Q: I am looking to simplify my non-registered investment portfolio for my retirement, which is now only 9 months away. I am looking to protect capital and create income. I am looking at one ETF and one fund as possible landing spots for my capital: XSP. And FID282.
Can you please compare and contrast these two funds for me? Are the different enough to warrant owning both? Is there anything else I should be considering?
Thanks in advance
DON
Investment Q&A
Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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Vanguard U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-hedged) (VUS)
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Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
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S&P 500 ETF TRUST ETF (SPY)
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Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
Q: Hello Peter and team,
Would you prefer VOO or VTI at this time? Also, is there an etf in canadian dollars (tsx) that mimics VTI similar to xsp on tsx and SPY? Thanks very much.
Q: Hello Peter,
Are both etfs providing similar exposure to US 500 index (similar to SPY) and are they hedged? Would you recommend one over the other or both are about the same? Thanks very much. Does hedged mean the securities are protected if Canadian dollar goes up or down?
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iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF (XFN)
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BMO Equal Weight Banks Index ETF (ZEB)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC)
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iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF (XIT)
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S&P 500 ETF TRUST ETF (SPY)
Q: Hello Peter,
For an RESP today and future contributions with focus on Canada and USA, I was thinking of allocating more monies to indexes such as xic and xsp and less to sectors such as xfn or zeb , and xit. What are your thoughts? Also, i noticed that xsp has not done as well as SPY. i am assuming it is do to currency. In an RESP, I would think xsp on toronto and SPY on NYSE, both have withholding taxes.. Please comment. Thank you
Q: What Canadian ETF would you recommend that follows the S&P 500 index. Of your top choice please suggest a hedged and unhedged ETF and which would you recommend, hedged or unhedged. Is your recommendation solely based on the ETFs MER. Thanks … Cal
Read Answer-
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares MSCI World Index ETF (XWD)
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TD Global Technology Leaders Index ETF (TEC)
Q: My 25 years old son is starting a portfolio by buying all equity ETFs XSP (30%), TEC (30%), and XWD (40%) in Canadian dollars, which he intends to hold for a long time. 1. Is the selection of ETFs OK ? 2. Are there better alternatives in performance and fees? 3. Is the allocation OK? 4. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks.
Read Answer-
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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Evolve FANGMA Index ETF (TECH.B)
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Evolve FANGMA Index ETF (TECH)
Q: Hello Peter and team,
Can you please provide explanations of how these etfs work in terms of hedge and unhedged. XSP tracks the 500 US index but it is hedged to the canadian dollar. Does this mean that if the Canadian dollar goes up, there will be no impact currency wise. Tech.B tracks the 6 large tech companies but it is unhedged. What does that mean in relation to the tech etf which tracks same stocks but it is neither hedged or unhedged as the tech.b is doing better lately? Much appreciated, and thank you.
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Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
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Royal Bank of Canada (RY)
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Toronto-Dominion Bank (The) (TD)
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Canadian National Railway Company (CNR)
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Suncor Energy Inc. (SU)
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BCE Inc. (BCE)
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Enbridge Inc. (ENB)
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Loblaw Companies Limited (L)
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Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF)
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TELUS Corporation (T)
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Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW)
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Fortis Inc. (FTS)
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Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR)
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Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN)
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Magna International Inc. (MG)
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Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI)
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Savaria Corporation (SIS)
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BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF (ZRE)
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BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (ZLU)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)
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Evolve Global Healthcare Enhanced Yield Fund (LIFE)
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Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC)
Q: Hi Peter & 5i,
Wishing you and the staff a joyous holiday season!
Would you see any red flags in this portfolio for a conservative investor needing the dividends for cash flow. The portfolio would be 50% equities and 50% fixed income - 5 year laddered GIC's.
Here are the stocks and their proposed weightings:
Financial Royal Bank RY 5.7%
TD Bank TD 3.6%
Sun Life SLF 4.4%
Power Corp POW 4.0%
Utility Fortis FTS 5.7%
Brookfield Renewable BEPC 4.2%
Algonquin Power AQN 2.2%
Comm TELUS T 4.7%
Bell BCE 4.1%
Cons Staple Costco COST 4.3%
Loblaws L 4.0%
Cons Discr. Magna MG 3.8%
Restaurant Brands QSR 2.4%
Industrial CN Rail CNR 5.2%
Savaria SIS 3.6%
Energy Enbridge ENB 4.6%
Suncor SU 2.9%
Materials Nutrien NTR 4.3%
Real Estate BMO-Equal Weight ZRE 4.2%
Tech Thomson Reuters TRI 4.8%
Health Evolve Global Health LIFE 3.8%
ETF BMO-Low Volatility US ZLU 8.7%
iShares-US Equity-Hedge XSP 4.8%
Thanks so much for the fantastic service.
