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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 recently transferred my TFSA to a discount brokerage. CIF843 was part of this and then converted to CIF823 (non-trailing). I believe you are not in favour of mutual funds - nor I. Your opinion of this one? And a more attractive/similar ETF? Thanks, as always.
Read Answer Asked by James on November 07, 2025
Q: It is rare that I ask this question coming from an 84 year old senior, but all the above equal weighted ETF's are presently in my TFSA and can't decide how to invest for the 2025 contribution. Which ETF I should I be adding to the above list or should I be adding a new one that is not in the portfolio?
Also are any of those listed that do not belong in a TFSA?
Thanks for your usual great service.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on January 29, 2025
Q: I currently own a full weigh of the above listed ETFs and in light of President Trump's economic policies that are likely to benefit the financial sector, I'm looking at possibly adding XLF: US ETF to my US$ Non Registered account.


Q1. What would be your best idea for US$ ETF to add to a US$ Non Registered account at this time along with your rational for this choice?

Q2.What are your thoughts on XLF:US in terms of potential return for 2025 and the remainder of the Trump presidency?

Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on January 13, 2025
Q: If starting an RESP account today, would you go with Portfolio A or B? Will start drawing from account in 5 years.
A. VBAL
B. 40% XHY & 60% XWD, rebalanced annually
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on October 31, 2024
Q: I am presently over invested inthe Technology Sector in the following,
IYW has 90% in Tech - own 150 shares
QQQ has 52% in Tech - own 25 shares
ZSP has 32% in Tech - own 480 shares
XWD has 26% in Tech - own 300 shares
VXC has 26% in Tech - own 200 shares
What is the best way to sell (all or part of) the above to reduce this category to 7% as suggested by your Potfolio Tracker?
Thanks for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on September 05, 2024
Q: Hi there - thanks for your reply. Just a follow up for clarification. You mentioned XEQT has exposure to fixed income which you noted as a reason for a better etf for long term hold, but I think both XEQT and XWD are approximately 100% in equities, with a different approach to geographical weighting. Does this change your recommendation of XEQT over XWD long term? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on June 05, 2024
Q: Hi there - between these 2 etfs, which would you consider the better buy hold forever etf? Is there a better buy a hold forever etf other than these 2?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on June 05, 2024
Q: In your response to Francesco on March 13, 2024, you indicated that HEQT is 34% US but I think that is only the large cap portion. Also, previously you noted HEQT had 65% US exposure. A plot of historical trends of XWD and HEQT show almost identical plots. Did I miss something? What are the MERs?
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on March 15, 2024
Q: Good morning,

In one response to a question on the choice of a International exposure ETF, the 5i preference was VEQT, XEQT and XWD in that order.

Q1. Has you opinion of the order of these Global ETFs changed in any way and given XWD's 5 and 10 year performance?

Q2. Would you kindly explain your rational for ranking XWD ahead of VEQT and XEQT and even HEQT.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing your response.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on March 13, 2024
Q: Good morning,


I am not crystal clear on the most tax efficient account to hold each of the above listed ETFs and before moving any of them to another type of account, I would very much appreciate your guidance on the most tax efficient type of account to hold each of the above listed ETFs.

The above listed ETFs are all held in our family Registered (RRSP/TFSA/RESP) and Non-Registered accounts.

Thank you and I'll await your sage advice.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on March 11, 2024
Q: My question yesterday did not seem to go through as it did not show up in "My Questions".
In reading your newsletter "What Investments to hold in your TFSA or RRIF" - I hold the above 4 ETF's in my TFSA and was wondering if they should be in this account?
I interpret your information as they should not be in an TFSA.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Terry on November 23, 2023
Q: I have the above ETF's in my TFSA and am wondering if these belong in a TFSA? On reading your newsletter "Investments to hold in your TFSA" , I interpreted this to mean they do not belong in the TFSA. Am I right?
Thanks for your response.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on November 23, 2023
Q: Hi there, there are many "all in one" etfs to pick from these days. If a person wanted to have a super simple portfolio, what would be your favourite (or the best) ETF to hold to gain 100% equity exposure that would require the least amount of maintenance? I know there is XEQT, VEQT, XAW, VXC, XWD, HGRO and many more. What would be your favourite? (Does not have to appear on the ones I have listed)

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on August 02, 2023
Q: Happy New Year to all at 5i!!!!! I have both of these ETFs in an unregistered account. I have held them for a while. XWD seems to be out performing XEF. I am tidying up my portfolio and am contemplating conglomerating XEF with XWD, and I would welcome your thoughts on this move.

Cheers,
Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on January 04, 2023
Q: Would like a current opinion on this mutual fund?
Is the fees worth the returns or would a global ETF perform better?
Greatly appreciate your opinion.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 11, 2022
Q: What do you suggest using as a benchmark for sector allocations? I have been looking at global market sector exposures using the iShares MSCI World ETF (XWD). I also saw the Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT), which I believe has more small-cap exposure than MSCI World. If the global market is a good base to use, do you see any reason to deviate from these exposures at the moment?

I assume I shouldn't look at regional exposures the same way, the global market is heavily weighted toward US (60-70%). Would regional exposure for something like VGRO (equity only - US 43% / Canada 30% / International Developed 20% / Emerging 7%) be a good benchmark?
Read Answer Asked by Alexander on February 15, 2022
Q: Just did a revue of my PORTFOLIO ANALYTICS and have a couple of questions as follows:
Under Fixed Income Defensive I have CBO, VGG & ZDI in my TFSA. Are these okay here or can be added to or any deleted?
Under International Allocations I have VXC, XAW, XEF, VEU & XWD in the TFSA. Are these okay as they are or shoud I be considering some changes?
Best wishes for the New Year and thanks for your great service!
Read Answer Asked by Terry on January 11, 2022
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 Asked by Dev on January 04, 2022
Q: I am looking to finally replace the following mutual funds held in a self admin RSP account, to equivalent ETFs.
FID269 - Fid Monthly Inc;
FID5973 - Fid Global Innovation;
FID207 - Fid Global Concentrated Equity;
RBC460 - Sel Bal Ptf
TDB2760 - Td Retirement Balance
TDB652 - Td Global Entertainment & communication
TDB976 - Td Health Science
TDB2580 Td Tactical Monthly Inc
My goal is to replace these mutual funds with long term, high yielding where possible, low MER, CDN or US $ equivalent ETFs. Please provide 2 or 3 suggestions for each. Please deduct as many credit s as need.
Thank you for all the invaluable investment help you provide.


Read Answer Asked by Mark on October 15, 2021
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