) XSP
ISHARES CORE S&P/TSX CAPPED COMPOSITE INDX ETF XIC
ISHARES MSCI EAFE IDX ETF(CAD-HEDGED) XIN
ISHARES SEL DIVIDEND ETF DVY
ISHARES SP/TSX CAPPD REITINDEX ETF
HYG
ISHARES TR-RUSSELL 2000 VALUE INDEX IWN
SCHWAB STRATEGIC TR US REIT ETF SCHH
VANGUARD FTSE DEVELOPED MARKETS ETF VEA
BMO US DIVIDEND ETF ZDY
ISHARES CORE S&P 500 INDXETF XUS
ISHARES CORE S&P/TSX CAPPED COMPOSITE INDX ETF

Q: Hello 5i Team,

We recently settled my parents estate and the 3 sons (me included) received a fairly large transfer in the form of 5 ETFs including ZAG (9%), XEF (11%), XUS (3%), XIC (13%) and VFV (12%). This now represents almost half of the total portfolio whereas the remainder is invested in diverse stocks and some other ETFs mostly on your advice. I think you like ZAG for bonds but I’d like to ask if any of the other ETFs seem problematic to you or would you switch any with a similar focus? We also own some XQQ, WXM, IWO and VUN (all at about 2% each). Looking to retire in 10-15 years and with a pretty good risk tolerance.

Thank you for your help!

John

Q: Good afternoon,

Looking for some general guidance.

I currently have 25% of my portfolio in CAD-listed US ETF's - 14% XUU, and 11% ZSP. I have a few questions for you guys....

1. Would you ever put just 25% in (either) ETF or do you like that fact theyre different (I think you recommend no more than 15% per ETF max? is that correct?). I'd see the advantage of all-in one being better for DRIP'ing but think you (and me) prefer diversification.

2. I would like to add more American holdings in general (maybe 8% more to get to 33%). I am mostly interest in CAD-ETF's to achieve this. Would you view XQQ or XUS as a way to add some 'torque'?

Thanks for your help.

Q: Good morning,

I have some cash and am looking to add more non-Canadian content to my stock portfolio which is 79.5% Canadian stocks. I have only 4.5% in Europe in FEZ (US$) and XEU (C$), and 16% in individual US stocks. I have no emerging markets. I am thinking of adding to XEU because the European market is cheaper than the US and the large number of value stocks in the ETF should benefit from re-opening in Europe. For a balanced investor would it be reasonable to double Europe to 9% by adding to XEU bringing foreign content to 25%?

Q: So I'm a lot less diversified than I thought and have something like 35+% of my investments in Tech. I have a good deal of money in XUS, XUU, and XAW. I thought I was getting diversification, but I didn't realize how heavily weighted in Tech (25% or more) these ETFs were. A few smaller investments (SKYY, IGV, GOOG) put me far more into the Tech space than I realized.

What's the best way to invest in broad ETFs without being so heavily invested into Tech? I feel like 20% is already a high weighting for this sector

Q: Hey Guys,

I'm thinking of building up my portfolio with ETF's, currently my companies are BTCC.B, ARKK, XUS, HCLN, PSYK. Any suggestion on good additions, and thoughts on these ETF's.

Thanks

Q: Looking for a 2nd opinion.
My wife has stayed out of the stock market for quite some time. I think now's a great time to get in.
We've got about $75K in her RRSP/LIRA My strategy for her is as follows:
XBB 20%
VCN 15%
XUS 40%
XAW 25%
The plan is to buy in in installments over the next 3 months.
Are there alternate ETFs that may be better than the allocation above?
Does this strike you as reasonable ?

Q: Considering buying US large caps ETF when things turn more positive.
To hedge or not to hedge with the Cdn$ having fallen so much largely but not only because of the Russia/Saudi war on the price of oil - which will get resoved. I understand under normal circumstances your preference for not hedging.
Thanks for your great service especially during these uncomfortable times.

Q: Just curious which Canadian listed ETF's you would hold for the quickest rebound. I hold XUS,XWD,ZQQ,ZUT,ZEB.
Thanks
Carl

Q: Hi 5i,

The recent run up is starting to make me a little nervous.

Everything else being equal, is this a time to think about reducing weightings in something like an SP500 or other broad market ETF and perhaps move to something more defensive?

Thanks

Q: Would you have any issues with these 3 ETF's taking up 50% of a portfolio, the other 50% is 25% growth and 25% div stocks that have operations in both US and CDN.

Thanks
PF

Q: Are there tax implications to holding XUS and XSP in a TFSA?

Q: Since the tax benefits for HXT, HXQ, HTB, HXS have or will be diminished, is there any reason to continue to hold them or should we be switching to other etf's, is so which ones would you recommend?
Thanks for your service.

Q: looking for an S&P 500 ETF with low fees. do you prefer a hedged or unhedged ETF? i am considering the ZSP and TDB902 or any other you would recommend. 20 year time horizon.