Q: I am looking for some US exposure. Out of these two ETF's what would you choose for US exposure and why? Thanks.
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Royal Bank of Canada (RY)
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Toronto-Dominion Bank (The) (TD)
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Bank of Nova Scotia (The) (BNS)
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Bank of Montreal (BMO)
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TELUS Corporation (T)
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Constellation Software Inc. (CSU)
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Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)
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Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Class A Limited Voting Shares (BAM.A)
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Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC)
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iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF (CDZ)
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Vanguard Dividend Appreciation FTF (VIG)
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PowerShares QQQ Trust Ser 1 (QQQ)
Q: What 4 dividend stocks or ETFs would you suggest for a long term hold to see the power of compounding
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BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged To CAD Index ETF (ZQQ)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF (XEG)
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Invesco QQQ Index ETF (QQC.F)
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Topicus.com Inc. (TOI)
Q: Recently I sold units in FID6000 in my grandson's RESP because of its poor year to date performance and high MER. We did book an overall gain of 130% over a 3 year period. The RESP account owns a variety of income producing positions. that have modest gains. I am looking to invest in something growth oriented, with maybe a 3 to 5 year horizon ahead. I am considering splitting between one or two ETFs listed above and possibly TOI. Do you expect further growth from TOI?. Opinions on ETF's please. Moderate risk OK. Canadian currency only account.
Read Answer-
BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged To CAD Index ETF (ZQQ)
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BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP)
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iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (XUU)
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iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XQQ)
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Vanguard U.S. Total Market Index ETF (VUN)
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S&P 500 ETF TRUST ETF (SPY)
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PowerShares QQQ Trust Ser 1 (QQQ)
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iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT)
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Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
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iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA)
Q: What are the Can ETFs that cover the main US ETFs, like SPY? And what are their mers?
What are the advantages of using these Canadian versions?
Do you still require W-BEN forms if you buy these?
Thanks for all your help.
Q: Are there any tax disadvantages to adding XSP or ZSP to a non-registered account?
Read Answer-
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF (XFN)
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BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (ZDV)
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BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB)
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BMO Equal Weight Banks Index ETF (ZEB)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC)
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iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI)
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iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XQQ)
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iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF (CDZ)
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Hamilton Canadian Bank Mean Reversion Index ETF (HCA)
Q: Is this ETF a safe way to invest in the banking sector in a RRIF account for income and some growth and do you believe the strategy used by this ETF can outperform other ETF such as ZWB or ZEB. Can you suggest a couple of alternatives ETF that are more appropriate for a RRIF or do you feel it is better to just own the individual banks.
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Constellation Software Inc. (CSU)
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Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)
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BRP Inc. Subordinate Voting Shares (DOO)
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Kinaxis Inc. (KXS)
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goeasy Ltd. (GSY)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC)
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iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (XIU)
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Aritzia Inc. Subordinate Voting Shares (ATZ)
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Real Matters Inc. (REAL)
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WELL Health Technologies Corp. (WELL)
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Boyd Group Services Inc. (BYD)
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Topicus.com Inc. (TOI)
Q: As of today, what would be your top 10 most stable Canadian companies, or ETF's, to invest in. Stable meaning those best able to ride out any market or economic downturn. Dividends are always nice but not essential. Thanks as always.
Read Answer-
iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC)
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iShares MSCI EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XIN)
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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE)
Q: Is there a set/portfolio of ETFs you would recommend for a medium risk investor to ”set and forget” forever? What % allocation would you attribute to each? Timeframe would be for 25+ years.
Read AnswerQ: Hi, I realize you are not tax experts but wonder if you could help. I sold short XSP ETF in 2020 and have some net realized losses to report. I have heard that CRA requires G/Ls on short sale as income not realized gains. Is this correct and on what line of my return would I report it. Thanks.
Read Answer-
iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW)
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BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP)
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares MSCI World Index ETF (XWD)
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Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada Index ETF (VXC)
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RBC Global All-Equity Portfolio Series A (RBF526)
Q: hi, What yours thoughts for those Fund for 2/3% portfolio?
is it to expensive?
thanks jean guy.
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iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP)
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iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (XIU)
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Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index ETF (VE)
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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE)
Q: Words you hear often -"You can't beat the Index" . If one was to follow this theory - what would you invest in?
Read Answer
Q: I am looking to get some US exposure in my portfolio via an ETF. Both of these ETF’s have similar holdings. Can you please comment on which one you prefer and why.
Thank-you.