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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I am looking for a good Canadian high dividend ETF. VDY seems to have the best performance following the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. Can you tell me a bit more about the latter index and stocks are selected. I know the CDZ, also has some set criteria for selecting stocks based on dividend payment history. Thank you in advance for your comments!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on February 25, 2021
Q: My two main holdings are QQQ and VIG in the US and ZQQ and VFV and ZQQ in Canada. I'm looking for two medium risk etfs that will balance these with CD, OIL, Financials, health, and industrials . I'd like reasonable growth expected in the next few years but with a manageable lower risk beta?
1) Can you suggest 2 CDN ETFS
2) Can you suggest 2 US ETFS
3) Can you suggest 2-3 emerging markets ETFS

PS can you also explain why TDOC seems to have a beta of .15??? Considering its growth, that seems impossible?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on February 23, 2021
Q: First a big thank you for the terrific returns we received in 2020 thanks to your stellar guidance (our largest holdings we first discovered through 5i -hello LSPD,XBC and WELL!). We gifted our kids memberships in December and praise your service to everyone. This is truly an invaluable service.
Now to the question, my brother is tired of paying high fees for his CIBC pension holdings. When I looked into this for him last year, some pools had MER in the 2% range! He’s moved the following into cash and is looking for lower fee/higher return alternatives in the following areas of his pension account:
-Imperial Canadian Dividend Income Pool
-Imperial Canadian Equity High Income Pool
-Imperial US Equity Pool
-Imperial International Equity Pool
-Imperial Short Term Bond Pool
-Imperial Long Term Bond Pool
Please charge as many questions as required.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on January 21, 2021
Q: Happy New Year Peter and the 5i team! Thank you for another year of useful steady independent information flow to guide 5i members.

I am considering adding 5 large-cap or mid-cap Canadian sustainable dividend growth stocks that are currently under-valued in unloved sectors and now yielding at least 3%. MFC and SU stand out. What is your opinion about both as medium risk investments over the next 3-5 years?

In addition, please indicate your 3 best stock alternatives, and 3 best ETFs, in the medium risk large cap or mid-cap Canadian space with a solid record of dividend growth.

I realize this is a broad request so please deduct points as you deem appropriate.
Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by SG on January 04, 2021
Q: Hey there,
All of these etfs pay good dividends for a retiree. Can you compare/contrast the risks associated with each and in particular, and is there any compelling reason to switch to VRIF?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by kelly on November 17, 2020
Q: I/we have held XEI for some years across 2 TFSA accounts and 2 RRIF accounts (a holdover from a past full service investment service at a major bank). Based on original costs we are down 16.65%. This fund has performed badly this year despite some market recovery. I am considering selling a good part of these positions to purchase individual Canadian dividend paying stocks, growth stocks or other ETFs even though we can't realize any tax losses here. Is taking this loss a good idea? Should we hang on? Ideas and comments please. The good news is that, at the same time, we established positions in XSP and IVV which have done well. We are mid stage retirees with good cash flow and aiming to leave a nice legacy for family.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on October 27, 2020
Q: I am down in XEI and ZRE about 20% and 25% respectively;
in DGRO 2%.
Do you think it is worth waiting for a turnaround or should I
look to exchange for something more hopeful?
Although DGRO is only down a bit it has never gone up.
Would something like VUG be more growthy?
I would appreciate your assessment.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Sam on October 20, 2020
Q: Hi

I am retiring in the near future and am looking at increasing my income based positions. I am looking for a REIT or ETF. Can you suggest any? Currently I am not holding any.
Read Answer Asked by Stuart on September 21, 2020
Q: Hi
If you had to put together a shopping list of solid long term dividend payers that you could pick-up if things went on sale again in the coming quarters, what would you buy? I'd want yields north of 7% so it would have to be a good sale. :)
And if you wanted to do it in one swoop with an ETF, would one of these be suitable: XEI or XDIV?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on September 01, 2020
Q: Can you please recommend what you believe is currently the best Canadian dividend ETF for monthly income and relative stability in this unstable market. You have recommended XEI in the past, but it has about about 11% more Energy stocks compared to ZDV, although XEI does have 5% less financials. I am looking for a long term hold for income in retirement. Thanks, Grant
Read Answer Asked by Grant on April 27, 2020
Q: you recently ranked XEI more highly than CDZ. Could you offer a comparison between the 2? I have read elsewhere that CDZ, which I own, holds too many high yield/high risk
stocks. Would substituting XEI address that, or would it create its own issues?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by M.S. on April 16, 2020
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