Investment Q&A

Q: Brian Belski of BMO has been on CNBC 2-3 times recently.

Looking at global investment opportunities he is consistent in rating USA as still his favourite.

BUT he beats the drum more vigorously for CANADA.

Do you agree with him?

More importantly what etf (s) would you recommend to capitalize on Canada’s upside potential and relative cheapness compared to the USA.

Thank you.

Q: My daugter is 22 years old, finishing her last year of university. She has some extra cash ($2500) and has just opened a TFSA. What stock or ETF would you buy today? Can you give a few options and put them in order of risk?
Thank you for your great service.

Q: Looking at the BEPORT's asset allocation & stats area would it be possible to do a blog on how to interpret the numbers here attached to such terms as max drawdown, upside capture etc. in relation to the XIC?

Q: Can you pls recommend a CDN ETF to follow the TSX index, with a broad holding, reasonable MER, and good chances of successful returns? Thank you.

Q: Hi 5iTeam,

I wish to setup a long-term equity portfolio for my child consisting of the following:

QQQ - 30%
SPY - 30%
XIC - 10%
VEA - 30%

Rebalancing will be done annually.

Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the risk-return profile of this portfolio? For example, should additional ETFs be added to incorporate "value", "small-cap", "emerging markets" and "frontier markets"?

Your comments are most appreciated.

George

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.

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.

Q: I would like to invest using only 4 ETFs. One for short bonds, one for all Canadian stocks, one for emerging markets, one for the whole US market, and one for the developed world (as wide as possible) excluding Canada and the US.

Which ETFs should I use?

Thanks

Q: Hi team,

I currently hold TD e-Series Funds in my RRSP and plan to replace them with other index ETFs. What would be your top 5 picks for this?
I have a high risk tolerance with a 25 year timeline.

Thank you

Q: Please recommend 4 index etf's Canadian for my TFSA and 4 US for my RRSP. If you recommend Bonds make it number 5 Looking at 15-20 year DRIP and hold.
Thanks
Cec

Q: Hello,
I am opening a RESP account for my 6month old son. In your opinion, is it better to invest in Stocks or ETFS? Can you please also provide me a top 3 stocks or ETFS in your mind?

Thanks!
Kelly

Q: Good morning,
Although a big fan and long time holder of all Mawer equity funds in my family portfolio, I'm now looking for the second time at dumping the MAW106 as a core holding given its inability to beat its benchmark index in the last few years probably due in part to its increasing popularity and size.
Would you kindly suggest a suitable ETF and/or a mutual fund replacement for MAW 106 or should I simply add to some my other existing core ETF holdings. I currently hold XIU, XIC, XDV and XEI.

Q: In my RRSP I would like to take a long term, very low maintenance approach. For this reason I have it all in index funds. I have a 30 plus year time horizon. Which funds would you recommend here? I currently have $60,000 invested in VFV, VUN, VGRO and XAW. Looking to front load these with $2000/ mo for the next 3 years and then stop contributing as I will be "semi-retiring." I'm 29 for context

Q: Can you suggest a few good ETF’s which should form the basis of one’s portfolio.

Also please suggest ETF’s for specific applications like..... high risk/ growth, dividend, US equities, Canadian equities, dividend stocks, tech stocks, emerging markets ..... and your choice of basket of ETF’s which a person could use to build a portfolio ( with % allocations)

Q: Hi gang, have $200,000.00 canadian to invest for 2-3 years. Just want to invest 50-50 Canada-USA. Would like to be as safe as possible. Some stocks and some ETF. If possible dividend paying one. Thanks
Alnoor.

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.

Q: Hi,

I'm a medium risk investor with a 5 year time frame.

Can you recommend 3 US ETFS to cover the whole US Market?
And 3 to cover the whole CDN market?
and 1 ETF to cover the international market?

Q: Would you prefer XIC or XIU or a combination of both for a purchase at this time, and why? Long term hold . Thankyou for your knowledge

Q: I have recently transferred my RSP as cash to a LIRA account in another institution. This is a substantial number waiting for investing. In less than 2 years I will need to start transferring to RIF.
I have a few questions
1. What is a period of time you recommend to spread the purchasing of investments.
2. In the meantime, I would like to park cash buying a short-term ETF. Should I get one such an ETF or more to reduce the risk? Which ETF or RTFs would you recommend: ZCS, XSB, VSB, or other?
3. I am looking to have a 50/50 mixture of growth and income. Can you list several stocks, bonds, ETF etc. you would recommend to purchase at this time?

I appreciate your recommendation.
Casimir

Q: I have a bit of money for an ETF, which Canadian ETF would be your number one choice for now.
Thanks for the help