Investment Q&A

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

Q: I am connected to a 41 year old who is about to start investing and putting some money away for retirement

He has very little investment knowledge
He has about $ 200,000 to invest We are going to start with his TSFA and make the maximum contribution and then we will set one up for his wife

Where is a good place to start Would you recommend a basket of ETF's or buying individual stocks His investment horizon is 20 to 25 years

Which are your preferred ETF'S or your 6 equities

Thank you very mucb

Paul

Q: What etf (or more than one) do you like to cover the broad Canadian market? There are so many, and they are so overweight in financials and resources. I would be most interested in one that has a lot of holdings, but welcome your opinion/advice if you think a smaller holding is more appropriate. This is for a non-registered account, so tax-deductible investment ideas are welcome.

Q: I asked this question several hours ago but did not get a response.I don't know if you respond the same day...so I am asking again. I have a non-registered account and would like to buy an eTF that is Canadian in content, to reap possible tax benefits. Can you recommend one that holds many stocks. There are so many - it is really hard to pick the one that holds the most stocks representative of all sectors. Or do you feel an S&P/TSX EFT holding just 60 is the way to go? Thank you.

Q: The above 5 etfs are core holdings with VXC and XHY at 15% each and the others at 10% each. The balance of my portfolio is made up of a diversified set of individual stocks (Canadian companies). I am considering exchanging XIN with ZWE to still have European exposure but with a better yield or should I keep XIN and just add ZWE to my core holdings? As always, thanks for the advice.

Q: Hi,

Just as a follow up to David's question today about building a simple index etf portfolio. I noticed you did not recommend any ex North America exposure. I thought the mantra was 1/3 equity Canada 1/3 u.s and 1/3 outside NA.

Thank you!

Q: Hi 5i,
I have 200K invested on these ETFs as follows:
XEC: 10% VUN: 25% XQB: 35% XEF: 10% XIC: 20%

My time horizon is 5 years, How can I change my current setup to make it more rewarding, These are outside RRSP.

thanks
Fernando