Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,
I have a few of questions about a few tech ETF's - please deduct as many points as you think appropriate.
In comparing XIT to TXF.B I note that XIT has a better 5 year annualized return (16.03% to 7.87%) but TXF.B has outperformed XIT over the past 3 year annualized period by 10.23% to 8.38%. In addition, TXF.B pays a very healthy distribution (over 9% annually) while XIT pays none. And then finally, XIT is all Canadian and has over 75% of its NAV wrapped up in 4 names - CSU, SHOP, CGI and OTEX.
All that being the case, I wonder:
Is XIT too dependent on just a few names that are all in one geography to have the safety one expects (hopes for at least) in an ETF, both looked at in isolation and also when compared to a name like TXF.B?
XIT obviously hit it big with those 4 names (and especially CSU I'd think) but is its good return likely to continue into the future with so much reliance on so few contributors, all of which are in Canada?
Is there a site that does the hard work of comparing the actual returns of ETFs by analyzing the combination of capital gain combined with the contribution of distributions so that it's possible to get a true idea of the performance of an ETF like TXF.B with its 9% /year distribution compared to XIT's zero payout? and finally:
Between a hedged ETF like TXF vs an unhedged ETF like TXF.B which have identical holdings, which would you expect to do better over the next 3 years or so, and why? I note that unhedged TXE.B has outperformed hedged TXF over the past number of years, and I wonder if you think this trend will continue.
Thanks 5i, I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Peter

Q: I have in my wife's TFSA: BIP.UN, SIS, SPB, STC and ETF XIT. First 3 holdings for long time. STC down 78% - ouch, XIT about even now but holds two dogs LSP and SHOP. Was thinking of selling STC and XIT and buying AD.UN and KMP.UN. We are holding $72K in cash as well. Ideas/suggestions appreciated. She already owns GSY and GRT.UN in RRSP - purchased last year. A lot of stocks are up a fair bit - so, do not see any bargains.

Q: If you were to consider 5 sector ETFs based on current price and future prospects, what would they be?

Please recommend your favourite ETF for each on the TSX unless it's only available in USD.

Would the beaten down USA sector (eg. XUU) be part of your thinking?

Q: My son has a small portfolio consisting of two ETF’s and seven stocks (CN, AAXN, NVDA, CRWD, DDOG, DIS, TTWO). We have picked stocks that have good potential, but that are also fun for him to follow. He is using the ETF’s to give his portfolio some diversification with 20% in ZSP and 15% in XIT. He is investing for the long term. He now has some extra cash to buy another stock or two. Would you have some suggestions? We are also thinking of selling XIT and splitting the proceeds between CSU and maybe one other stock. Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

Q: Hi

Thank you for your reply below.

We will not be selling our BRK,B.

We can not afford to buy a worthwhile position in CSU without selling BRK.B.

Another factor is that BRK.B is in our RRSP accounts, and the capital gains becomes an issue if we go to our cash accounts.

Would it make sense to add to XIT as CSU is its largest holding.

Its a situation of having champagne taste on a beer pocket book.

Thanks again

Mike





Question:
Hello I am low in Tech and high in Financials. Thinking of selling my BRK.B and buying CSU. Your comments or your suggestions are most welcome. Thank you Mike

Answer:
We would consider both of these to be very high quality stocks, and would be fine with this switch if it matches one's sector goals. Because BRK.B is so solid, though, we might consider swapping something else if there are other financial stocks to choose from.

Q: Can you recommend an ETF or two that focusses on the Canadian technology sector?

Q: Hi there, in an otherwise diversified portfolio with no technology stocks, is there Canadian dollar ETF of all or mostly US tech stocks?

Thanks,
Andrea

Q: When NNRG reaches my next target price, I plan to do some additional trimming (for asset allocation reasons, as well as to fund some topping up of existing positions in my TFSA.

In which order would you add to the following, based on where we are at in the market cycle and where you see the best current value: XIT, PBH, PLC. Please add a brief reason why the sequence.

Thanks...Steve

Q: Hello,

Please recommend some total market ETFs for the Canadian market, the American Market, for growth, for income, and/or the best overall in your opinion.

Thanks,

Mark

Q: Historically speaking, what is the average rate of return of ETF’s compared to individual stocks?

Q: I am thinking of investing in these three ETFs because I believe we are getting near the bottom of the market and all three of these ETFs have good growth prospects over the next 2 years. Would you agree with my thinking?

Thanks. David

Q: hi, if I sold stocks for a loss that are in XIT, and then buy XIT as a proxy and hold for a month, then buy the stocks I sold (that are in XIT) back after waiting a month, do I get the capital loss? (ie even though I owned the equities in the XIT)?? thanks, chris

Q: Is it too soon to start adding to this ETF or would you hold off for the next couple of months, expecting more downside. I am down about 16 percent at the moment..

Thanks, Lesley

Q: Please suggest some growth etfs and stocks for starting RESP for long term hold. Thanks for great service.

Q: If the fear of higher interest rates was causing the share prices of tech companies to fall, why would share prices rise today (April 13) with the announcement of a 0.5% rate increase?
Puzzled...Steve

Q: I have owned XIT since 2017 and use it as a proxy for my technology allocation. Based on trying to keep relatively close to my allocation targets, I have trimmed it 14 times and added it 3 times (most recently adding at $47 and $41.

It looks to my amateur eyes that we are near a reasonably strong technical support level of +/- $41, which leads me to consider topping up to my target weighting again. In January I also thought we had support at $46-47...wrong.

However, the forecasted aggressive interest rate hikes might be a headwind to each of the underlying stocks, in which case I am more than happy to sit on the cash to see what happens with the next rate increase or two.

So, it really comes down to SHOP, CSU, GIB.A, OTEX (over 74% of XIT). When you look at each individually, and then in aggregate, what does your crystal ball say for adding at this time? I suspect your answer would include...if it is an asset allocation question, just add/sell now.

Your thoughts? Thanks...Steve

Q: HI,

Do you think its time to get back to tech stocks? I already own CSU. If so, can u rank the CDN teck stocks (CTS, DSG, XIT, ZQQ, KXS, LSPD, Shop) based on reliable growth and manageable volatility? if you have better ideas please include them.

Q: Thoughts on XIT?

Q: Hi 5i
We don't have any Canadian tech companies but lots of AAPL, GOOGL and NVDA. With current pullback, SHOP and XIT are down a lot (70% and 40% off highs) but CSU only about 15%. Would you buy CSU or XIT?
Thanks,
Greg

Q: XIT is a capped technology ETF. How often is the ETF holdings rebalanced ? With the recent downfall of SHOP, Yahoo Finance still shows SHOP at 27.7% of XIT but Morningstar at 14.1%. Who is right ? Good day.