Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i,

Could you recommend 2 to 3 ETF's for a long term hold in a RESP.

Thanks

Q: I have a cash account with CDN stocks and CDRs. I am retired but will not need to dip into this account for at least 5 years. I am thinking of converting all the holdings into 5 or 6 etfs, all in CDN$, to reduce my time managing this account, while still holding the probability of a reasonable amount of growth.
I have not yet started the switch over but at the moment my list is : XIU and WXM for 30% Canadian; ZSP, XQQ and FCMO for 60% US; and VE for 10% other.
The usual questions about the overall strategy, alternative/better ETFs to hold, or other suggestions.
Thanks
Elliott

Q: I am building a small non-registered portfolio to provide income with modest capital appreciation. Your thought on these 4 ETFs or other suggestion.

Q: Hi team. A few months ago I asked about the best stocks and/or ETFs for my 32 year old son to invest $12K of RRSP $. We didn't get to this yet.... In the past you recommended a few ETFs. What would you recommend today. I'll help him get this invested through a self directed plan next week. Thank you!

Q: As a follow up to my previous question, in which you suggested the following ETFs: VIU, XIU and ZSP as a way to save 10% of my income for retirement, do you prefer XIU over XIC for retirement investments over a 20 year span. If so, why? Thank you again for your great service.

Q: Thank you for your great service. I have read The Wealthy Barber and was wondering what your thoughts are on the 10% rule (i.e. investing 10% of your income) and if, as a 35 year old, dollar cost averaging into a mutual fund/etf is one of the best ways to save for my retirement? Could you recommend an etf that would be suitable for this investment strategy? Thank you.

Q: hi
I’m trying to build a simple ETF portfolio with TSX & S&P500 exposure so that’s it’s easy to add during dips.
For the S&P500 i’m thinking XSP.
Not sure what to do about the TSX. Undecided on XIU, XEI or XDIV. I realize the composition of each is different. Energy, Financials, Utilities etc. What would you do?
Thanks

Q: I am holding a substantial amount of US funds. With people getting out of US stock market and the downward trend of the American dollar, I would like to know your recommendations. Should I buy Canadian stocks, Canadian Cash ETFs or leave the funds in the US until the tariffs are settled?

Q: Hi, I am supporting my 32 year old son in investing a very modest RRSP - $12K total. Given his age, can you recommend a solid set of ETFs or Stocks to get him started?

Thx

Kathryn

Q: Hi. I recently transferred $20,000 into my RRSP Direct Investing account. I would like to invest the money into some quality ETFs, perhaps three or four. I know you are not clairvoyants, however based on geo-politics and recent tariff threats, which ETFs (either Canadian, American or other parts of the world) would you invest in at this particular time. It would be for a 2/3 year hold. Thanks for the advice in advance.

Q: A friend is several years from retirement and is in this (quite good) finanical situation: a teacher who will get an Ontario Teachers' indexed DB pension, CPP and OAS. Owns a modest home in Toronto with no mortgage. No dependents. No debt. Can supplement income after retirement by continuing to teach at about a 20% course load. These income sources would more than cover her living expenses.
She also has an RSP that is currently managed by a financial advisor and holds mutual funds. Friend is asking if she should leave the advisor due to fees and his very conservative management. The RSP has underperformed the markets for an extended period. He sold her holdings at COVID bottom "to avoid further losses" and has said that "at her age" (about 60) she should stay away from equities and hold money market funds or bonds. Since my friend is not financially sophisticated, but is interested in learning, I am thinking a self-directed RSP holding several ETFs might be an alternative for her. Could you suggest three to five ETFs that would provide more growth potential in the 8 to 10 years before mandatory RIF conversion.

Q: Could you please tell me your top suggestions for low cost diversified index funds in non US markets?

Q: Can you please share your favourite ETF for Dow Jones, S&P500 and TSX

Please share in CDN dollars hedge and unhedged. Plus in USA dollars

Thanks for the great service.

Q: I have CAD to invest in Canadian-dollar denominated ETFs: (1) Canadian stocks - VGG. XIU XIC XDIV; (2) US ETFs in CAD FX - HXS ZUQ ZMID and ZBK and (3) - EU ETF - HXX. How to go about assessing one against the other. Is there a better ETF in each group you would prefer? Would appreciate guidance on which ones are keepers for long-term hold? How would you evaluate them?

Q: Part of our total portfolio is invested in ETFs [non-registered accounts] and one-third is in Canadian-based and Canadian-dollar denominated US ETFs. Another third is in US ETFs - spread among Large Cap Value, Blend and Growth, and SMID. The final third is in Special US ETF - IAI ZBK AIRR PAVE SHLD PPA SMH UTES AND HXX. Your advice is requested as to which ones to over-weight, underweight or sell. Please rank each category, if you would. My lean is less tech/ M7 as already own most.

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.

Q: I hold many of the mag 7 and a few other upcoming AI names in my TFSA and feel i am quite exposed in that area. What ETFs would you recommend for diversifying my portfolio to avoid doubling up? Thanks

Q: I am trying to understand how an ETF like XIU works. Does a shareholder actually own any stocks when they own this etf, or do they just own shares in a fund that tracks the TSX 60, but doesn't actually own the individual companies?

Q: For TSX exposure do you prefer XIC or XIU (or something else?) and why? Thanks.

Q: Hello 5i team, I am a young professional early in my career. I am looking for your top 5 stocks for 20+ year hold. No preference on risk or industry.

thank you