Investment Q&A

Q: Thanks for the recommendation on XIC. As with many ETFs linked to the Cdn market, it appears to be weighted to financials, energy and materials (~ 65%). If you were to want to cover the Canadian market in a more balanced way (sector-wise) by owning XIC and a few stocks, what stocks would you add on? Please prefer BE stocks. This is for an RRSP with a 30-year horizon. Thanks very much.

Q: Dear 5i,
During the past week I had been deploying extra cash to rebalance my lower weighted holdings. I hold most of your BE Porfolio, some growth and a handful of US stocks. I have limited dry powder left to deploy and have significant losses in RRX and AEM (only energy / gold holdings except for ENB). I know you don't recommend buying the tsx index b/c it is weighted in resources and financials. I also have a little USD $ left. I am thinking of selling the loosers above for the capital loss and just buy the TSX index and the S&P 500 index with my remaining USD$. What do you think of this plan? Which index funds do you recommend?
Thanks,
Kerri

Q: I have over $30k of ENB in my TFSA which is 100% of my TFSA. How would you recommend I diversify my TFSA. Do you recommend any combination of stocks or ETF's?

Q: My daughter (aged 30) has just opened a TFSA and I'd like your recommendation as to what company (s) to invest in with an initial contribution of $3,500.
Your service is much appreciated.
Thank you
Deborah

Q: I am looking for an ETF for RESPs for my three grandchildren. The eldest is 8 yrs old, so the money will not be needed for some time. I would like conservative growth, if there is such a thing. I am thinking of XIC or CDZ. Or maybe you could suggest something else. The amounts are about $5K so one ETF is probably best, for now. Thanks

Q: I am setting up an all ETF portfolio for a 20 yr plus holding period and I have a two-part question. The first part concerns the makeup of the Canadian/US component. Is it better to go with a combination of SPY and XIC or would including CDZ and VIG provide stability and perhaps a bit more growth to the mix (keeping in mind that I intend to hold at least 5% of each but don't need income yet)?

Secondly, I am looking for higher risk assets for my TFSA. I was thinking of IWO. I know that there are specialized sectors I could include but I looking for a fairly hands-off approach. Do you think this approach would serve me well - I know that it is only one asset type - or is there a better mix out there that would still be quite manageable?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I've been a member of 5i for about two years and your help has been substantial. Thank-you. I currently own a portfolio that closely mirrors your balanced portfolio.

My question today relates to one asked recently about Warren Buffet's wishes regarding his investments should he die. I believe it was somethink like 10% to short term bonds and 90% to the S&P 500. I'm seeking advice regarding what a kind of portfolio a Canadian should develop in a similar situation. My wife has no interest in day to day stock analysis. Should she inherit our portfolio, I'd like to construct a 'buy and hold' ETF portfolio, in addition to our current portfolio, with exposure to Canada, the United States and the rest of the world. This would comprise the equity part of a more complete portfolio. Hopefully, it would have the potential to show resonable gains with little attention by the owner. My question is: which 3 ETF's would you choose to gain exposure to the 3 markets for a Canadian who simply wants to buy and hold? What % would you put into each ETF?
All the best to you and your families for the holiday season.

Q: My son starting his TFSA, and has 5K to invest. What would you suggest?

Q: WE HOLD THE ABOVE STOCKS IN OUR CHILDS RESP AND HAVE A FEW THOUSAND TO ADD, WE WONDER SHOULD WE ADD TO ONE OF THE ABOVE OR ADD AN ADDITIONAL STOCK. SHE HOLDS ABOUT 10% OF EACH

Q: My daughter wants to start a TSFA with $5000.00. This will be a long term investment with nothing else added for at least a year or two. She is 24. Would you recommend a couple of stocks or would etf's be the way to go? Which stocks or Etf's would you suggest? Thank you.

Q: What would you pick as the best handful of etfs to own to build a beginner, well balanced portfolio for building up investment dollars? At what dollar amount would you see it to be more beneficial to split the money among 20-30 individual stocks rather than a few funds?

Q: I would like to buy some etfs but am concerned about liquidity. I would prefer to buy US Europe and emerging markets in US currency. Can you recommend the best etfs in canada US europe and EM thar have a large nuber of shares traded daily?

Q: May I please have your opinion on taking a new position in gold? I am an ultra conservative investor, retired for 14 years, who covers all my daily living expenses through company and government pensions, and use investment income primarily for holidays and extra pursuits. Most of my investments are in fixed income such as GIC's, preferred ETF's, and bond ETF's. Would you recommend a gold ETF or a specific equity? Thanks!

Q: I've been unsuccessful picking my own stocks thus far but have roughly 15k sitting in cash (afraid to lose it). What/How would you suggest investing this amount to return consistently over a long period.

Thank you

Q: Two questions: Can you recommend a simple/small set of low-fee ETFs for a young, long-term investor for a TFSA, and one for an RRSP? (If not the same.)

Thanks very much.

Q: Hi 5i
I am heavily in financials 32% am working to diversify in my portfolio. I have listed a number of my invested companies. Investments are in Can. Cash, TFSA & RRSP heaviest in (RRSP)
I would like to re-invest in divided stocks and 2 ETFs. can you advise which would be best replaced and list a few that are in your top considerations.
Thanks,
Scott


Thanks, Scott

Q: Hello 5i - I am soon to become a grandparent and would like to start a $1,000 portfolio the day the baby is born and continue contributing $1,000 on each birthday for the next 18 years. Which two stocks, or ETF(s), if that would be a better choice, would you suggest starting with?

Q: Good afternoon,

I'm thinking of replacing individual stocks that I've held for a long time in my RRSP with either XAW or VXC for the foreign portion of the RRSP portfolio and adding XIC or XIU for the Cdn portion of the portfolio. Is this a good idea and if so which would be your preference and recommendation. Thank you.

Q: Hello.
I need some advice on ETF, one Canadian and one US. I was thinking Spy for US but not sure for Canadian ETF. I own 27 equities 65% CDN & 35% US. I have two accounts that I would like each one to contain an ETF. I would then twice a year take all my dividends and repurchase shares in the same ETF. Seeing that the ETF holds many equities in different sectors to my way of thinking I would not have to think of asset allocation nor the size of my position.? Or should I? Right now all my positions are below 5%. Good Strategy?

Regards.

Q: Hi 5i, I'm moving money from my broker (40+ stocks, 500K) to a few ETFs (Equal Weight) , I'm considering the following ETFs: XIC, IWO, CDZ, SPY, FDN, and FIE; would you please help me choose four or five ETFs from the list, I'm looking for moderate growth, and of course preservation if capital.
Thanks